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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

Visibility complaints

55 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Visibility

I RETURNED THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL BEGAN CLICKING WHENEVER I TRIED USING THEM. THE REPAIR DEPT. TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TAURUS AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW, I AM LIMITED TO ONLY SEVERAL SETTINGS WHERE THE WIPERS WILL ACTUALLY FUNCTION. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A "NORMAL" FEATURE ON A…

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I RETURNED THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL BEGAN CLICKING WHENEVER I TRIED USING THEM. THE REPAIR DEPT. TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THE TAURUS AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW, I AM LIMITED TO ONLY SEVERAL SETTINGS WHERE THE WIPERS WILL ACTUALLY FUNCTION. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A "NORMAL" FEATURE ON ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES. I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE BEFORE I DON'T HAVE ANY WIPER CAPABILITIES AND SOMEONE IS EITHER INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #713114

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE IN OPERATING MODE, OR SPEED WOULD CHANGE FROM HIGH TO LOW INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS CONSUMER PICKS UP THE EXPENSES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850221

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
Visibility

RAIN ON 10/04/99 TURNED WIPERS ON TO 4 TO 6 SECONDS WIPE---STARTED TO RAIN HARDER MOVED WIPERS TO LOW SETTING--STARTING WIPING EVERY 10 TO 12 SECS---HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WIPERS STARTED TO WORK LIKE THEY SHOULD--HIT ANOTHER BUMP--WIPERS WENT BACK TO SLOW SPEED---THEN STOPPED...HAD TO USE HIGH SPEED TO GET THE WIPERS TO WORK

NHTSA ODI #712857

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Visibility

DEFROST FAILED AND HAD VERY POOR VISIBILITY WHEN WINDOWS FOGGED ALMOST CAUSING WRECK

NHTSA ODI #712564

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringVisibility

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.

NHTSA ODI #711595

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1999
Visibility

FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE IN TWO. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842402

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 1999
Visibility

THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WORKS ONLY PERIODICALLY. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE CAR IS PAST THE WARRANTY DATE AND I CAN VISUALIZE A MAJOR COST ITEM FOR REPAIR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A SERIES OF PROBLEMS AND IN SPITE OF MY CONTACTS WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THEY HAVE NOT…

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THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER WORKS ONLY PERIODICALLY. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER SINCE THE CAR IS PAST THE WARRANTY DATE AND I CAN VISUALIZE A MAJOR COST ITEM FOR REPAIR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A SERIES OF PROBLEMS AND IN SPITE OF MY CONTACTS WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED IN A SATISFACTORY WAY.

NHTSA ODI #707958

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Visibility

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #840862

Mileage unknown · May 29, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING IN ANY INTERVAL POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #706985

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 1999
Visibility

DURING A VERY HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHUT DOWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. SPONTANEOUSLY THE WIPERS WILL START UP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834256

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.