I purchased a used 1997 ford taurus on november the 10th of 2008 from a local dealer. On 11/21/08 at approximately 2100 hours my 17 year old daughter was driving the aforementioned vehicle, when for no apparent reason the vehicle suddenly accelerated by it's self. My daughter tried to stop the vehicle by applying both feet to the brake pedal but was unable to stop the vehicle, at this time she decided to jump from the vehicle. After doing so the vehicle climbed a 6 % grade hill approximately 700 feet through a field, before ramping a 6 foot pile of limestone. The vehicle traveled 14 feet through the air before impating the ground. After impacting the ground the vehicle made a right turn and traveled another 1500 feet before impacting a ditch and a tree. Witnesses stated the vehicle had to be traveling nearly 90 MPH as traveled through the field, the engine was still accelerating after striking the tree. The ignition had to be turned off for the engine to stop accelerating. Total distance the vehicle traveled without my daughter in the vehicle was 2190 feet. Remember the first 700 feet was up hill through a field (the hill was approximately a 6 % grade).
1997 Ford Taurus: sudden unintended acceleration
10 of the 768 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
When at a complete stop consumer applies gas pedal, pedal goes down, but engine does not rev nor is vehicle moving forward. Then all of a suuden, it will surge forward. Sometimes consumer has to shut off engine to get vehicle to respond. Numerous times to dealer, cannot remedy.
While driving throttle system got stuck, causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate, and would not slow down, which may have resulted in a crash. Please provide further information.
Upon starting vehicle and applying the brakes to shift into gear, vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 12 MPH, causing consumer to crash into garage doors. Dealer has been contacted.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while driver was manuvering a curve resulting in the vehicle jumping a ditch,roll over and stop against a power pole upside down. Nlm
While stopping vehicle will lunge forward, and may cause a crash. Dealer cannot determine the cause.
Consumer has been experiencing problems with vehicle acceleration. While driving, vehicle would accelerate for unknown reason. Vehicle has been in/out of dealer shop on several occasions . Dealer informed consumer that nothing could be found. Sudden acceleration has caused vehicle to be in one accident. Vehicle has been repaired, but condition still remains.
Sudden acceleration, causing accident/injuries.
Vehicle has been experiencing erratic operation with sudden acceleration.
Cause of sudden acceleration cannot be determined.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Information regarding slight vibration upon acceleration
- Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start / long crank, cold start stall, cold rough idle concern
- Some vehicles may exhibit a slight vibration during acceleration only
- Engine spark knock on acceleration
- Exhibiting a vibration at sppeds of 45 mph and above with the cruise on.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Ford Taurus sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
10 of 768 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus (1%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
There are 0 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Ford Taurus
Transmission failure 44Stalling 33Slipping 26Loss of power 24Engine failure 21Overheating 20Wipers 20Jerking 19Brake failure 17No deployment 15Check engine light 14Seat belt 13Grinding brakes 12Fuel pump 12Headlights 12Coil spring 11Fire or smoke 11Harsh shifting 11Tire blowout 11Adaptive cruise 10Power steering loss 10Knocking 9ABS 8Won't shift 8Door locks 6Power windows 6Steering noise 6Hesitation 5Won't start 5
VIN decoder
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