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
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
TICKING NOISE FROM TOP OF MOTOR DIAGNOSED AS CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILURE BY FORD TECHNICIAN ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO, 3.4L, 207 CI V8. DEALERSHIP RECCOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE MOTOR AS PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO 5 MONTHS TO ARRIVE. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS NOW BECOMMING A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS WITH MORE REPORTS OF THEM…
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TICKING NOISE FROM TOP OF MOTOR DIAGNOSED AS CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILURE BY FORD TECHNICIAN ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO, 3.4L, 207 CI V8. DEALERSHIP RECCOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE MOTOR AS PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO 5 MONTHS TO ARRIVE. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS NOW BECOMMING A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS WITH MORE REPORTS OF THEM BEING MADE KNOWN ON THE INTERNET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750388
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAMSHAFT FAILURE ON INTERFERENCE ENGINE IN '1996 TAURUS LOSS OF POWER STEERING/ POWER BRAKES. WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THIS AUTO WITH SUCH A FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED?*AK
NHTSA ODI #750241
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2001
Power Train
0TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE TRANSMISSION WAS 'REPAIRED' BY METRO AUTO REPAIR SERVICE, 4633A AUBURN BLVD., SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 485-3240. THIS REPAIR SERVICE STATED IN THEIR WORK ORDER: "TRANSMISSION NEUTRALS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. REMOVE FOR OVERHAUL, FOUND BAD FORWARD PISTON CAUSING SEAL…
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0TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE TRANSMISSION WAS 'REPAIRED' BY METRO AUTO REPAIR SERVICE, 4633A AUBURN BLVD., SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 485-3240. THIS REPAIR SERVICE STATED IN THEIR WORK ORDER: "TRANSMISSION NEUTRALS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. REMOVE FOR OVERHAUL, FOUND BAD FORWARD PISTON CAUSING SEAL TO BYPASS PRESSURE. ALSO FOUND FORWARD CLUTCH VALVE RETAINER BROKEN, REBUILD TRANSMISSION REPLACING CLUCHES, SEALS AND GASKETS ALSO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER AND REFIL FLUID." THE TOTAL CHARGES FOR THIS SERVICE WAS FOR "$1098.25" (INCLUDED "23.36 SALES TAX"). ON AUGUST 10, 2001, MY WIFE NOTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP; MAKING VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT WE HAD EXPERIENCED 15 MONTHS AGO. NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 983112, DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM. I ADVISED METRO AUTO REPAIR SERVICE OF THE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN; THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THEY WERE AWARE OF IT ALSO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750232
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Structure
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, A LOUD "THUD" NOISE WAS COMING FROM FRONT. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT FRONT RIGHT CRADLE MOUNT WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V323000. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #893772
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE CLOUDY AND VERY LITTLE LIGHT SHINES THROUGH. YOU CAN HARDLY TELL THAT THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #750004
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKE CALIPER LEAKED AND LOST BRAKE FLUID. I REFILLED AND NEVER LOST BRAKING. HAD CALIPER REPLACED. THIS WAS NOT DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKE PADS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749724
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING IF RIGHT WHEEL SPLASHES WATER ONTO SERPINTINE BELT. IT ONLY HAPPENS IF RIGHT WHEEL GOES THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE AND SPLASHES WATER ONTO THE SERPINTINE BELT. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE PROBLEM HAPPEN 3TIMES BEFORE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED CURRENTLY. CONSUMER PLEASE ADD VIN# AND MILEAGE TO FORM. *…
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VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING IF RIGHT WHEEL SPLASHES WATER ONTO SERPINTINE BELT. IT ONLY HAPPENS IF RIGHT WHEEL GOES THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE AND SPLASHES WATER ONTO THE SERPINTINE BELT. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE PROBLEM HAPPEN 3TIMES BEFORE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED CURRENTLY. CONSUMER PLEASE ADD VIN# AND MILEAGE TO FORM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #893268
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER CALLED IT A SOFT PLUG THAT WHEN IT BLEW WATER AND ANTI FREEZE LEAKED OUT OF VEHICLE. AND VEHICLE CAN OVERHEAT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IT COST 70 DOLLARS TO REPLACE ONE SOFT PLUG. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #892773
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE STALLS AT ANYTIME ON HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #891486
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 25-30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING OCCUPANT OF PASSENGER SEAT TO RECEIVE INJUIRES TO EYES AND FACE. *AK AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BLOW UP FAILING TO HOLD AIR KEEPING THE PASSENGER SAFE. *YH
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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