IllustrationCOOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE OF ALL TYPES ALL PART PRONE TO EXTREME CHEMICAL CORROSION VERY AGGRAVATING PROBLEM AND NOW THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE HAS FAILED WITH THE SAME CORROSIVE SYMPTOMS AS THE OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR
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
What owners actually said
825 reports96' FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THIS LEAK CAUSES EITHER A SHORT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR OR THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. BLOWER MOTOR WORKS SOMETIMES OR DOESN'T, USUALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND THE CORRESPONDING LEAK CAUSES A SHORT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS UP NORTH WHEN THE DEFROSTING OF THE WINDSHIELD IS A NECESSITY. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION PARTIALLY SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND IS INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE. *TR
I HAVE A 96 FORD TAURUS THAT HAS A BROKEN FRONT SPRING (AND I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT) AND IT CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED A TRACTOR TRAILER, AND ALMOST SURELY MY DEATH. *TR
THE UNIROYAL TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE DEVELOPED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE JUST SITTING IN ITS COMPARTMENT. *TR
BOUGHT MY 1996 TAURUS IN JAN 1999 FROM A DEALER. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1999. I HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT,HOSES (WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM) DUE TO RUST AN SLUDGE IN SYSTEM. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FOR 12 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED HEAD.…
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BOUGHT MY 1996 TAURUS IN JAN 1999 FROM A DEALER. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1999. I HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT,HOSES (WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM) DUE TO RUST AN SLUDGE IN SYSTEM. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FOR 12 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED HEAD. THE THERMOSTAT NEVER REGISTERED HOT ONLY NOTICED THE OVER HEATING WHEN THE STEAM WAS BILLOWING OUT, IT WAS TO LATE THEN AS ENGINE DIED. OFF & ON THE THERMOSTAT WOULD FLUCTUATE ANYWHERE FROM COLD TO UP TO 95 % HOT AND THE ENGINE TEMP WOULD NOT BE HOT. DUE TO THE PROBLEM I AM NOW WITHOUT A FAMILY CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A NEW ENGINE OR BUY A NEW VEHICLE. IS FORD DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM? I KNOW MY WARRANTY HAS LONG EXPIRED BUT WHAT ABOUT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND GETTING HELP WITH IT? *TR
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.
DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM ON YOKO AVID TRZ-ITEM # YH03720655T BOUGHT AT MERCHANT'S TIRE. THE VALVE STEM CRACKED AT THE BASE CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE TIRE BEAD WAS RUINED BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER. *TR
1996 FORD TAURUS PROBLEMS WITH BACK GATE REPLACEMENT PANELS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE CANNOT LOCK THE DOOR WITH A KEY IT MUST BE LOCKED BY HAND SHE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR AJAR/RELAY. *KB THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE GROUND MOTOR AND THE SUSPECT…
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1996 FORD TAURUS PROBLEMS WITH BACK GATE REPLACEMENT PANELS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE CANNOT LOCK THE DOOR WITH A KEY IT MUST BE LOCKED BY HAND SHE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR AJAR/RELAY. *KB THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE GROUND MOTOR AND THE SUSPECTED PROBLEM WAS MORE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE REAR TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. *JB
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
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.