I purchased my taurus in dec. 2004 needing new heads for the engine. Before I could drive it in the cold weather I had to let it idle for about 20 mins or it would slip and I would only be able to go 15mph. Mechanic took to transmission shop but they found nothing wrong. I didn't drive the car for six months at a time (2xs) and the transmission is slipping even more now. Motor mounts also need repaired since my engine is jerking back and forth when I press on the pedal. The front passenger tire feels like it wants to fall off when driving 70mph on the freeway. My daughter and I are moving from phx.,az to ft. Hood,texas to be with my brothers wife while he is in afghanistan. Do you think I can at least make it to texas without it stranding us. Because with all things aside that car has been through a lot with me. I love my ford! Plus I can't afford to buy another one so hopefully this one is going to hang in there.
1997 Ford Taurus: jerking or lurching
19 of the 768 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 50,000
- recalls
- 2
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
While braking at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated and lurched forward into the rear bumper of another vehicle.
While driving vehicle stopped accelerating, jerked backward, then forward. This was caused by internal automatic transmission failure, per the dealership. Transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred. *ak
Right rear window won't always close after opening. Transmission slips during low speed starts through intersection or parking lot. Feels like it is in neutral. Then when transmission engages, it suddenly lurches chirpping the tires.
The transmission leaked a liquid substance which caused the vehicle to jerk and made the gears difficult to switch.
Vehicle jerks heavily and the engine light comes on. Dealer has been notified. Ph
Transmission disengaged when coming to a stop. When transmission reengagedf vehicle would jerk forward. Dealership was aware of problem.
While driving vehicle suddenly jerked forward and then stalled out. Have contacted dealership.
Transmission would jerk when shifting into gear. Felt like being rearended. Finally transmission quit working. Towed to dealership, and informed by mechanic transmission needed to be replaced due to being non repairable.*ak
Symptoms of problem: when car comes to a stop the clutch can disengage unexpectedly. Once gas is applied, it varies in the amount of time the car will re-engage and will abrubtly lurch forward. This results in unintended and unexpected vehicle movement which can result in personal injury and property damage. I was advised by my dealership that this was a known defect in the transmission. The mechanic advised that the forward clutch piston collapses and requires the transmission to be rebuilt or sometimes replaced. The dealership has advised this defect has been corrected in later models but previous models will not be fixed unless requested by the owner at his or her expense. I did some research and there are several stories on the internet of the same failures with ford taurus transmissions at varying mileage levels, one as little as 40,000. I am concerned that the loss of engagement or unpredictable re-engagement can cause loss of property damage and personal injury. Please investigate. Thank you.
Transmission has been slipping between 2nd and 3rd gears for 3 months, now it jerks very hard and RPM's get very hi being stuck in first gear. Had to replace transmission.
The transmission shifts up and down when you maintain a steady speed of approx. 60 miles an hour. The whole car jerks when this happens. It feels like the power to the car turns off it is such a hard shift. I reported this problem at 32,000 miles to jim skinner ford. They said that there is nothing wrong with it, "taurus's do that". It also jerks really hard when I shift from park to drive but they said this is normal also. Periodically, when you come to a stop it surges forward.
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 jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
19 of 768 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus (2%) mention jerking or lurching. 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 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 20Brake 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 6Hesitation 5Won't start 5
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