1997 Ford Taurus Consumer Reviews

Nice When It Runs

Written by: John on 04/23/2009

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

Bought this 97' Fully loaded taurus gl 22months ago and since it has been one problem after the next, literally. When I purchased the car it needed a muffler and welding done to the holi headders. A couple months later a poppin noise came from the passenger front end, a month or two later I replaced the half shaft. A month later a noise came from the front end again, wheel bearings and tie rod, 170000 miles. A couple months later the car revedded high as I accelerated, trans range sensor, 178k. 7k later the alter and trans gave. Then the waterpump and serp. belt. Last month the coolant resovoir and upper/lower intake gaskets were replaced. Leaks coolant on and off, y? 4 studs broke also, y?

Favorite Features

Positioning of radio, drivers seat, steering wheel, cruise control, brakes great, accelerates ok, economical, easy to work on, speakers excellent, no static on full volume and very loud, great paint, glossy and thick.

Suggested Improvements

Higher quality parts, transmission needs modifications, if the mechanical quality was as good as the speakers and accessories which work this would be amongst my favs of affordable sedans. Will never buy a new ford because of their refusal to own up to their manufacturing error on transmission.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Seems good so far

Written by: Leon on 01/19/2009

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I had the car for about a month. Bought it from an elderly lady. Took excellent care of it. Rides very smooth and have no problems and has a quick V6.

Favorite Features

I like the trunk release from the remote goes all the way up. Also the turn signal on the side bumper.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage and bigger headrest

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not Bad

Written by: jman on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Wagon

Review

Had the car for three years then started to have few problems like head gaskets, hinges for back window etc. and was not the car we had.

Favorite Features

A/C, MPG, seats

Suggested Improvements

Engine repair difficulty

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Love it

Written by: Angelina0888 on 09/03/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Wagon

Review

Ok they do have trouble, yeah mine doesn't start right. The paint is chipping, back window doesn't work right, needs a tune up. But I love it. Better then the 03 Sable I had that broke down at 53000 miles.

Favorite Features

She goes

Suggested Improvements

Electric, mostly doors and windows. And forget electric AC controls, they mess up everything

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Amazing Product

Written by: SixxiA on 06/03/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr G Sedan

Review

This car was designed to be the most comfortable ride of 1997. As far as reliability goes, my car has sputtered before and had trouble accelerating, but only on occasion and only while cold, but all cars will do that after 100,000 miles. Amazing car, it's got all of the features a consumer needs and average gas mileage. I've repaired the car, but only at the mileage where it would be expected.

Favorite Features

Centralized climate controls and radio, powerful air conditioning, great ride with great power.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign of headlights.

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Good car for the price

Written by: Jim on 05/10/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

I bought this car in 2003 with 93K miles on it. The trans was rebuilt at 81k miles (OD went out, trans was never flushed at 30K increments). Now I have 151K on the car and the engine and trans are running great. A must have, is the 3.0 DOHC engine. The bad points are that it eats up front rotors. I change them every 6-8 months. Also, ball joints and front brgs had to be replaced, along with various emissions sensors and engine hoses. Normal stuff, when over 100K? I do most of the repairs myself. If I had to take it to a dealer for repairs, I'd be broke! Dealer parts and labor costs are expensive! But, for the price of the car and the great gas mileage, 26 mpg average, you can't beat it.

Favorite Features

Sporty look and feel, for a wagon? Great gas mileage, 26-30 mpg. lots of room for the family.

Suggested Improvements

Front brake rotors. (Rear brake rotors are too small, causing front brakes to work harder) Better interior quality and hardware. (Plastics come apart)

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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It's a Ford, What do you except?

Written by: Crystal on 04/07/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I got my 97 Taurus a little less than an year ago, and if I had the chance it would take a trip right back were it came from. When the car came to us the battery was dead, and it was a mess such as to it's dirtiness (it was bought out of auction). When we drove the car it had a clunking in the brakes, which that turn into a money spree of new rotors and brakes for all four wheels which never solved the problem till the car died. Which that happened in the first five months of owning it, the cause of the faulty gas gauge a 167 miles left (please try 0) luckly we had AAA to bail us out. After we had it fixed the bill came back for almost a $900 dollars not to count the faulty anti-lock system.

Favorite Features

Not really any favorites to this car.

Suggested Improvements

Brake rotors, brakes, speaker system (right one has a bad runt to it), and can't understand anything. Also work on transmission bugs, the car likes to slip alot and it has a tendency to accelerate around corners slow. Also it leaks oil like no tommrow

2 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Cant kill it

Written by: Brian839297 on 12/08/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

This is a great car! I got the car for $400 because someone ran it with no oil after changing the oil. I put a set of lifters, oil pump, and a new cam sensor drive in it a drove it 12,000 miles no problem. I beat on this car pretty bad every day and it always comes back for more lol. For having about $650 in the car I couldnt be happier. It also has the original heads and trans that dont slip!

Favorite Features

Cheap parts, good MPG (22 city, 30 highway), great power, smooth riding, takes abuse well

Suggested Improvements

The tranys in all the older Taurus's shift kind of strange that is it!

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Love our Taurus

Written by: artphelps on 07/19/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

Most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. Great car. Sorry it is no longer made. Had a power steering whine or moan that was due to a crack in the reservoir, low cost to fix.

Favorite Features

Styling, I like the oval everything! Great mileage: 28 MPG highway! Recommend 205-75R15 tires for a smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Just Say No!

Written by: hrfletch on 07/09/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I thought I got a great deal on this car. Boy, was I wrong, sensor in tranny went out within 3 weeks of purchase. I've spent more on this car than I purchased it for. I heard bad things about Fords before, now I understand why. Everything seems to be set up to cost us more money and put more in Ford's pocket? Had electrical fire with it the other day for no apparent reason. The air conditioner just shut off and it started smoking under the hood. The relay fuse melted and fried the wires and component that the fuse plugs in to. I wish I would've headed advice of friends. This car should have been made more reliable. Ford didn't do a good job on this one. Parts are expensive and are not easily accessible when repairing.

Favorite Features

Spacious trunk, nice space inside. Position of cruise control (on steering wheel)

Suggested Improvements

Transmission and all related sensors. Multiple electrical problems. Still can't figure out what's causing air conditioner problems. Door ajar sensor. Power steering. Two bad window motors. Horrible gas mileage. Bad location of radiator. Not a reliable car.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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