IllustrationROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE TO THE SHAKING. VERY VIOLENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
1996 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 93 of 825 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 182 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
69 crash reports12 fire reports45 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
214 reportsENGINE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE BOTTOM WHICH CAUSED OIL LEAK. THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND RADIO TO REMAIN ON AFTER SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE. MJS
I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL SLOWLY BUT FAIRLY CONSTANTLY, I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT HE SUGGEST THAT I TALK TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT…
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I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL SLOWLY BUT FAIRLY CONSTANTLY, I THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT HE SUGGEST THAT I TALK TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE SAID THE SAME THING. ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM HAVE ONLY RESULTED IN YOUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND WE WILL NOT COVER THIS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART AND I ALSO SAW THROUGH YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE OTHER COMPLAINT THAT SEEMED TO FIT THIS DESCRIPTION. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER.
NONE, ONLY ENGINE FAILURE
OUR TAURUS HAS HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, FORD DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THERE WAS OVER 66,000 MILES ON THE CAR.TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE ENGINE THREW A ROD OR PISTON.
WITH OUT WARNING THE ENGINE QUIT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH STEAM. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT ABSOLUTELY COULDN'T SEE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY RUINING THE CYLINDER HEAD.
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HESITATING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. INFORMED CONSUMER TO REPORT CONDITION TO DEALER. *AK
CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS, WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR COOLANT SYSTEM PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD TO JUST BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD FIX IT.BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON 09/21/99 AND WAS THEN INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT DO THE REPAIR FOR FREE BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON 08/31/99. CALLED FORD AND WAS…
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CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS, WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR COOLANT SYSTEM PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD TO JUST BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD FIX IT.BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON 09/21/99 AND WAS THEN INFORMED THEY WOULD NOT DO THE REPAIR FOR FREE BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON 08/31/99. CALLED FORD AND WAS INFORMED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL BUT AN OWNER NOTIFICATION. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION,BUT EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DIRECTLY RELATED TO DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE. IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AT NO COST TO ME? I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IF THIS WAS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM AND NOT A RECALL WHY WAS I NOT NOTIFIED?
WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE RUNS THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAIL AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS / CUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE CAN BE INSTANTLY STARTED BACK UP BY TURNING THE IGNITION AGAIN. DEALER CAN'T FIND SOLUTION. *ML
Official recalls
698V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Mar 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
96V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Sep 18, 1996
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
96V166000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 5, 1996
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
96V151000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Aug 12, 1996
THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS A VACUUM DIAPHRAGM THAT WAS DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE REGULATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DIAPHRAGM TEARS OR RUPTURES, LIQUID FUEL COULD ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE RESULTING IN EITHER RELEASE OF FUEL FROM THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. FUEL RELEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THOSE REGULATORS PRODUCED DURING THE SUSPECT TIME PERIOD WILL BE REPLACED.
96V086000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
May 14, 1996
THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.
96V016000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp
Jan 25, 1996
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.