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 · Jan 26, 2000
SteeringCrash
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 01/14/00 DUE TO MY CAR CUTTING OFF. I WAS TURNING WHEN THERE WAS WATER ON THE STREET. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE RIGHT SIDE WENT THROUGH WATER. MY CAR MADE SOME HIGH PITCH NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR AND RAN OFF OF THE ROAD IN …
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I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 01/14/00 DUE TO MY CAR CUTTING OFF. I WAS TURNING WHEN THERE WAS WATER ON THE STREET. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE RIGHT SIDE WENT THROUGH WATER. MY CAR MADE SOME HIGH PITCH NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR AND RAN OFF OF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. I DIDN'T GET HURT. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. I AM VERY SCARED DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN THERE'S WATER ON THE STREET. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZZARD. I TOLD JERRY'S FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I EVEN CONTACTED THE FORD DISPUTE BOARD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NUMEROUS TIMES THE CAR HAD CUT OFF, THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY HAZZARD BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE HAS AN ACCIDENT OR DIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717929
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2000
SteeringCrash
I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY CAR CUTTING OFF. I WAS TURNING WHEN THERE WAS WATER ON THE STREET. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE RIGHT SIDE WENT THROUGH THE WATER. MY CAR MADE SOME HIGH PITCH NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR AND RAN OFF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. I …
Read full complaint
I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY CAR CUTTING OFF. I WAS TURNING WHEN THERE WAS WATER ON THE STREET. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THE RIGHT SIDE WENT THROUGH THE WATER. MY CAR MADE SOME HIGH PITCH NOISE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ALL LIT UP AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR AND RAN OFF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. I DIDN'T GET HURT. MY FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. I AM VERY SCARED DRIVING THIS CAR WHEN IT RAINS OR WATER IS ON THE STREET. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZZARD. I TOLD JERRY'S FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM A FEW MONTHS AGO. JERRY'S FORD SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I EVEN CONTACTED THE FORD DISPUTE BOARD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NUMEROUS TIMES THE CAR HAD CUT OFF, THEY TOLD ME THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, TAKE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY HAZZARD BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE HAS AN ACCIDENT OR DIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717927
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854577
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. REPLACEMENT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $587.90. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHY? MUST WE PAY INSTEAD OF MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850505
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension
VEHICLE OVERHEATED. YH
NHTSA ODI #550537
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENTLYYWHEN CON APPLIES HIS BRAKES THERE IS A CLINKING NOISE. THE DEALSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855356
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
SuspensionCrash
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717615
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH OWNER HIT A DEER, AND DRIVER SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAGS BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG KNOCKED DRIVER OUT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN BODYSHOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854923
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED PREMATURELY CASUING THE VEHICLE TO BURST INTO SMOKE AND STEAM WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550290
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING WHIRRING SOUND. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $1400+ TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. *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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