Consumer stated there is a reoccurring problem with the automatic transmission, which is causing vehicle to hesitate when driving up on an incline, dealer and manufacturer were notified.*ak consumer also stated this happens when driving on a leveled surface.
1997 Ford Taurus: hesitation when accelerating
5 of the 768 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus describe hesitation when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 40 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Hesitation when accelerating by model year
What owners say
Vehicle would hesitate & wouldn't stay running. Wires for fuel pump had rubbed against flex hose, causing it to expose the wires & short out. Dealer cold do nothing because no recall. *ak also the cv joints failed and the transmission pan cracked. The brakes vibrated causing the steering to vibrate terrebly. The vehicle, the consumer says, must be defective.
Experienced transmission hesitation while slowing down into a turn and rough transition ( banging) when reapplying acceleration coming out of the turn. Ford dealer reports after diagnostic and tear down that problem was in transmission forward clutches and torque convertor and needed replacement. Transmission only has 48500 miles and only 3 years old. Problem started about 46000 miles with only subtle rough transient shifting at first. Problem grew worse with banging and whole car vibration at times. Ford customer service center has been contacted and will contact service manager for a detailed explanation of what could have caused problem so that a decision can be reached for an out of warranty component financial assistance situation.
Intermittently when making a stop transmission does not shift down to the last gear. Vehicle hesitates to shift down. When taking off, the transmission does not engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer two times before the transmisson was finally replaced. *ak.et.
Vehicle initially lost power on incline and regained on decline, until total loss of power after 2-5 MPH. Occurred on four occasions, on highway trips. Dealer initially reprogrammed computer then replaced fuel pump relay. After fourth occasion, replaced fuel pump. Also, transmission is sluggish, difficulty gaining speed on initial acceleration. Then suddenly surges/hesistates and moves erratically into gear. Vehicle hesitates and acts as if it stalls out.
Service bulletins that may apply
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
- Some vehicles may exhibit a park pullout clunk noise when shifting from park to another gear position
- Brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles may exhibit a harsh 2-3 shift after installing a remanufactured automatic transaxle
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
- Risk
- The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Recall number 97V097000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Ford Taurus hesitation
Is hesitation when accelerating a common problem on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
5 of 768 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus (1%) mention hesitation when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 1993.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
There are 2 recalls and 40 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 10Sudden acceleration 10Knocking 9ABS 8Won't shift 8Door locks 6Power windows 6Steering noise 6Won't start 5
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