VehicleVerdict

1997 Ford Taurus electrical system problems

The 1997 Ford Taurus has 74 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

74

Electrical System complaints

7%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Taurus electrical system complaints by model year185 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 112 complaints1989: 135 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 80 complaints1993: 185 complaints1994: 94 complaints1995: 106 complaints1996: 64 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 38 complaints1999: 63 complaints2000: 70 complaints2001: 41 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 102 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 30 complaints2006: 30 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 25 complaints2011: 52 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 77 complaints2014: 32 complaints2015: 34 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 11 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 1 complaints
Taurus electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“VEHICLE PARKED. OWNER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT & BLACK SMOKE ESCAPED & THEN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. GAVE NO INDICATION OF ORIGIN OF FIRE. INSURANCE INSPECTOR CHECKED VEHICLE & INDICATED A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 24, 1999 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1997 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA has 74 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus electrical system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.