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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.

About this comparison →

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 · May 5, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS MADE ONE MONTH TO EARLY AND THAT HER VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR A PARK PIN WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED…

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DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS MADE ONE MONTH TO EARLY AND THAT HER VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR A PARK PIN WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES ROLLED WHILE PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT MOSTLY ROLLED WHILE ON HILLS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO START THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT SHE MAY FORGET TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND LEAVE HER VEHICLE. SHE ACTUALLY HAS HAD TO CHASE AFTER THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING INTO PARK SUDDENLY AND SHE'D HAVE TO TAKE IT IN AND OUT OF GEARS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10120020

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2005
Power Train

1996 FORD TAURUS PURCHASED BY MY FAMILY IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1996 FROM HEWLETT-PACKARD FLEET VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING GEAR (CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK) SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN 3 "PARKING PAWL" RECALLS ON THE FORD TAURUS IN 1996--ALL OCCURRING PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE OF THE …

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1996 FORD TAURUS PURCHASED BY MY FAMILY IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1996 FROM HEWLETT-PACKARD FLEET VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING GEAR (CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK) SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN 3 "PARKING PAWL" RECALLS ON THE FORD TAURUS IN 1996--ALL OCCURRING PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE OF THE CAR. NOW, FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THE RECALLS DON'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. SEEMS SUSPICIOUS SINCE I AM EXPERIENCING THE VERY PROBLEM THAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE 3 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALLS LISTED AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116220

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2005
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM FAILURES; INITALLY RAIDO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL. FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS RESUME OPERATION. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED, AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HAS SEEN 3 OTHER '96 TAURUS' WITH SAME ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10113957

72,000 miles · Nov 1, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. STARTED BY NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT LEAVING ME COASTING INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WAS NO SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. IT ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098085

77,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092087

185,724 miles · Jul 27, 2004
Power Train

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS CALLED SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF CLUTCH PLATES WHICH CAUSED THE PARK PIN PLATE NOT TO STAY IN POSITION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER THAT THE PIN DID NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSIT…

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THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS CALLED SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF CLUTCH PLATES WHICH CAUSED THE PARK PIN PLATE NOT TO STAY IN POSITION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER THAT THE PIN DID NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION. HE WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE HE LIVED IN CANADA HE NEVER RECEIVED THR RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN CANADA. THE CONSUMER SPENT ABOUT $5000-6000 IN REPAIRS ON SOMETHING THAT WAS RECALLED AND NO ONE WANTED TO HELP HIM BECAUSE OF WHERE HE LIVED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10076013

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073564

141,000 miles · Feb 23, 2004
Power Train

CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE TO PARK, BUT VEHICLE WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN THE REVERSE GEAR. THIS WOULD CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059583

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2004
Power Train

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR AND JUST AS I EXITED, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK AND HAD ONE MECHANIC TELL ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND HE COULD REPAIR FOR $1600+(NOT INCL TAX). I TOOK TH…

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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR AND JUST AS I EXITED, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK AND HAD ONE MECHANIC TELL ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND HE COULD REPAIR FOR $1600+(NOT INCL TAX). I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THE TAURUS'S AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1901.00 (TAX INCL). APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ. FORD SHOULD REALLY ADDRESS THIS. THE PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY WAS:TORQUE CONVERTER, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, OVERDRIVE PISTON, PUMP SHAFT, ETC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10058318

99,970 miles · Feb 11, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10057873

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.