Five problems related to ignition switch have been reported for the 1997 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Ignition switch locked. As a result, the key was unable to come out of the ignition.
Consumer states that after putting keys into the ignition to start vehicle, keys got stuck as a result of the ignition switch locking up. Contacted dealer. Had part replaced dealer unable to remove keys.
When starting the automobile the key was inserted into the ignition, which is made of plastic and the plastic igntion part broke, leaveing the auto unable to start but still with the battery still in the on position.
Transmission gear shift will not engage from park, found a broken shift control cable, replaced. Ignition key turns and does not start car, problem in steering column, rr steering column and replaced link from ignition switch to lock cylinder.
The windshield wipers are multi-speed, but they only run on slow. You have to turn them off and on several tmes to get them to work right. The ignition switch was replaced because when you took the key out the accessories continued to run like the radio would keep on playing with no key in the car . They changed the ignition switch and it helped for a few thousand miles but now the car is out of warranty and the problem is back again. Also I am having problems with the power windows.