1997 Ford Taurus GL 3.0 from North America

Summary:

An unreliable car

Faults:

Tape stooped working at 50K miles. Problem started in the electrical system at 37K-Paid $200 to fix it. Service engine soon light came up at 56K. Paid $450 to fix this problem. Inner light did not turn off if all doors were closed. Paid $180 to fix it. Right now I hear a noise from the steering. Paints are coming off from the front bumper and hood.

General Comments:

This car is roomy, comfortable, but very unreliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd January, 2003

13th Mar 2003, 06:12

I have had all of the same problems (including fees) with my Taurus.

The only difference is mine is a 1996 dual exhaust with duratec.

The mileage is now at 90 thousand. Maintenance is kept up religiously.

HOWEVER, now the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on and the engine has been stalling off and on.

Agreed. Unreliable.

19th Mar 2004, 13:40

My car is also a 97 Ford Taurus GL. I have had the heater core replaced twice. Both times by a Ford dealership. The 2nd said I needed to put a restricter kit in so the heater core wouldn't crack again. 2nd dealership said first dealership should of put it in the first time. After both heater cores replaced my Service Engine light has come on. 1st time fixed said it was a censor that had gone out. With that same problem my windows were all acting up and not working right. When I took it in they said they just moved the wires around and the windows started working right. My car also tends to stall every now and then. The heater core was replaced because antifreeze was leaking into my car and fogging up my windows and the smell was awful. I completely agree that this car is very unreliable. Unfortunately I'm stuck with it for awhile.

1st May 2009, 17:24

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like your mechanic is a thief. Dome light won't extinguish? Spray the inner door switches with WD-40. This is a common issue with Gen3 Taurus cars. WD-40 can't cost more than 5 bucks for a small can.

"Service Engine Soon" lights can usually be diagnosed with a $75 OBD II reader. If you own a used car that is 1996 or newer... do yourself a favor and buy an OBD II reader.

Finally, if you buy a Taurus period, join taurusclub.com. There is probably no issue you could have with your car that some other person has not had as well.

1997 Ford Taurus G V6 from North America

Summary:

A good buy considering all things I put it through

Faults:

When I first got the car, it was used and the dealer gave me a 3 month warranty with it. Thank goodness he did.

About a week after I got it, I noticed the car was running hotter than I thought it should, so I added more coolant. That night I had a puddle on my driveway. I went on doing this for about a week thinking I spilled the water or something. FINALLY I took it to the dealership and they told me the coolant tank had a leak and they replaced it. No problems with it since.

The seal around the passenger window is pinched into the window track at the top, causing it to leak in heavy rain. The only way to fix this is to replace the seal (275.00) or put the window down just a hair, pull the seal out, and put the window back up while holding the seal out... pinches your fingers, but it saves $275.00.

When driving the car, its as smooth as can be. But I have had 3 alignments done for the front end, and it ALWAYS pulls heavily back to the right.

When turning corners, the power steering whines... its very loud at times and it even whines when sitting at a red light with the wheels straight.

The cupholders are very nicely placed... but don't sit anything in them that is small... it will flip forward and spill everywhere.

When starting the car in cold weather (and sometimes if its not cold at all) it idles very oddly and the car shakes like its trying to die. Hit the gas for about 10 seconds, and it stops.

Car didn't come with the CD changer, and the Ford dealerships down here told me that it would cost about 500$ for a new one. I have a portable CD player in there with a cassette adapter, and the cassette player keeps kicking out the tape giving me a "TDE1" message, saying my tape is messed up. I have tried 7 different brand new cassette adapters, and it keeps saying that.

You have to slam the trunk down very hard 2 or 3 times to close it... seems like the latch is sticking.

General Comments:

Seats are VERY comfortable, and it's a very roomy car. Plenty of room to seat up to 6 comfortably. I also like how the center console flips out from the center front seat... saves space if you want to seat 6 people.

MUCH better than my 1998 dodge neon... head gasket blew out on that and is costing right under 600$... YUCK!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th January, 2003