1997 Ford Taurus Consumer Reviews

Love it

Written by: Angelina0888 on 09/03/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Wagon

Review

Ok they do have trouble, yeah mine doesn't start right. The paint is chipping, back window doesn't work right, needs a tune up. But I love it. Better then the 03 Sable I had that broke down at 53000 miles.

Favorite Features

She goes

Suggested Improvements

Electric, mostly doors and windows. And forget electric AC controls, they mess up everything

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Amazing Product

Written by: SixxiA on 06/03/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr G Sedan

Review

This car was designed to be the most comfortable ride of 1997. As far as reliability goes, my car has sputtered before and had trouble accelerating, but only on occasion and only while cold, but all cars will do that after 100,000 miles. Amazing car, it's got all of the features a consumer needs and average gas mileage. I've repaired the car, but only at the mileage where it would be expected.

Favorite Features

Centralized climate controls and radio, powerful air conditioning, great ride with great power.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign of headlights.

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Good car for the price

Written by: Jim on 05/10/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

I bought this car in 2003 with 93K miles on it. The trans was rebuilt at 81k miles (OD went out, trans was never flushed at 30K increments). Now I have 151K on the car and the engine and trans are running great. A must have, is the 3.0 DOHC engine. The bad points are that it eats up front rotors. I change them every 6-8 months. Also, ball joints and front brgs had to be replaced, along with various emissions sensors and engine hoses. Normal stuff, when over 100K? I do most of the repairs myself. If I had to take it to a dealer for repairs, I'd be broke! Dealer parts and labor costs are expensive! But, for the price of the car and the great gas mileage, 26 mpg average, you can't beat it.

Favorite Features

Sporty look and feel, for a wagon? Great gas mileage, 26-30 mpg. lots of room for the family.

Suggested Improvements

Front brake rotors. (Rear brake rotors are too small, causing front brakes to work harder) Better interior quality and hardware. (Plastics come apart)

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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It's a Ford, What do you except?

Written by: Crystal on 04/07/2008

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I got my 97 Taurus a little less than an year ago, and if I had the chance it would take a trip right back were it came from. When the car came to us the battery was dead, and it was a mess such as to it's dirtiness (it was bought out of auction). When we drove the car it had a clunking in the brakes, which that turn into a money spree of new rotors and brakes for all four wheels which never solved the problem till the car died. Which that happened in the first five months of owning it, the cause of the faulty gas gauge a 167 miles left (please try 0) luckly we had AAA to bail us out. After we had it fixed the bill came back for almost a $900 dollars not to count the faulty anti-lock system.

Favorite Features

Not really any favorites to this car.

Suggested Improvements

Brake rotors, brakes, speaker system (right one has a bad runt to it), and can't understand anything. Also work on transmission bugs, the car likes to slip alot and it has a tendency to accelerate around corners slow. Also it leaks oil like no tommrow

2 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Cant kill it

Written by: Brian839297 on 12/08/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

This is a great car! I got the car for $400 because someone ran it with no oil after changing the oil. I put a set of lifters, oil pump, and a new cam sensor drive in it a drove it 12,000 miles no problem. I beat on this car pretty bad every day and it always comes back for more lol. For having about $650 in the car I couldnt be happier. It also has the original heads and trans that dont slip!

Favorite Features

Cheap parts, good MPG (22 city, 30 highway), great power, smooth riding, takes abuse well

Suggested Improvements

The tranys in all the older Taurus's shift kind of strange that is it!

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love our Taurus

Written by: artphelps on 07/19/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr LX Wagon

Review

Most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. Great car. Sorry it is no longer made. Had a power steering whine or moan that was due to a crack in the reservoir, low cost to fix.

Favorite Features

Styling, I like the oval everything! Great mileage: 28 MPG highway! Recommend 205-75R15 tires for a smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Just Say No!

Written by: hrfletch on 07/09/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

I thought I got a great deal on this car. Boy, was I wrong, sensor in tranny went out within 3 weeks of purchase. I've spent more on this car than I purchased it for. I heard bad things about Fords before, now I understand why. Everything seems to be set up to cost us more money and put more in Ford's pocket? Had electrical fire with it the other day for no apparent reason. The air conditioner just shut off and it started smoking under the hood. The relay fuse melted and fried the wires and component that the fuse plugs in to. I wish I would've headed advice of friends. This car should have been made more reliable. Ford didn't do a good job on this one. Parts are expensive and are not easily accessible when repairing.

Favorite Features

Spacious trunk, nice space inside. Position of cruise control (on steering wheel)

Suggested Improvements

Transmission and all related sensors. Multiple electrical problems. Still can't figure out what's causing air conditioner problems. Door ajar sensor. Power steering. Two bad window motors. Horrible gas mileage. Bad location of radiator. Not a reliable car.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Rust Bucket

Written by: Brian Rogers on 04/21/2007

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

Have had this car for five years. It has 104,000 miles on it. Had to replace camshaft position sensor. Other problems include two wheel bearing replacements at 60,000 miles, warped rotors, replaced power steering pump at 98,000. Worst problem if you live in the northeast. The plastic rocker panel trim holds the salt and water against the body along the bottom below the doors. The metal is completely eaten away, and now the car cannot be lifted on an automobile lift.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Taurus GL

Written by: Greg on 12/09/2006

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

This is the best car I've owned. Proper maintenance and care goes a long ways, I bought this car with 51,000 miles on it and now have almost 150,000 on it. I haven't done much to it except proper maintenance like regular oil changes, tire rotation, cooling and tranny flushing, and brakes. I live in a cold weather climate and has never failed at starting and it never gets plugged in. Regular maintenance on any car will go a long ways.

Favorite Features

Body hasn't rusted, roomy car for a big guy, back seats flip down, excellent acceleration, motor is quiet.

Suggested Improvements

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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overall opinion

Written by: ford taurus on 12/08/2006

Vehicle

1997 Ford Taurus 4 Dr GL Sedan

Review

This was my first Ford. Mechanically, it is the best car I have owned. Except for emission control repairs, the car has never been in the shop. I replaced the steering stabilizers at 128,000 miles and the idler pulley at 136,500 myself.

Favorite Features

Mechanically sound.

Suggested Improvements

Dashboard/control panel separation immediately in front of steering wheel due to excessive heat from sunlight.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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