TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE WAS CORRODED, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE WAS CORRODED, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT SEATS, STEERING CONTROL ARMS, DASHBOARD, AND TRANSAXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.
NHTSA ODI #10375425
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2009
Suspension
THE REAR SPRINGS OF MY 1996 FORD TAURUS GL HAVE BOTH BROKEN THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296511
147,000 miles · Mar 8, 2009
Suspension
1996 FORD TAURUS GL, 147,000 MILES. WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS LOW SPEED, NO ONE HARMED. REQUIRES NEW SPRING AND TIRE AT A MINIMUM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261077
158,423 miles · Aug 11, 2008
Suspension
I HAVE A 96 FORD TAURUS THAT HAS A BROKEN FRONT SPRING (AND I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT) AND IT CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED A TRACTOR TRAILER, AND ALMOST SURELY MY DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237673
180,643 miles · Feb 12, 2008
SuspensionInjury
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK, WHEN HER TIRE EXPLODED. SHE CALLED CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND. APPARENTLY THE COIL SPRING SHOT OFF THE STRUT ASSY AND PUNCTURED THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY SHE WASN'T DRIVING TOO FAST AND WAS ABLE TO K…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK, WHEN HER TIRE EXPLODED. SHE CALLED CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND. APPARENTLY THE COIL SPRING SHOT OFF THE STRUT ASSY AND PUNCTURED THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY SHE WASN'T DRIVING TOO FAST AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT! UPON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SITUATION, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD TAURUS AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ONLY NEWER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. WHY IS THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY RECALLED WITH ONLY CERTAIN YEAR OF MAKES???? WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED. I EVEN CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ONLINE. IF I WAS INFORMED OF THIS RECALL, THEN I WOULD'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO PUT GUARDS ON THE COIL SPRINGS WITH MY OWN MONEY, BECAUSE A LIFE IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY OR A PRODUCT. PLEASE REALIZE THAT THIS COULD'VE BEEN VERY VERY BAD AND COULD HAPPENED TO ANYONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217875
47,898 miles · Oct 19, 2006
Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END,AND ALSO HAD STEERING DIFFICULTIES. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACT…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END,AND ALSO HAD STEERING DIFFICULTIES. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP INFORMATION. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC INFORMED ABOUT INCIDENTS WHERE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY THE FRACTURED COIL AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. UPDATED 1/19/2007 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171350
190,804 miles · Oct 16, 2006
SuspensionCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HITTING A GUARD RAIL WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR PAINT DAMAGE. AFTER BEING DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED A STABILIZER BAR.
NHTSA ODI #10170920
98,000 miles · Jan 21, 2006
Suspension
FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL UNEXPECTEDLY SNAPPED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND PUNCTURED TIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ROLL INTO A NEAR LOT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10148273
90,000 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Suspension
I BACKED MY 1996 FORD TAURUS OUT OF THE GARAGE AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS SITTING AND THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT TIRE. THERE WAS NO SAGGING OF THE CAR OR WARNING THAT THE SPRING WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE FIXED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10138645
135,000 miles · Aug 31, 2005
Suspension
I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD TARUS THAT HAD SAT FOR A YEAR. UPON BACKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FRONT SPRING BROKE. THE CAR DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRE SLASHING IT OPEN IMMEDIATELY. THEN I INSPECTED THE OTHER SPRINGS ONLY TO FIND THAT ANOTHER SPRING HAD A BREAK IN IT ALSO. THE SPRINGS WERE NOT RUSTY AND THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN AB…
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I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD TARUS THAT HAD SAT FOR A YEAR. UPON BACKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FRONT SPRING BROKE. THE CAR DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRE SLASHING IT OPEN IMMEDIATELY. THEN I INSPECTED THE OTHER SPRINGS ONLY TO FIND THAT ANOTHER SPRING HAD A BREAK IN IT ALSO. THE SPRINGS WERE NOT RUSTY AND THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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