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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

182 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2010
Power Train

1996 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE PARK PAWL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE GEAR IN PARK, THE PARK PAWL DID NOT ENGAGE, WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH HER MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED HER A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 1996 FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO …

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1996 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH THE PARK PAWL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE GEAR IN PARK, THE PARK PAWL DID NOT ENGAGE, WHICH CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH HER MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED HER A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 1996 FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED. WHILE THE DEALER DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL AND THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AX4N AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, SHE WAS ADVISED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10336994

120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKS, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SHE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT LEAST TEN TO TWELVE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKS, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SHE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT LEAST TEN TO TWELVE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND BRAKE SWITCH INTERLOCK WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT MOVE. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, SHE HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/05/09. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10256081

75,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION PARTIALLY SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND IS INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239657

113,000 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED MINOR SHIFTING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO PARK. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT FAILED TO MOVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO PARK AND THE CONTACT'S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ROLL BAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED MINOR SHIFTING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO PARK. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT FAILED TO MOVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO PARK AND THE CONTACT'S FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ROLL BACKWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF FIRST GEAR VERY HARD, AND THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 3,000 RPMS. A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED, WHICH STOPPED THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 96V086000 AND 96V166000 (POWERTRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)) WERE REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233520

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2008
Power TrainTires

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE I WAS GOING TO WORK OUT OF TOWN. CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. I MISSED A DAY OF WORK . HAD TO RENT A CAR. I HIT A DITCH AND HAD 2 FLATS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231074

155,752 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

MY 96 FORD TAURUS GL HAS THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, RADIO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL, POWER WINDOWS FAIL, FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP,AND WHEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK EVERYTHING GOES BACK WORKING AS NORMAL. TOOK…

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MY 96 FORD TAURUS GL HAS THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, RADIO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL, POWER WINDOWS FAIL, FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP,AND WHEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK EVERYTHING GOES BACK WORKING AS NORMAL. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND THAT SEVERAL 96 TAURUS' THEY HAVE WORKED ON HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM....I AM WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL PART IF THAT IS THE CASE...SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183922

100,600 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Power TrainCrash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND ALMOST ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE HIT A CULVERT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE DRIVER AND INFANT PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #96V176000 REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND ALMOST ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE HIT A CULVERT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE DRIVER AND INFANT PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #96V176000 REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10175342

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 1996 TAURUS GL. THE CAR LEAKS OIL, AND THEN IT LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE PAN. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS THE OIL LEAK. I SPENT 500 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE DARN THING STOPPED LEAKING AND NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 1997 AND HER CAR LEAKS ALSO. WHY DID FORD MAKE A PRODUCT THAT LEAKS LIK…

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I HAVE A 1996 TAURUS GL. THE CAR LEAKS OIL, AND THEN IT LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE PAN. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS THE OIL LEAK. I SPENT 500 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE DARN THING STOPPED LEAKING AND NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 1997 AND HER CAR LEAKS ALSO. WHY DID FORD MAKE A PRODUCT THAT LEAKS LIKE A SIV. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161388

107,050 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Power TrainCrashInjury

WOULD NOT GO TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE EXCHANGING LANES WAS HIT IN THE REAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150702

63,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Power Train

THE INTERNET SAYS MY 1996 TAURUS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A PARK PAWL PROBLEM.THE NHTSA SAYS THAT 400,000 1996 TAURUS CARS ARE EFFECTED.MY CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK,SO I CALLED 2 LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY GAVE THE RUNAROUND STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.PLEASE ADVISE.MY VIN# IS 1FALP 52U8T A1018 63 I WANT…

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THE INTERNET SAYS MY 1996 TAURUS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A PARK PAWL PROBLEM.THE NHTSA SAYS THAT 400,000 1996 TAURUS CARS ARE EFFECTED.MY CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK,SO I CALLED 2 LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY GAVE THE RUNAROUND STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.PLEASE ADVISE.MY VIN# IS 1FALP 52U8T A1018 63 I WANT FORD TO AUTHORIZE THIS REPAIR.THANK YOU. STEPHEN BLANK 407 HAMILTON AVE. LINWOOD,N.J. 08221-1516 609 926-9277

NHTSA ODI #10129202

Official recalls

6

98V067000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.