1997 Ford Taurus GL review from North America

Cooling system flow problems caused several engine core plugs to corrode. This lead to coolant loss and engine overheating.

Cam position sensor had to be replaced twice.

Subframe assembly bushing disintegrated.

Door ajar light constantly lit due to defective door switch.

Interior door handle panel on all doors broken.

Climate control system blend door actuator stuck, can only get cold air.

Gas mileage 19 MPG combined vs. manufacturer's claim of 25/28.

I liked this car when I first bought it. It felt solid and delivered acceptable performance. The ride was smooth, acceleration was a bit weak for a 3.0L V6 (but certainly an improvement over the last car I owned), handling was predictable. Having owned other Fords in the past I expected good quality and reliability.

In the past year, however, the repair costs have exceeded the blue book value of this car. Some of the problems the car had can be traced back to design flaws that Ford addressed with recalls, but as the second owner of the car I wasn't notified and thus had to pay for the repairs myself.