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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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Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735856

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER COOLING DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #874290

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE CONTACTED MR. SAMSON (ID #3104) AND TOLD HIM THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS PREFORMING THE SAME PROMBLEMS AS THE 3.6L 95 TAURUS. WE ALSO TOLD HIM WE HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED AT A FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD USE THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. WE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL BUT THAT …

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WE CONTACTED MR. SAMSON (ID #3104) AND TOLD HIM THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS PREFORMING THE SAME PROMBLEMS AS THE 3.6L 95 TAURUS. WE ALSO TOLD HIM WE HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE THE ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED AT A FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD USE THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. WE REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HE TOLD US ABOUT A RADIATOR FLUSH RECALL THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED OUR ENGINE BUT THE FORD DEALER KNEW NOTHING OF THIS RECALL. WE ASKED IF FORD COULD DO ANYTHING EVEN PAY HALF HE (MR. SAMSON) SAID FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. WE THEN ASLED WHO WAS ABOVE HIM SO WE COULD TALK TO THEM HE ADVISED US THAT THERE WAS NO ONE ABOVE HIM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735492

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STALLED/ JUST STOPPED WORKING.CONSUMER STEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DAY BEFORE THIS FAILURE, THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER SAYS THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS THE …

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WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STALLED/ JUST STOPPED WORKING.CONSUMER STEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DAY BEFORE THIS FAILURE, THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER SAYS THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #874101

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICE. WHEN THEY DIAGNOISED THE CAR , I WAS TOLD IT WAS FREEZE PLUGS AND THAT THE CHARGE WAS 1,575.00. I TOLD THEM TO FIX MY CAR. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR IT WAS SHAKING. I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT T…

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MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICE. WHEN THEY DIAGNOISED THE CAR , I WAS TOLD IT WAS FREEZE PLUGS AND THAT THE CHARGE WAS 1,575.00. I TOLD THEM TO FIX MY CAR. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR IT WAS SHAKING. I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT TOOK MY HUSBAND 2 MONTHS TO GET THE MONEY IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR. IWAS TOLD TWICE TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHEN I FINALLY BROUGHT THE BACK IN THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THE SERVICE SOON LIGHT WAS BACK ON, I WAS TOLD THE I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND THEY WANTED ANOTHER 495.00 FROM MY HUSBAND AND ME TO FIX MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #734993

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #734926

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I LIKED THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT , BUT AM WONDERING IF I BOUGHT A LEMON

NHTSA ODI #734378

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET WAS NEVER ANY GOOD. I HAVE SPENT APPROXIAMATELY $2500.00 ON REPAIR COSTS AND SURVIVED TWO WINTERS WITHOUT HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. FORD COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND DID NOTHING.

NHTSA ODI #734332

80,180 miles · Oct 14, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET WAS NEVER ANY GOOD. I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $2500.00 ON REPAIR COST AND SURVIVED TWO WINTERS WITHOUT HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. FORD COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND DID NOTHING. *NLM *SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734332

NHTSA ODI #10007032

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

IN MAY OF 2000 IWAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON MD 695 WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I THEN LOST POWER MY CAR SHUT OFF AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER MY CAR WAS STALLED OUT I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO TOWSON FORD IN TOWSON MD THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY COOLING SYSTEM AFTER TELLING A FEW FRIENDS OF MY ORDEAL ONE TOLD ME OF A RECALL FOR THE COOLING S…

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IN MAY OF 2000 IWAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON MD 695 WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I THEN LOST POWER MY CAR SHUT OFF AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER MY CAR WAS STALLED OUT I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO TOWSON FORD IN TOWSON MD THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY COOLING SYSTEM AFTER TELLING A FEW FRIENDS OF MY ORDEAL ONE TOLD ME OF A RECALL FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THE 96 TAURUS I THEN CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO IN MICH. WHERE I WAS TREATED VERY RUDLY OVER THE PHONE I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR IWAS TOLD SEVERAL DIFFRENT TIMES THAT ONE WOULD CONTACT ME IT WASNT UNTIL I REFUSED TO HANG UP THE PHONE UNTIL I SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR THAT I TALKED TO SOMEONE AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE I WENT THROUGH THEY TOLD ME FORD WAS NOT GOING TO HONOR MY REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL HELP WITH MY REPAIRS AFTER HAVING REPAIRS DONE MYSELF MY CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS IT STARTED TO LEAK COOLING FLUID AND OVERHEAT I IMEDIATLY HAD IT TAKEN BACK TO TOWSON FORD THEY THEN TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW HEAD CYLINDERS WHICH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER AFTER HAVING THESE THINGS DONE MY CAR STILL LOSES POWER MY ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT CRANK OVER I TOOK IT BACK TO TOWSON FORD THEY PUT IT ON THE ANYLIZING MACHINE THEY FOUND OTHER PROBLEMS BUT COULD NOT TELL ME WHY ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON WHY IT WONT CRANKOVER OR WHY IM LOSING POWER WHEN IM DRIVING PLEASE HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION I

NHTSA ODI #734204

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.