1997 Ford Taurus Sho engine 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 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 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 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.

Filed Apr 24, 2005 · Engine · 120,533 miles · NC

The service engine light stays on has been on for few months. Car seems to run ok but can not get car inspected because of the service engine light. Took the car to auto zone they did a diagnosis and said there where two codes that came up as a failure. I read on your web site that there had been a recall in dec. 2001 on the diagnostic system upgrade.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Engine · 74,500 miles · TN

Camshaft striped out causing engine failure.

Filed Jan 14, 2005 · Engine · 94,440 miles · TX

On december 21, 2004 my 1997 ford taurus sho began making a ticking noise. Two days (and about 20 miles) later, the left exhaust camshaft sprocket failed, causing the car to stall and not restart. As a result of the sprocket slipping, the no. 5 cylinder's piston was cracked due to coming in contact with an open valve (this is an interference engine). 15,000 miles ago, the left intake camshaft sprocket failed, resulting in a $2900.00 repair bill from a ford dealership. Unable to afford the cost of such a repair at this time (not to mention unwilling to deal with the same ford customer service that wanted me to believe that this hardly ever happens and that I must have done something to cause it the first time), I opted to attempt the procedure myself. After finding and removing the faulty camshaft, I thought my problems were solved until I changed the spark plugs. The no. 5 cylinder plug was covered in oil, which means there is a bad piston/ring, and most likely valves. I am considering my options to repair or part the car out now. I believe this needs to be addressed immediately by ford due to the safety issues that will arise when this happens to someone on a freeway. The loss of power brakes and steering that are associated with a stalled engine could make it difficult to maneuver through traffic to a "safe" spot on the shoulder. There is quite a bit of information on this issue at www.v8sho.com (it's interesting to see so many registered failures without the acknowledgement of a problem by ford).