1997 Ford Taurus Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 4%of 770 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,536miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Ford Taurus, 4% of the 770 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,536 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Oil light does not come on when low. 2. Engine light always on. 3 when I was driving this winter, the brakes, they locked up on me and I almost had a collision with two other cars but I hit a curb and was able to get my car moving again. 4.car is loud while driving. 5 can't get good gas milage.6.car has developed an oil leak.”
NHTSA complaint #11403159, filed 2021-03, 162,846 miles“I have two essentially identical 19'97 Ford automobiles; a Taurus and a sable. On the Taurus I just had the gas tank replaced because the mechanic said and showed me that it was leaking at the seams. I not ice now a gasoline smell coming from the sable.. Based on two out of two vehicles, I believe that there might be a general problem with Ford gas tanks leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10074647, filed 2004-06, 220,000 miles“The vehicle's fuel pump wires arched which could have caused a fire in the vehicle. Please provide additional information. Fuel pump had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10040187, filed 2003-12, 76,340 miles“1997 Ford Taurus wagon. Over the past two months, the vehicle stopped dead in traffic 5 times at various speeds with no advance warning. It would not restart. The fuse to the fuel pump repeatedly blew, but no other problems were evident each time the car was towed to the garage. The engine would run roughly, stall, and surge, but the problem was intermittent, and gradually became worse. The mechanic suspected a problem with the fuel system. An investigation revealed that a wire to the fuel pump inside the fuel tank had its insulation worn off down to the bare wire, and had shorted out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10021062, filed 2003-06, 36,193 miles“The engine often stalls during a heavy rain or after running through puddles of water. The dealer told me it neded a revised air cleaner . If I understand the problem correctly water is sucked up through the air cleaner causing the engine to stall. The revised air cleaner is a different design which prevents this from happening.”
NHTSA complaint #716947, filed 2000-01Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 7 | 8% |
| 2015 | 73 | 26% |
| 2014 | 71 | 31% |
| 2013 | 107 | 18% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 18 | 6% |
| 2005 | 41 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 4% |
| 2003 | 24 | 2% |
| 2002 | 27 | 2% |
| 2001 | 23 | 2% |
| 2000 | 66 | 6% |
| 1999 | 35 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 2% |
| 1997 | 33 | 4% |
| 1996 | 19 | 2% |
| 1995 | 53 | 4% |
| 1994 | 50 | 5% |
| 1993 | 48 | 3% |
| 1992 | 19 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 2% |
| 1990 | 11 | 3% |
| 1989 | 28 | 5% |
| 1988 | 16 | 5% |
| 1987 | 21 | 8% |
| 1986 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsEngine cooling
145 complaintsBrakes
73 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsSteering
59 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
57 complaintsAir bags
42 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 30, 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