NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
57 reportsClear category filter120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKS, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SHE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT LEAST TEN TO TWELVE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKS, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SHE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT LEAST TEN TO TWELVE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND BRAKE SWITCH INTERLOCK WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT MOVE. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, SHE HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/05/09. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10256081
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2008
Electrical System
96' 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
NHTSA ODI #10248871
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure
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
NHTSA ODI #10231733
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2007
Electrical System
WHEN IN GEAR MY 1996 TAURUS'S POWER WINDOWS AND RADIO WILL NOT OPERATE. THEY WILL OPERATE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. WHEN IN GEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES ON. THE STEERING BECOMES TIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALMOST AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE DIED, THE OTHER PROBLEMS STOPPED FOR THE MOST PART. I NOTIC…
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WHEN IN GEAR MY 1996 TAURUS'S POWER WINDOWS AND RADIO WILL NOT OPERATE. THEY WILL OPERATE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. WHEN IN GEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES ON. THE STEERING BECOMES TIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALMOST AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE DIED, THE OTHER PROBLEMS STOPPED FOR THE MOST PART. I NOTICE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA ODI #10185401
155,752 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train
MY 96 FORD TAURUS GL HAS THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, RADIO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL, POWER WINDOWS FAIL, FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP,AND WHEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK EVERYTHING GOES BACK WORKING AS NORMAL. TOOK…
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MY 96 FORD TAURUS GL HAS THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, RADIO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL, POWER WINDOWS FAIL, FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP,AND WHEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK EVERYTHING GOES BACK WORKING AS NORMAL. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY SAY IT'S THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR AND THAT SEVERAL 96 TAURUS' THEY HAVE WORKED ON HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM....I AM WONDERING WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL PART IF THAT IS THE CASE...SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10183922
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Electrical SystemTires
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD A SPARE TIRE ON IT, WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. THE ELECTRICAL THINGS INSIDE THE CAR DO NOT WORK, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, A/C AND RADIO BUTTONS. THE A/C AND RADIO CUT ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE WINDSHEID WIPERS ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR …
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WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD A SPARE TIRE ON IT, WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. THE ELECTRICAL THINGS INSIDE THE CAR DO NOT WORK, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, A/C AND RADIO BUTTONS. THE A/C AND RADIO CUT ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE WINDSHEID WIPERS ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR THW WIPERS COME ON AND STAY ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. ALSO, I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNDER WATER.
NHTSA ODI #10126699
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2005
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM FAILURES; INITALLY RAIDO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL. FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS RESUME OPERATION. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED, AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HAS SEEN 3 OTHER '96 TAURUS' WITH SAME ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10113957
85,000 miles · Jan 13, 2005
Electrical System
RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR (BANK 1). IT WAS RESET, BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN, …
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RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR (BANK 1). IT WAS RESET, BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THE CODES SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TWO(2) OXYGEN SENSORS(BANK 1 & BANK 2), BUT THE EGR CHECK CAME UP INCOMPLETE. THEN THE PANEL LIGHT INSTRUCTING ME THAT A DOOR WAS AJAR STARTED COMING ON, BUT ALL DOORS WERE SHUT. THEN IT WOULD GO OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. NOW THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, AND ALL OF THE DOORS ARE SHUT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10106292
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2004
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091819
58,360 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Electrical System
ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE COIL WIRE AND SOME FUSES TO GET THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER DETERMINED THAT IGNITION ACTUATOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051935
Official recalls
6Mar 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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