1997 Ford Taurus Sho problems

Filed Aug 19, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 122,000 miles · SC · crash

Accelerated as normal to 30mph, released the accelerator pedal, and the car kept accelerating up to at least 50mph. Failed to steer 90 degrees left, resulting in the car jumping the curb. Lost control in damp grass, and ran into a tree.

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Suspension · 139,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford sho taurus. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH in reverse when the front coil spring broke and shredded the tire. The contact stated that a recall for the 1998 to 2001 ford taurus is directly related to the failure. The failure mileage was 139000. Updated 02/02/10. *lj updated 02/05/10.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Engine · 77,126 miles · IL

Vehicle description: 1997 ford taurus sho ford (fmc) has acknowledged in writing that the problem is manufacturer related, which stems from the yamaha manufactured engine used in sho models. The vehicle would rough idle after 20 mins. On the road, shake aggressively, then shut-off for days at a time in unpredictability. An authorized fmc repair center (mlm) spent over 3-mos, concurrently, working on the vehicle to no avail. See 03/01. The vehicle functioned in this manner from 11/00 (mm/yy) through 04/03, at which time I was left with no other fiscally-viable option but to arrange to have the vehicle returned to fmc- fmc would take no responsibility and place a 7year "repossession" stain on what used to be a great credit score. Timeline: between 11/00 (mm/yy) and 01/01, continued calls were put into fmc regarding my "sho" vehicle. The car would shake aggressively, then shutdown in mid-travel. 01/01: I was told to take the vehicle to mlm. After describing the issue, I was told it would cost $2,200 to service the problem(s). 03/01: the issues with the vehicle were so severe; mlm requested that fmc send out a "field service engineer" to assist them. After a week fmc admitted, which was documented by mlm in writing, that fmc has had "similar problems" with "other shos in the field" and had "no positive fix for them." this suggests that fmc knew of the sho's problems and have purposefully failed/rejected to aid the victims affected. While operating the vehicle, my passengers and I would be placed at tragic and unnecessary risks, as the vehicle would shut-down w/o warning- locking up the steering and causing me to engage in "erratic" (at times) and "precautionary driving maneuvers" while on public roads in order to regain some control of the vehicle and safely steer to the side of the road or highway. This proves malicious intent and deceptive practices perpetrated by fmc. It also proves a formed pattern. Wb

Filed Feb 15, 2008 · Engine · 54,000 miles · IL

Cam sprocket failure. This lead to the engine stopping and loss of power steering and power brakes.

Filed Dec 11, 2006 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · IL

Rear brake line rust through.

Filed Sep 20, 2006 · Engine · 124,851 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH on dry road conditions, all dashboard lights illuminated and went out immediately. There was also smoke coming from the radiator. Under the hood, coolant was observed leaking and the timing chain bracket was fractured. The vehicle would start when attempts where made, but there was a ticking noise. The dealer was contacted and recommended that the manufacturer should be notified. The manufacturer offered no resolutions. Updated 10/6/2006 -

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Engine · 105,000 miles · NJ

1. Driving at city traffic speeds (25-30 MPH) in philadelphia. Car lost power and stalled. Upon restart would immediately stall when idle. 2. Would not stay running, towed to ford dealership 3. Informed by ford dealer that the camshafts were bent and I needed a replacement engine for $13,000.00.

Filed Sep 13, 2005 · Acceleration · CA

My 1997 ford taurus in hot weather will increase speed when I let off the gas causing me to ride the brake.

Filed Sep 5, 2005 · Engine · OH

There was a chain like ticking noise coming from the engine, I as a technician observed it to be a camshaft getting ready to fail, when it failed my pregnant wife was driving luckily on a side road where the vehicle had lost all power and making it nearly impossible to steer, now the 1997 sho just sits b/c I can not afford the expensive repairs! Especially with a baby on the way.

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Engine · 86,000 miles · MI

I own a 1997 ford taurus sho. The first sign of problem began when I kept hearing a tickng sound in the engine. I took it in to a ford dealer and it was diagnosed with a mis- firing cylinder. I could not afford to have the dealer fix it so I found a mechanic willing to work on this type of car. I had the two mis-firing cylinders replaced. The ticking in the engine still went on. Before anything could be done the car acted like the engine had blown. Finding a mechanic that has actually worked on these types of cars is hard to find, inlcuding a ford dealer mechanic. I had a ford mechanic that now works out of his own garage look at the vehicle. The diagnosis was a broken camshaft 4 bad valves and bent pistons. This car only has 86,000 miles on it. The mechanic feels that this is a design flaw in the engine. I have also done research into a class action lawsuit against ford regarding this problem. To date there are 550 vehicles that have had the same problem. This is more than just a freak incident with just my car.