general problems of the 1997 Ford Taurus

Oil light does not come on when low. 2. Engine light always on. 3 when I was driving this winter, the brakes, they locked up on me and I almost had a collision with two other cars but I hit a curb and was able to get my car moving again. 4. Car is loud while driving. 5 can't get good gas milage. 6. Car has developed an oil leak.

While the vehicle was parked in the driveway it commenced to roll forward and hit the garage door. Dealer was notified, and informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under a recall.

While braking at a stop sign, the vehicle accelerated and lurched forward into the rear bumper of another vehicle.

When the consumer released the brake the vehicle bolted backwards and struck a building. The consumer found out the a recall was issued for 1997 Taurus' for the automatic transmission, however his vehicle was not included.

The automatic transmission failed to shift properly. When coming to a complete stop at a stop light, etc. , the transmission disengages, especially to the overdrive position. The vehicle won't move unless the vehicle revved. The problem can immediately be corrected by turning off the engine in park and restarting. This problem usually will occur 3-4 time per day. The dealer cannot duplicate.

Car was at a complkete stop in a parking space, when it suddinly accelerated uncontrolable forward and stopped when it hit a tree/.

Randomly vehicle races and surges forward if it is in drive. If in reverse, it surges backward. Consumer stated he has had an accident because of this problem. The manufacturer declined to take the responsibility for the problem.

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.

Coming to a stop at a red light and the engine racing and pulling. Consumer contacted dealer.

The car will not drive at 25mph without breaking since the idle will run at 1500 rpm or more. The car has been to the dealer several times but they can't find the problem. The car will continue to pull as if it is accelerating until you brake to 0 mph then idle seams ok. Ford must have a problem since I have seen a lot of reports like this. I will not buy another Ford product if this is what their cars are like.

I put my car in reverse to back out of a parking space. I hit a concrete pole which was located in the parking lot. The accident occurred when I braked to shift from reverse to drive. The car took off leaving black marks 9 feet long. I did not have a chance to hit the accelerator. The car was acting on its own. I hit the front of the store. The only thing that stopped my car was the steel door frame and the brick building. My car was still moving after I got out because I had not put it into park and turned it off. I had jumped out quickly because glass was coming through my sunroof onto me. A witness said "OH my god, your car is still moving. " I had to get back into the vehicle to put it into park and turn the ignition off. This proves that the car was getting fuel somewhere besides me. I feel as though the fuel shut off button located in the trunk should have prevented this accident. But it did not work; in fact, I am thinking something malfunctioned and instead of shutting fuel off the car was getting fuel wide open.

Whenever coming to a complete stop or slowing down and pressing on brakes,vehicle will accelerate. Contacted dealer, and dealer said they don't see anything wrong with vehicle.

While stopping vehicle will lunge forward, and may cause a crash. Dealer cannot determine the cause.

Best way to describe is throttle "sticks" it is an electronics control problem but similar to older cars where auto chokes stuck, when coming to a stop engine will continue at 2500 to 3000 rpm and you have to stand on the brakes to stop. Problem is ongoing and has been demonstrated to two different dealers with many visits over last two years with no result. One dealer told me that Ford knows about problem but has no good fix. It is very dangerous at times as car will cruise at 30 mph with foot off throttle. It will usually idle down after a few seconds but very dangerous in garage and parking situations. Also if you accelerate (as when pulling out into an intersection) and than suddenly lift off the throttle, it continues to accelerate. I nearly ran over a pedestrian who stepped out in front of me. I am not one to be to picky about cars but after researching your site, it appears this has been reported numerous times.

Problem is dangerous. When come to stop, engine occassionally races to over 2200 rpms. When crusing and let off gas, car idle does not naturally go down. Was fixed by dealer once, now recurring. Very concerned about unpredictable idle/acceleration conditions.

Vehicle experienced uncontrollable acceleration upon coming to a stop.

When driving at night, speed control does not light up; cannot tell which button to push. Has to use overhead dome light to see.

Vehicle experienced sudden high rpm and acceleration on two occasions, on second incident before stopping motor the right side drive axle broke at cv-joint.

Vehicle surges, rpms will go up passing 3, and then down while in park/ idling at a stop. Dealer recognized defect caused by throttle sensor unit which was replaced twice, but defect keeps reoccurring.