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 · Sep 24, 2000
Structure
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS (70 PLUS MPH) IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS THERE IS A LOUD "MOANING" AND/OR "WHISTLING" SOUND THAT IS PRESENT IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHERE THE DOOR ASSEMBLY MEETS THE FRAME AND WINDOW ASSEMBLY. THE SOUND IS SO LOUD THAT I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE RADIO BECAUSE THERE IS TOO MUCH NOISE IN THE INT…
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WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS (70 PLUS MPH) IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS THERE IS A LOUD "MOANING" AND/OR "WHISTLING" SOUND THAT IS PRESENT IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHERE THE DOOR ASSEMBLY MEETS THE FRAME AND WINDOW ASSEMBLY. THE SOUND IS SO LOUD THAT I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE RADIO BECAUSE THERE IS TOO MUCH NOISE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO TALK OR HEAR NORMALLY. I HAVE INFORMED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS PERSONAL FORD VEHICLE. FORD CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOR DO THEY SEEM TOO CONCERNED ABOUT IT. THEY (FORD)JUST SORT OF PUT ME OFF AND MORE OR LESS INDICATE THAT BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PRONLEM THAT I"LL JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHEN I TAKE TRIPS WHERE I AM DOING HIGH SPEED DRIVING IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #732372
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH MY HEADS AND TRANSMISSION SINCE I'VE GOTTEN THE CAR!
NHTSA ODI #732083
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #732042
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLANT SYSTEM CORRODED OUT FREEZE PLUGS. COOLANT RAN OUT AND ENGINE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE IS HAVING TO BE REPLACED, BUT FORD SAYS THIS WAS NOT THE CAUSE. REVIEWING THE BOARD HERE I SEE MORE THAN JUST ME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. JUST AS WITH THE FIRESTONE ISSUE AND FORD ITS ALWAYS THE OTHER GUYS FAULT, NOT THEM. FOR ONC…
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COOLANT SYSTEM CORRODED OUT FREEZE PLUGS. COOLANT RAN OUT AND ENGINE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE IS HAVING TO BE REPLACED, BUT FORD SAYS THIS WAS NOT THE CAUSE. REVIEWING THE BOARD HERE I SEE MORE THAN JUST ME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. JUST AS WITH THE FIRESTONE ISSUE AND FORD ITS ALWAYS THE OTHER GUYS FAULT, NOT THEM. FOR ONCE I WOULD LIKE SEE FORD TAKE THIER SHARE OF BLAME. FORD REPS WILL NOT EVEN RESPOND TO COMPLAINT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #731176
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT ROTORS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN TURNED TWICE (8/98 & 6/9/99) AND NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AGAIN (9/2000). THE REAR ROTORS WERE TURNED ON 2/28/2000. I FEEL THAT HAVING ROTORS TURNED ONCE A YEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK DONE THAT OFTEN ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED. I AM CONCERN…
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THE FRONT ROTORS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN TURNED TWICE (8/98 & 6/9/99) AND NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AGAIN (9/2000). THE REAR ROTORS WERE TURNED ON 2/28/2000. I FEEL THAT HAVING ROTORS TURNED ONCE A YEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK DONE THAT OFTEN ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE BRAKES. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL REGARDING MY CONCERNS.
NHTSA ODI #730865
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Power Train
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL FORWARD. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #869660
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Power Train
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, AND WHEN IT WAS STARTED LATER IN THE DAY, VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. SHIFTER CABLE BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE ANY OF THE GEARS. *AK SHIFTER CABLE BRAKING IS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW AND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ISSUE RECALL NOTICE BUT…
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WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, AND WHEN IT WAS STARTED LATER IN THE DAY, VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. SHIFTER CABLE BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE ANY OF THE GEARS. *AK SHIFTER CABLE BRAKING IS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW AND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ISSUE RECALL NOTICE BUT IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *YH
NHTSA ODI #869599
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Exterior Lighting
OUTER HEADLIGHT LENS YELLOWING,INTERIOR FILLING WITH MOISTURE
NHTSA ODI #730298
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2000
Service Brakes, AirSteering
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ABS LIGHT IS OFF, BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. WHEN MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE BRAKES BUZZ ON APPLICATION AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY THEN THE ABS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY DEALER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.ALSO THE STEERING GEARBOX MAKES A LOUD GROA…
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ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN ABS LIGHT IS OFF, BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. WHEN MALFUNCTION OCCURS, THE BRAKES BUZZ ON APPLICATION AND STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY THEN THE ABS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY DEALER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.ALSO THE STEERING GEARBOX MAKES A LOUD GROAN AND VIBRATION WHEN RECOVERING FROM A RIGHT TURN. SOME RESISTANCE IS FELT ATTEMPTION TO TURN THE WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT. THE VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AGAIN FORD REFUSES TO ASSIST EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MULTIPLE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BOTH OF MY COMPLAINTS IN YOUR LISTINGS.
NHTSA ODI #730018
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN RAIN STORM, INSTANTLY WHEN CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL AND PUT IT ON BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE FAILED WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKES, RESULTING IN REAREND ACCIDENT. *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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