Ford Taurus SHO Problems by Year
NHTSA has 94 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Ford Taurus SHO, across 5 model years (1995–1999). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (30). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Ford Taurus SHO years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Taurus SHO model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 Taurus SHO: 30 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1996 Taurus SHO: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Taurus SHO: 21 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Taurus SHO problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 59 | 4 | 2 |
| Power Train | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Suspension | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Tires | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford Taurus SHO model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Taurus SHO | 21 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1998 Taurus SHO | 10 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 Taurus SHO | 30 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 Taurus SHO | 24 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1995 Taurus SHO | 9 | 2 | — | Electrical System |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus SHO years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (30), 1996 (24), 1999 (21). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Taurus SHO?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 59 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Taurus SHO have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.