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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 →

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

214 reports
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106,500 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 1996 FORD TAURUS GL STALLED DUE TO A FAILED CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER THAT BROKE. IT ONLY HAS 106,500 MILES ON IT. I UNDERSTAND THE 1997'S HAVE A RECALL - WHY AREN'T THE 1996 TAURUS INCLUDED ?? THESE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366660

160,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE OF ALL TYPES ALL PART PRONE TO EXTREME CHEMICAL CORROSION VERY AGGRAVATING PROBLEM AND NOW THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE HAS FAILED WITH THE SAME CORROSIVE SYMPTOMS AS THE OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251024

213,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOUGHT MY 1996 TAURUS IN JAN 1999 FROM A DEALER. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1999. I HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT,HOSES (WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM) DUE TO RUST AN SLUDGE IN SYSTEM. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FOR 12 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED HEAD.…

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BOUGHT MY 1996 TAURUS IN JAN 1999 FROM A DEALER. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1999. I HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT,HOSES (WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM) DUE TO RUST AN SLUDGE IN SYSTEM. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FOR 12 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED HEAD. THE THERMOSTAT NEVER REGISTERED HOT ONLY NOTICED THE OVER HEATING WHEN THE STEAM WAS BILLOWING OUT, IT WAS TO LATE THEN AS ENGINE DIED. OFF & ON THE THERMOSTAT WOULD FLUCTUATE ANYWHERE FROM COLD TO UP TO 95 % HOT AND THE ENGINE TEMP WOULD NOT BE HOT. DUE TO THE PROBLEM I AM NOW WITHOUT A FAMILY CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A NEW ENGINE OR BUY A NEW VEHICLE. IS FORD DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM? I KNOW MY WARRANTY HAS LONG EXPIRED BUT WHAT ABOUT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND GETTING HELP WITH IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233726

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 1996 TAURUS GL. THE CAR LEAKS OIL, AND THEN IT LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE PAN. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS THE OIL LEAK. I SPENT 500 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE DARN THING STOPPED LEAKING AND NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 1997 AND HER CAR LEAKS ALSO. WHY DID FORD MAKE A PRODUCT THAT LEAKS LIK…

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I HAVE A 1996 TAURUS GL. THE CAR LEAKS OIL, AND THEN IT LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE PAN. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS THE OIL LEAK. I SPENT 500 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE DARN THING STOPPED LEAKING AND NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 1997 AND HER CAR LEAKS ALSO. WHY DID FORD MAKE A PRODUCT THAT LEAKS LIKE A SIV. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161388

77,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092087

55,195 miles · Jul 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A USED 1996 FORD TAURUS FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER, BROCKPORT FORD, IN 1998. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN JULY OF 2000, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED A HIGH TEMPERATURE. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THE CAR LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK THE CAR TO VISION FORD AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE'S FREEZE PLUGS AS A COST OF $452. RECENTLY I …

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I BOUGHT A USED 1996 FORD TAURUS FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER, BROCKPORT FORD, IN 1998. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN JULY OF 2000, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED A HIGH TEMPERATURE. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THE CAR LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK THE CAR TO VISION FORD AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE'S FREEZE PLUGS AS A COST OF $452. RECENTLY I HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, ONLY THIS TIME IT THE REPAIRS COST ME $907. I QUESTIONED TWO FAILURES OF THIS TYPE ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR AND LOCATED NUMEROUS WEBSITES DEVOTED TO THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 1996 FORD TAURUS VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED NUMEROUS THERMOSTATS AND NOW MY HEATER CORE IS GOING. THIS IS ALL DUE TO A MANUFACTURING/ ENGINEERING DEFECT, WHICH CAUSES THE ANTIFREEZE TO TURN ACIDIC AND ATTACK THE ENGINE PARTS. THERE WAS A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTY EXTENSION" ISSUED BY FORD FOR THIS KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT, BUT IT EXPIRED IN AUGUST OF 1999. AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHICH I FEEL IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THERE SHOULD BE A MANDATED RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE FORD DEALER SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE APPLIED THE REPAIR KIT AS SHOULD THE DEALER WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR BOTH REPAIRS. A DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE AWARE OF COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MODELS AND SHOULD COMMUNICATE THIS WITH THE OWNERS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10080924

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER CORE AND ENDED UP REPLACING IT. WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR CALIPARS AND HAE REPLACED THEM TWICE AND REPAIRED THEM ONCE (THEY SEIZE). WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PEELING PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WINDOW SEALS THAT WE HAVE NOT YET FIXED; ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PR…

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WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER CORE AND ENDED UP REPLACING IT. WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR CALIPARS AND HAE REPLACED THEM TWICE AND REPAIRED THEM ONCE (THEY SEIZE). WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PEELING PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WINDOW SEALS THAT WE HAVE NOT YET FIXED; ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS? A BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAINTED ONCE; WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10071269

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMP…

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THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMPUTOR SYSTEMS ARE NOT WORKING THE AIR CONDITIONING. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE RADIO AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO START UP. THESE THINGS HAPPEN BUT NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10070128

119,925 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

IN MAY 03 FORD SAID TRANS. WAS JUST WORE OUT. HAD REBUILT BY AAMCO AND THEN AT THE END OF JULY TRANS. HAD NO PARK, WAS JUST LIKE IN NUTRAL. ON THE WAY TO AAMCO TRANS. FELL APART. AAMCO TRYED TO SAY WE DID SOMETHING WRONG, BUT DECIDED THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE SO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A NEW CASE FOR ARE AX4N TRANS. NOW…

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IN MAY 03 FORD SAID TRANS. WAS JUST WORE OUT. HAD REBUILT BY AAMCO AND THEN AT THE END OF JULY TRANS. HAD NO PARK, WAS JUST LIKE IN NUTRAL. ON THE WAY TO AAMCO TRANS. FELL APART. AAMCO TRYED TO SAY WE DID SOMETHING WRONG, BUT DECIDED THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE SO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A NEW CASE FOR ARE AX4N TRANS. NOW. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO WEEKS NOW AND STILL CAN NOT FIND A CASE. HOPE THEY FIND SOON SO CAN GET CAR BACK AND GET RID OF IT, NEVER TO OWN ANOTHER FORD. THIS CAR HAS HAD CONTINUAL SMALL BUT STILL PROBLEMS NEVER THE LESS SENCE WE PURCHASED IT. HAVE BEEN A FORD LOVER ALL MY LIFE AND AM KIND OF SAD TO SAY I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10069642

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

2ND FORD VEHICLE TO HAVE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FIRST WAS MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH I ALREADY REPORTED TO YOU. IT WAS 1,000 MILES OVER THEIR EXTENDED 100,000 LIMIT. THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY TO OUR FAMILY THAT MAY TAKE A FEW YEARS TO CATCH UP. TOOK FORD TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT LAST WEEK AND LOST. THIS IS A TR…

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2ND FORD VEHICLE TO HAVE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. FIRST WAS MY 1995 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH I ALREADY REPORTED TO YOU. IT WAS 1,000 MILES OVER THEIR EXTENDED 100,000 LIMIT. THIS HAS CAUSED SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY TO OUR FAMILY THAT MAY TAKE A FEW YEARS TO CATCH UP. TOOK FORD TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT LAST WEEK AND LOST. THIS IS A TRAVESTY TO HAVE THIS HAPPENING TO FAMILIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I SINCERELY HOPE YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN FORCE THEM TO PAY REPARATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10068879

Official recalls

6

98V067000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.