IllustrationFIRST INCIDENT DRIVING UNDER WET ROADS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE RAN A PUDDLE OF WATER THE CAR STALLS BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, VERY LITTLE OR NO STEERING CAN BE DONE . *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Steering complaints
101 reportsWHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO A SERVICE ROAD, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND TIRE ROD BROKE, VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CONCRETE POWER LINE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. CONTACTED THE LOCAL MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. CONTACTED THE DEALE…
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WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO A SERVICE ROAD, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND TIRE ROD BROKE, VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CONCRETE POWER LINE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. CONTACTED THE LOCAL MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING RACK AND PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SAYS IN MY REPORT THAT FINS WERE MISSING ON SHAFT OF WATER PUMP.
STEERING FAILURE RESULTED IN GRUNT NOISE DURING STEERING RETURN FROM RIGHT TURN. NLM
THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. FLUID IS COMING FROM TUBBING THAT'S RUBBING AGAINST THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. THIS HAD CAUSED A PIN HOLE IN TUBE. ALSO, STEERING WAS MAKING GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNED. HAVE NOT BEEN TO DEALER YET.
ANYTIME I EVEN GO THROUGH A PUDDLE I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT. THE CAR HAS NOT STALLED YET BUT THE DATE I PUT ON THIS REPORT THE POWER STEERING WENT AS I WAS TURNING INTO AN ENTRANCE TO WALMART AND I COULDNT CATCH IT IN TIME TO STOP IT FROM HITTING THE CURB. I DID SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TY ROD AND DRIVE…
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ANYTIME I EVEN GO THROUGH A PUDDLE I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT. THE CAR HAS NOT STALLED YET BUT THE DATE I PUT ON THIS REPORT THE POWER STEERING WENT AS I WAS TURNING INTO AN ENTRANCE TO WALMART AND I COULDNT CATCH IT IN TIME TO STOP IT FROM HITTING THE CURB. I DID SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TY ROD AND DRIVER WHEEL WELL. FORD SAID THAT WAS NORMAL. I WAS NOT WARNED OF THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND CANT FIND A REPORT ABOUT THAT ANYWHERE. IT IS DEFINITLY LIFE THREATENIG LIVING IN BUFFALO IN THE WINTER WHAT WILL HAPPEN? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND I JUST BOUGHT IT.
THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS ENGINE OVERHEATING, BROWN COOLANT,LOSS OF HEATER. FORD REPEATED FLUSHED OUT THE HEATER CORE,REPLACED THE COOLLANT, FLUSHED OUT ENGINE, RADIATOR. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS THEY FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH ANOTHER ENGINE, A REBUILT ONE OF COURSE. THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE BROWN COOL…
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THE MAJOR PROBLEM WAS ENGINE OVERHEATING, BROWN COOLANT,LOSS OF HEATER. FORD REPEATED FLUSHED OUT THE HEATER CORE,REPLACED THE COOLLANT, FLUSHED OUT ENGINE, RADIATOR. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS THEY FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH ANOTHER ENGINE, A REBUILT ONE OF COURSE. THEY CONTINUED TO HAVE TO FLUSH OUT THE BROWN COOLANT. NOW THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK AGAIN. THEY SAY THAT SINCE MY WARRANTY IS UP I MUST PAY FOR THE HEATER CORE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING BAD AND THAT THEY HAD TWO RECALLS ON BROWN COOLANT PROBLEMS. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINES IF THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL. THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER CORE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE 98-B23 AND 98B23-S1 BUT DID NOT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK THREE TIMES TO GET RID OF THE NOISE WHEN TURNING. THEN THEY REPLACED THE SPINDLES WHICH THE ENDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEALED AT THE FACTORY BUT WERE NOT. THEY GROUND DOWN THE ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VIBRATING AND REPLACED THEM ONCE. THEY REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW YOU TO OPEN THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN REPLACED THE HOOD LATCH SO YOU COULD GET UNDER THE HOOD. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE AC KNOB TWICE SINCE THE PLASTIC INSIDE KEEPS BREAKING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PIECE OF JUNK SINCE I GOT IT AND CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WITH THE COOLENT AND THE HEATER SYSTEM.
STEERING RACK NOISY & POPS WHEN MAKING HARD RIGHT TURNS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. *YC
A PART WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO SLIP AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME LOSE WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS. *AK
Official recalls
698V067000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.