1997 Ford Taurus: engine stalls while driving

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gears and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was jumpstarted. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2013 · Engine · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the dealer had not been able to determine what caused the failure. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Engine · 119,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated as he was driving at 65mph the cam shaft fail. The cam shaft slipped into the motor where everything just shuts down. The warning light illuminated and then the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was told he had to replace the motor. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Engine · 124,851 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated, then smoke came out from under the hood, and the vehicle began to decelerate. A mile later, the engine stalled, the vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed liquid dripping from the engine compartment. The vehicle was restarted and was driven to the contacts residence. Then, the vehicle would start, but not move. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the sprocket that holds the timing chain came loose and the engine needed to be replaced.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Engine · 124,851 miles · OH

When consumer was exiting the freeway engine check light came on and vehicle stopped. Then, smoke started to come from under the hood, and vehicle started to make a noise. From that point on each time vehicle cut off, restarted, and moved a bit. Afterwards, vehicle cut off and consumer restarted it until he got home. Then, had it towed to a private mechanic, who told him that the sprocket came loose. Mechanic attempted to repair the vehicle, but could not because the labor and parts would cost about $6000.00 - $8000.00. Consumer told mechanic not to bother because he could not afford it. He had the vehicle towed back to his home. *ak the cam shaft was broken, 2 cylinders went bad, the transmission was affected, the vehicle would stall possibly due to the coil packs and the struts went bad.

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Transmission · 127,000 miles · NC

Vehicle stalls momentarily and then suddenly jumps into gear while driving. The transmission was replaced 14 months ago at a cost to me of $2684 and now I'm told it needs to be replaced.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 124,000 miles · SC

Speedometer would stop operating and vehicle would stall after driving two miles. Vehicle had been to several repair shops. Each mechanic could not determine the problem. They informed consumer that it might be the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor .

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · Fuel system · MA

Fuel pump shut off switches off by itself for unknown reason while driving at various speeds. This caused vehicle to stall. Vehicle was driven to a local repair shop, and they informed consumer that the fuel pump shut off switch should only operate when the vehicle was involved in a crash.

Filed Jun 4, 2003 · Fuel system · 36,193 miles · VA

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. Other wires also show signs of wear, but are not yet worn through. I have digital pictures of the wires. The wires were damaged due to the way the fuel pump was assembled within the gas tank. This is an obvious manufacturing defect and is not limited to only our car. Ford has issued 3 tsb's relating to this problem (98251, 5226, and 12189) and I have also found several related complaints in the federal safety agency database (odi id 549996, 707889, 713208, 807546, 838030, 853283, 879245, 10018293, and 8012733). I am concerned that this problem could not only cause complete vehicle failure (loss of power steering and brakes) at any speed, but also that the possibility of a spark inside the gas tank is not out of the question. This wiring problem should be investigated as a possible cause for any ford taurus fires, or accidents involving loss of power. We are convinced that this is a manufacturing defect and that the possibility of more related accidents increases as current vehicles age. Ford evidently is aware of this problem, or they would not have revised the wiring harness and given special installation instructions to their technicians.

Filed Sep 21, 2002 · Engine · IA

Driving down freeway, car overheated, then stalled, then wouldnt start. The engine was blown, head gasket blown and there was water in the oil. Have extended warranty thru universal and they are not honoring warranty. Was never informed on the cooling recall.

Filed Aug 18, 2002 · Engine · MI

Cam gear failure, car stalled at 40 MPH in traffic, lost all power, ford motor company has been notified, unwilling to admit any problem with camshaft gear, and will not help with repair bills. 100 documented cases of cam gear failure can be found at www.v8sho.com.

Filed Aug 2, 2002 · Engine · MI

While stopping at a light and without any indication vehicle would stall. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.