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
What owners actually said
825 reports
10,000 miles · Feb 22, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED ACTING UP A LITTLE AFTER A YEAR OF OUR VEHICLE PURCHASE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT DOORS ARE SUPPOSE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS WHEN AN UNLOCK MOTION IS DONE TWICE. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. AT ONE POINT, WE COULD NOT UNLOCK THE FR…
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THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED ACTING UP A LITTLE AFTER A YEAR OF OUR VEHICLE PURCHASE. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT DOORS ARE SUPPOSE TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS WHEN AN UNLOCK MOTION IS DONE TWICE. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS. AT ONE POINT, WE COULD NOT UNLOCK THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER THE WARRENTY PERIOD EXPIRED, THE DEALER SUDDENLY HAD A SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM BUT AT OUR EXPENSE. I DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT SHOULD OF BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DOORS REMAIN UNREPAIRED TO THIS DAY
NHTSA ODI #10007986
91,879 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Power TrainCrash
WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS FOUND FATALLY CRUSHED BENEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROCKER PANEL AND TIRE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE POLICE CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSUMER PARKED ON A PAVED DRIVEWAY ON A UPHILL INCLINE. *…
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WITH VEHICLE IN PARK, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS FOUND FATALLY CRUSHED BENEATH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ROCKER PANEL AND TIRE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE POLICE CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSUMER PARKED ON A PAVED DRIVEWAY ON A UPHILL INCLINE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008679
129,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 17-YEAR-OLD SON WAS DRIVING TO EDINBURG, TEXAS ON A PRETTY BUSY STREET, WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE ENGINE STARTED TO FAIL. HE NEARLY GOT KILLED. THANK GOD THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE CAR CRACKED THE HEAD, AND IS IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT, …
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MY 17-YEAR-OLD SON WAS DRIVING TO EDINBURG, TEXAS ON A PRETTY BUSY STREET, WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE ENGINE STARTED TO FAIL. HE NEARLY GOT KILLED. THANK GOD THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE CAR CRACKED THE HEAD, AND IS IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE LAST INCIDENT, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WATER WAS A BROWN, ALMOST MUDDY COLOR AND TEXTURE. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST LEFT OVER DAMAGE FROM THE ENGINE REPAIRS IT HAD RECEIVED. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH I FOUND THAT FORD HAD A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTICE PROGRAM FOR A "BROWN COOLANT RECALL." I NEVER GOT THE NOTICE AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED A LONG TIME AGO. THIS IS CLEARLY A FULL OUT ''RECALL.'' I WOULD LIKE FOR THE NHTSA TO GET FORD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED. MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE INTERNET HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CURRENTLY STILL PAYING FOR THE CAR AND IT IS NOT FAIR FOR FORD TO GET AWAY WITH THIS NON-SENSE. MY SON COULD HAVE DIED ALL BECAUSE FORD DIDN''T PROPERLY NOTIFY ME. I WILL CALL FORD TOMORROW AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. IF THEY DON''T HELP, AND THE NHTSA DOESN''T HELP EITHER, I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SUE FORD. THIS IS TOTAL NONSENSE. I'M NOT TRYING TO STEAL THEIR MONEY, I JUST WANT FOR THEM TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN SCREW UP.
NHTSA ODI #10007774
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
50 MPH CRASH HIT A MAILBOX AND TWO SIX INCH LOCUST TREES. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH OF THE SENSORS WERE PUSHED INTO THE RADIATOR
NHTSA ODI #10005394
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2003
Tires
GENERAL G4S 20565R15 DOTACUR442990, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE THREE REMAINING TIRES HAVE FLAT SPOTS ALL AROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006284
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2003
Tires
3 TIRES BLEW OUT AFTER I BOUGHT CAR
NHTSA ODI #10003399
98,000 miles · Jan 20, 2003
Power TrainSteeringCrash
THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR (ALSO CALLED PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH) SHORTS INTERNALLY AND CAUSES THE VARIABLY ASSISTED STEERING TO MALFUNCTION (STOP ASSISTING ENTIRELY). DATE OF INCIDENT MAY NOT BE EXACT. WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEED INTO AN ALLEY POWER STEERING FAILED MOMENTARILY CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO JUMP THE OPPOSI…
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THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR (ALSO CALLED PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH) SHORTS INTERNALLY AND CAUSES THE VARIABLY ASSISTED STEERING TO MALFUNCTION (STOP ASSISTING ENTIRELY). DATE OF INCIDENT MAY NOT BE EXACT. WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEED INTO AN ALLEY POWER STEERING FAILED MOMENTARILY CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO JUMP THE OPPOSITE CURB ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND DAMAGE WHEEL COVER. TSB # 96255 MAY DESCRIBE PROBLEM, BUT I'M NOT SURE. FORD DEALERSHIP PULLED UP A REPORT ON THIS FOR ME. REPORT STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR MAY SHORT INTERNALLY AND CAUSE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST TO BE REDUCED (ELIMINATED), POWER WINDOWS TO FAIL, AND STEREO TO TEMPORARILY FAIL. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SPORADIC, BUT SINCE THE STEERING IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THIS PROBLEM CONSTITUTES A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL THAT I WAS LUCKY AS THERE WAS NOBODY/NOTHING TO HIT AND THAT ALL I HAD DAMAGED WAS A WHEEL COVER.
NHTSA ODI #10003022
84,200 miles · Jan 4, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS--86,000 MILES GETTING TRANS REBUILT
NHTSA ODI #10000720
60,227 miles · Jan 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PREVIOUSLY TO THIS ON 1/99, RECALL 98B23 WAS COMPLETED DEALING WITH THE RUSTY, CORROSIVE COOLANT CONDITION WHICH DEVELOPS IN THE 1996 TAURUS. NOW THE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS STRESS CRACKS CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO POUR OUT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTIOIN IT APPEARS THE RADIATOR HAS …
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PREVIOUSLY TO THIS ON 1/99, RECALL 98B23 WAS COMPLETED DEALING WITH THE RUSTY, CORROSIVE COOLANT CONDITION WHICH DEVELOPS IN THE 1996 TAURUS. NOW THE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS DEVELOPED NUMEROUS STRESS CRACKS CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO POUR OUT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTIOIN IT APPEARS THE RADIATOR HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #10000705
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT NO MORE THAN 10 TO 15 MPH. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER,L AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SO FAR. TS...*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1996 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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