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 · Feb 12, 2001
Power Train
MANUAL LEVER POSITION SENSOR FAILED AT ~50,000 MILES. AT ~75,000 MILES, LOST OVERDRIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FULLY REBUILT INCLUDING VALVE BODY, GASKETS, SEALS, PLATES, ETC. FORD MECHANIC IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA (KELLY FORD) SAID THEY WERE ALL BADLY WORN. CHARGED ME $2270 FOR COMPLETE REBUILD OF TRA…
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MANUAL LEVER POSITION SENSOR FAILED AT ~50,000 MILES. AT ~75,000 MILES, LOST OVERDRIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FULLY REBUILT INCLUDING VALVE BODY, GASKETS, SEALS, PLATES, ETC. FORD MECHANIC IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA (KELLY FORD) SAID THEY WERE ALL BADLY WORN. CHARGED ME $2270 FOR COMPLETE REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #740806
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND IT EMPTY, AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS RIPPED APART, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND STATES THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISISON…
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND IT EMPTY, AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS RIPPED APART, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND STATES THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISISON. *SLC TRANSMISSION SUFFERED AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN, A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE GEARS THAT REVOLVE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING, THE RESULT OF THIS FAILURE CAUSED THESE PARTS TO BE PROPELLED THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE. *SLC *JB
NHTSA ODI #559631
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #880069
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
MY BATTERY HAS RUN DOWN DUE TO THE INTERIOR LIGHT PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740545
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE COOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS I DO NOT WANT TURNPIKE FORD TO DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR I KNOW THERE WORK AND DO NOT TRUST IT THAT IS WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED STILL GIVING US PROBLEMS THE COOLANT IN IT TURN TO A RUST THE HEATER WILL…
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THE COOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS I DO NOT WANT TURNPIKE FORD TO DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR I KNOW THERE WORK AND DO NOT TRUST IT THAT IS WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED STILL GIVING US PROBLEMS THE COOLANT IN IT TURN TO A RUST THE HEATER WILL NOT GET HOT NOW THE TEMPERNTURE HAND ON GUAGE STAYS DOWN ON THE C ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE TRIED TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AND THE WILL NOT GIVE US A ANSWER ON THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN TOLL THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME SAY THAT FORD HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN SOME OF THE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME I DO NOT HAVE THE FINICIAL MEANS TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740206
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SIDE. WITHIN MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE WAS UP IN FLAMES. INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED FIRE STARTED DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #879309
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2001
Electrical SystemCrashInjury
IN RAINY WEATHER VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN PUDDLES. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *YH
NHTSA ODI #879012
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Seat Belts
LEFT REAR SEAT BELT FROZEN IN A MOSTLY RETRACTED POSITION. WILL NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND.*AK
NHTSA ODI #739886
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Power Train
SEAL BLOWOUT AND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AAMCO ADVISED ME THE UNIT FAILED INTERNALLY. I HAD A FORD DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT. UNIT HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THIS IS COMMON FOR FORD TAURUS (NEVER HAD A FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN 32 YRS OF DRIVING, SO THIS ONE SEEMS LIKE A…
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SEAL BLOWOUT AND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AAMCO ADVISED ME THE UNIT FAILED INTERNALLY. I HAD A FORD DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT. UNIT HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THIS IS COMMON FOR FORD TAURUS (NEVER HAD A FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN 32 YRS OF DRIVING, SO THIS ONE SEEMS LIKE A HAZARD TO ME.)*AK
NHTSA ODI #739875
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001
Steering
WHILE PULLING UP TO PARK TRIED TO TURN CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE.*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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