IllustrationRUSTY COOLANT RETURNED AFTER FLUSHING, COOLANT FAILED, COOLANT FROZE, RADIATOR BRKEN, ENGINE OVERHEATED, NEEDS HEAD JOB OR NEW ENGINE. FORD BALKING AT RECALL REPAIR AND RESPONSIBILTY FOR SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE. *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
What owners actually said
825 reportsTRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT HIGH RPM DURING 2-3 SHIFT. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO WORSEN. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BUT THAT IT MIGHT BE A SHIFT COMPUTER PROBLEM. PROBLEM INCREASES AS TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE INCREASES, SUCH AS DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 40 MINUTES IN A WARM CLIMATE. AT ENGINE START, NOTICI…
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT HIGH RPM DURING 2-3 SHIFT. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO WORSEN. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BUT THAT IT MIGHT BE A SHIFT COMPUTER PROBLEM. PROBLEM INCREASES AS TEMPERATURE OF ENGINE INCREASES, SUCH AS DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 40 MINUTES IN A WARM CLIMATE. AT ENGINE START, NOTICING THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AS ENGINE JUST STARTS TO MOTOR. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE FRONT PANEL LIGHTS UP WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON. THE "OD" OR OVERDRIVE BLINKS WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN AT/OR ABOVE 60MPH. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WE PAYED 80 DOLLARS FOR A CHECK-UP (FORD DEALER LOCATED ON 46-12 NORTHERN BLVD,, ASTORIA QUEENS, NY). THREE HOURS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD A…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE FRONT PANEL LIGHTS UP WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON. THE "OD" OR OVERDRIVE BLINKS WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN AT/OR ABOVE 60MPH. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WE PAYED 80 DOLLARS FOR A CHECK-UP (FORD DEALER LOCATED ON 46-12 NORTHERN BLVD,, ASTORIA QUEENS, NY). THREE HOURS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRANSMISSION. HENCE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE CHANGED AND THE COST WAS $2,300 DOLLARS. THEY NEEDED TO KNOW IMMEDIATELY! I REFUSED BECAUSE THE COST SEEMED TO HIGH AND I WASN'T COMPLETELY SURE IF THIS WAS REALLY THE PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC DEALING WITH TRANSMISSIONS ONLY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHT TROUBLE. THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM NOT EVEN BY USING THE COMPUTER. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER AGENCY (FRIEND OF MINE) WHO KNOWS ABOUT TRANSMISSIONS. HE SAID THAT HE HAD FIXED MANY TAURUSES BEFORE, BUT HAD NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH A PROBLEM. FINALLY, I DECIDED CALL FORD TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SIMPLY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, WHICH I HAD ALREADY AT FIRST. I TOOK IT BACK TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER LOCATED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF NORTHERN BLVD. THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AS THE LAST FORD DEALER. AFTER ALL THIS CONFUSION, I DECIDED TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AND I HAVE BEEN TO FLORIDA AND BACK ALREADY TWO TIMES FROM MY HOME (NEW YORK). I USE THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. I AM VERY UPSET AND CONFUSED ABOUT ALL OF THIS. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND I THINK I DESERVE AN EXPLANATION THE FORD COMPANY. I SENT IN THIS INFORMATION TO YOU PEOPLE (NHTSA) TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! -CARLOS. *AK
ENGINE WILL REV AT A HIGH RPM OR STALL FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK
TREAD CAME OFF TIRE (FIRESTONE BRIDGESTONE P205 65RX158420). NLM
CABLE APPEARS TO BE APPOXIMATELY TOO LONG UNDER DASH CAUSING SHARP BEND AS IT GOES THROUGH FIREWALL AND EXCESSIVE BINDING, AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF CABLE WHICH CAUSES CAR TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED A SLIGHT ODOR AFTER DRIVING, THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS CHECKED AND THE CONTAINER WAS BROWN AND MUSHY SO THE FLUIDS WERE REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS MUSHY AND SMELLY AGAIN, A FORD REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT IT HAD EXPIRED, THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL AND…
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CONSUMER NOTICED A SLIGHT ODOR AFTER DRIVING, THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS CHECKED AND THE CONTAINER WAS BROWN AND MUSHY SO THE FLUIDS WERE REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS MUSHY AND SMELLY AGAIN, A FORD REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, BUT IT HAD EXPIRED, THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL AND IS REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL WORK BE COMPLETE, FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR OR BE RESPONSIBLE SINCE THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. *SLC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
A WIRE CONNECTED TO THE STARTER WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOME PART OF THE CAR CAUSING A SHORT, A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SO A FUSE WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES AND FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND A BREAK IN THE LINE WHICH HAD BEEN WORN BY RUBBING ON A BREAK CABLE. *SLC
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.