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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

19 reports
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120,000 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 · 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

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF WHEN SHE MADE A STOP. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO RE-START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT EVENTUALLY THE FUEL INJECTORS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083337

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 · Mar 23, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEK FOR PART TO COME IN. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #883935

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 · Sep 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH MY HEADS AND TRANSMISSION SINCE I'VE GOTTEN THE CAR!

NHTSA ODI #732083

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineCrashFire

WHILE DRIVING WAS HIT IN FRONT. FIRST, VEHICLE SPUN; THEN, CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #866430

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WE WERE DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 45, CAM SENSOR, CAMSHAFT, DIED ROUGH IDLE, EGR SENSOR BAD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, DIES AT STOPS AND SLOW DOWNS, FUEL PUMP DOESNT HOLD PRESSURE, LONG CRANK TIME NO TURN OVER TILL ABOUT A MINUTE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME O…

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ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WE WERE DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 45, CAM SENSOR, CAMSHAFT, DIED ROUGH IDLE, EGR SENSOR BAD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, DIES AT STOPS AND SLOW DOWNS, FUEL PUMP DOESNT HOLD PRESSURE, LONG CRANK TIME NO TURN OVER TILL ABOUT A MINUTE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #725271

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY CAR TAKES 2-3 ATTEMPTS TO START.AS A CHRONIC PROBLEM.CAR DIAGNOSIS BY DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #712205

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.