IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. *AK *NM
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
What owners actually said
825 reportsFORD TAURUS: HEAD LIGHTS FOGGED OVER. WE FEEL THERE IS A SEVERE DEFECT IN THE SEALS FOR THESE HEADLIGHTS.*AK
CONSUMER SHIFTED VEHICLE TO PARK, BUT VEHICLE WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN THE REVERSE GEAR. THIS WOULD CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR THE CONSUMER WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR AND JUST AS I EXITED, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK AND HAD ONE MECHANIC TELL ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND HE COULD REPAIR FOR $1600+(NOT INCL TAX). I TOOK TH…
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I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CAR AND JUST AS I EXITED, THE CAR BEGAN JERKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I COULDN'T EVEN GO TO WORK AND HAD ONE MECHANIC TELL ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND HE COULD REPAIR FOR $1600+(NOT INCL TAX). I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THE TAURUS'S AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1901.00 (TAX INCL). APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ. FORD SHOULD REALLY ADDRESS THIS. THE PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY WAS:TORQUE CONVERTER, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, OVERDRIVE PISTON, PUMP SHAFT, ETC. *JB
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER CORE AND ENDED UP REPLACING IT. WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR CALIPARS AND HAE REPLACED THEM TWICE AND REPAIRED THEM ONCE (THEY SEIZE). WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PEELING PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WINDOW SEALS THAT WE HAVE NOT YET FIXED; ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PR…
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WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR HEATER CORE AND ENDED UP REPLACING IT. WE CONTINUALLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR CALIPARS AND HAE REPLACED THEM TWICE AND REPAIRED THEM ONCE (THEY SEIZE). WE CURRENTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PEELING PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WINDOW SEALS THAT WE HAVE NOT YET FIXED; ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS? A BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAINTED ONCE; WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR.
ON AUG. 4, 2003, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP. ON AUG. 5, 2003, MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP, AND HESITATING BEFORE SLAMMING INTO FIRST UPON ACCELERATION. ON AUG. 6, 2003, MY CAR STOPPED SHIFTING BACK INTO FIRST WHEN IT NEUTRALIZED AT A STOP. IT HAD TO BE MANUALLY SHIFTED TO PARK, AND BACK I…
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ON AUG. 4, 2003, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP. ON AUG. 5, 2003, MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP, AND HESITATING BEFORE SLAMMING INTO FIRST UPON ACCELERATION. ON AUG. 6, 2003, MY CAR STOPPED SHIFTING BACK INTO FIRST WHEN IT NEUTRALIZED AT A STOP. IT HAD TO BE MANUALLY SHIFTED TO PARK, AND BACK INTO DRIVE. IF I TURNED OFF THE OVERDRIVE, WHICH IS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED ON THIS CAR, SHE DROVE LIKE NEW, BUT IF I FORGOT TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE MY OVERDRIVE, MY CAR VERY LOUDLY REMINDED ME TO SHUT IT OFF.
REBUILT TRANS. NOV. 2000, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MAY 2003 DUE TO THE TRANS. NOT GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. REPLACE SOLENOIDS IN TRANS. IN JUNE 2003 AND THAT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PAID $1600.00 TO REBUILD AND $250.00 TO REPLACE SOLENOIDS.
THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMP…
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THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMPUTOR SYSTEMS ARE NOT WORKING THE AIR CONDITIONING. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE RADIO AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO START UP. THESE THINGS HAPPEN BUT NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
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.
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.