1997 Ford Taurus Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 145about this part
- Share
- 19%of 770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,734miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 145 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford Taurus, 19% of the 770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,734 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My fiancee's head gasket is blown on her 1997 Ford Taurus (spelling). Is this normal because the mechanic that we went to said oh I bet I know what is wrong with this car. I bet the headgasket is blown. How long is this head gasket supposed to last. She only has 140,000 miles on her car and does regular maintanence on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10113867, filed 2005-03, 141,000 miles“Service engine light on code#430 and #340. Told by pacifico Ford I have an emission failure and I need 2 catalytic converters and a cam sensor and cam synchronizer on 1/11/2006 at 89044 miles. The dealer replaced the #2 cam parts under warranty on 11/04/2002 at 55616 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10152068, filed 2006-03, 87,734 miles“I have a 97 Ford Taurus gl. The engine caught on fire and the burned rapidly. My family just made it out of the car. I managed to get it away from the house. The house suffered some heat damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10297875, filed 2010-01, 180,000 miles“1997 Ford Taurus. Car began rough idling at cold start. After warming up would run fine. Took to mechanic twice. They did not know problem said it was safe to drive. Car only had 80,000 miles on it at the time. Car eventually started losing anti-freeze (not leaking, just turning up low every couple of days), exhaust fumes heavy, white smoke from exhaust, gas mileage terrible. I took to my uncle, a mechanic in another city and he knew what it was immediately. As I suspected, head gasket. Will cost $800-1000 to repair. This is my second Ford. Other was a 1995 Ford escort. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078678, filed 2004-06, 80,000 miles“The plastic overflow bottle from the radiator keeps failing. I have replaced it 3 times in the past 4 years,was told at parts store they sell about 5 a month between the Ford Taurus and mercury sable,it is getting costly and Ford has no answer.”
NHTSA complaint #10320237, filed 2010-03, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017916May 1, 2005Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 4 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 28% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 15% |
| 2006 | 19 | 6% |
| 2005 | 40 | 5% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 67 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 4% |
| 2001 | 60 | 6% |
| 2000 | 103 | 9% |
| 1999 | 81 | 9% |
| 1998 | 62 | 11% |
| 1997 | 145 | 19% |
| 1996 | 214 | 26% |
| 1995 | 352 | 29% |
| 1994 | 289 | 31% |
| 1993 | 638 | 41% |
| 1992 | 217 | 32% |
| 1991 | 116 | 18% |
| 1990 | 78 | 20% |
| 1989 | 97 | 17% |
| 1988 | 67 | 20% |
| 1987 | 40 | 16% |
| 1986 | 22 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsBrakes
73 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsSteering
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
57 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsEquipment
24 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology