Four problems related to noises during shifting have been reported for the 1997 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving and coming to a complete stop, the automatic transmission didn't shift properly. It would shift from drive to neutral and make loud noise. The consumer's wife was driving when the incident occurred leaving her in a precarious position. By jiggling the shift lever, she was able to shift into reverse then into drive. This had been a common problem for 1991-1998 models. Ford would not take responsibility.
1997 Taurus with 75000 miles, bought new. Transmission began slipping into neutral when coming to a stop. Then would either bang into gear when accelerating, or would have to place the car in park, turn off the engine, restart the engine, and place it in drive. Often all would be fine for 2-3 weeks, then the transmission would act up again. After three or four months of this the transmission began slipping when accelerating from a dead stop. There are no unusual noises, the transmission fluid is clean and full, and the transmission appears to shift fine once I get going. I called Ford motor company and they have no recalls or known defects (of course). The dealer urged me not drive the car and bring it into the shop right away. He said it would likely cost between $1300 and $2600 to repair.
Appears to be a defective design of safety critical component. While accelerating to 40 mph heard loud bang and front of car jumped. Sudden failure/no previous warning signs. Owner (me) suspected transmission or engine mount. Drove home (3 mi. ) at speed less than 30--transmission continued to shift ok but would jolt on up shift. Made noise / "bumped" on turning at very low speed. Dealer had recently serviced transmission (35,578 mi. ). Dealers said 2/3 hardened bolts sheared and 1/3 was loose in front? lower block mount loose. Dealer claims no other damage resulted / will later result-we shall see. Took approx 6 hr labor to repair. Dealer said if owner had not had extended warrantee on drive train, owner would have had to pay all out of pocket. Mount bolts/bracket is such that owner can not easily check- have to remove caty convt & r front engine mount for access. Bracket bolts in triangular pattern in lower block- front?. Veh never in accident or struck; in vg cond. Veh had 12,000 mi when purchased from dealer's service mgr's wife. Driven on paved roads 8-12 mi/day 55 mph max. Not hotrodded. Am intersted if same problem in other Taurus sho v8 models.
Fails to shift into 2nd or sometimes 3rd gear. Engine races in nuetral and car decelerates. Then very harsh shift into gear with tire noise and bang in transmission.