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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 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
THE VEHICLE HAD A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, RADIATOR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE CAP TO NO AVAIL. I THEN REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. WHEN I REMOVED THE ORIGINAL WATER PUMP I NOTICED THAT THE IMPELLOR BLADES WERE BADLY DETERIORATED FROM CORROSION. THE BLADES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY…
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THE VEHICLE HAD A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, RADIATOR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE CAP TO NO AVAIL. I THEN REPLACED THE WATER PUMP. WHEN I REMOVED THE ORIGINAL WATER PUMP I NOTICED THAT THE IMPELLOR BLADES WERE BADLY DETERIORATED FROM CORROSION. THE BLADES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY AND UNABLE TO MOVE WATER; THIS RESULTED IN THE ENGINE CONTINUING TO OVERHEAT. I BELIEVE THAT THE BLADES WERE UNABLE TO STAND UP TO THE COOLANT SOLUTION*AK
FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT OPERABLE. WHEN HE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF NEUTRAL. FOLLOWED BY HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR AND 2ND & 3RD GEAR. RETURNED TO SERVICE CENTER THAT REBUILT TRANNY IN '99. THEY REPLACED SHIFT SOLENOIDS AND THAT CORRECTED SHIFTING. SHOP FOREMAN INDICATED TRANNY WOULD STILL NOT LOCKOUT(TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NOT LOCK OUT). H…
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TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF NEUTRAL. FOLLOWED BY HARD SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEAR AND 2ND & 3RD GEAR. RETURNED TO SERVICE CENTER THAT REBUILT TRANNY IN '99. THEY REPLACED SHIFT SOLENOIDS AND THAT CORRECTED SHIFTING. SHOP FOREMAN INDICATED TRANNY WOULD STILL NOT LOCKOUT(TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NOT LOCK OUT). HE INDICATED THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND PREMATURE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. HE COULD NOT GET ANY TROUBLE CODES. WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT COMPUTER AND MANUALLY LOCKOUT TORQUE CONVERTER. WENT TO FORD ONLINE SERVICE ASSISTANCE AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE STATING THAT SOME COMPUTERS FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAD BEEN FLASHED TO NOT LOCK OUT AND THERE SHOULD BE A NOTICE ON THE RADIATOR STATING SO. THERE IS NO NOTICE ON THE RADIATOR. SUGGESTED TAKING TO DEALER FOR RE-FLASH OF COMPUTER. EXISTING CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS ACCURATE THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD FREQUENT TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS ALSO THAT MAY BE RELATED. THE COOLANT REQUIRES TWICE YEARLY FLUSH DUE TO BUILD UP OF RUST. *AK
4TH GEAR FAILED, TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *AKY
THE PROBLEMS WITH MY TAURUS DATES BACK TO A RECALL CONCERNING THE COOLING SYSTEM IN 1997. SINCE THEN, I'VE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PREMATURE PROBLEMS WITH VARYING PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING A FAILED THERMOSTAT, HEATER CORE, GASKET, AND RADIATOR. I'VE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE…
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THE PROBLEMS WITH MY TAURUS DATES BACK TO A RECALL CONCERNING THE COOLING SYSTEM IN 1997. SINCE THEN, I'VE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PREMATURE PROBLEMS WITH VARYING PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING A FAILED THERMOSTAT, HEATER CORE, GASKET, AND RADIATOR. I'VE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
MY WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A HAZE BETWEEN THE LAMENATION AND GLASS, AS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE VIEW SEVERELY BLURRED WHEN ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS AND/OR SUN IS INVOLVED. IT IS MUCH LIKE SHINING LIGHT THROUGH A PRISM. GLASS ON A VEHICLE SHOULD LAST THE LIFETI…
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MY WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A HAZE BETWEEN THE LAMENATION AND GLASS, AS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE VIEW SEVERELY BLURRED WHEN ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS AND/OR SUN IS INVOLVED. IT IS MUCH LIKE SHINING LIGHT THROUGH A PRISM. GLASS ON A VEHICLE SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, AND NOT GO BAD. THIS CREATES A SERIOUS VISUAL HAZARD. I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS WARRANTS AN INVESTIGATION TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS LIKE MYSELF SOME SORT OF REPLACEMENT/RECALL OPTION. FURTHER, IF A WINDSHIELD CANNOT WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME, I HAVE LOST FAITH IN ITS INTEGRITY DURING AN ACCIDENT. TO SAY THE LEAST, FORD HAS PRODUCED A "LEMON" PRODUCT, AS AGAIN...GLASS SHOULD NOT GO BAD. *AK
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.