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 reports
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
NHTSA ODI #10134855
63,000 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Power Train
THE INTERNET SAYS MY 1996 TAURUS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A PARK PAWL PROBLEM.THE NHTSA SAYS THAT 400,000 1996 TAURUS CARS ARE EFFECTED.MY CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK,SO I CALLED 2 LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY GAVE THE RUNAROUND STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.PLEASE ADVISE.MY VIN# IS 1FALP 52U8T A1018 63 I WANT…
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THE INTERNET SAYS MY 1996 TAURUS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A PARK PAWL PROBLEM.THE NHTSA SAYS THAT 400,000 1996 TAURUS CARS ARE EFFECTED.MY CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK,SO I CALLED 2 LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY GAVE THE RUNAROUND STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.PLEASE ADVISE.MY VIN# IS 1FALP 52U8T A1018 63 I WANT FORD TO AUTHORIZE THIS REPAIR.THANK YOU. STEPHEN BLANK 407 HAMILTON AVE. LINWOOD,N.J. 08221-1516 609 926-9277
NHTSA ODI #10129202
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Electrical SystemTires
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD A SPARE TIRE ON IT, WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. THE ELECTRICAL THINGS INSIDE THE CAR DO NOT WORK, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, A/C AND RADIO BUTTONS. THE A/C AND RADIO CUT ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE WINDSHEID WIPERS ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR …
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WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD A SPARE TIRE ON IT, WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. THE ELECTRICAL THINGS INSIDE THE CAR DO NOT WORK, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, A/C AND RADIO BUTTONS. THE A/C AND RADIO CUT ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE WINDSHEID WIPERS ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR THW WIPERS COME ON AND STAY ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. ALSO, I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNDER WATER.
NHTSA ODI #10126699
130,000 miles · May 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
CONSUMER STATES: THE LATCH ON PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT WILL NOT LATCH WHEN SHUTTING THE DOOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10120262
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS MADE ONE MONTH TO EARLY AND THAT HER VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR A PARK PIN WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED…
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DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS MADE ONE MONTH TO EARLY AND THAT HER VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR A PARK PIN WHICH WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES ROLLED WHILE PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND, BUT MOSTLY ROLLED WHILE ON HILLS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO START THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT SHE MAY FORGET TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND LEAVE HER VEHICLE. SHE ACTUALLY HAS HAD TO CHASE AFTER THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING INTO PARK SUDDENLY AND SHE'D HAVE TO TAKE IT IN AND OUT OF GEARS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10120020
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2005
Suspension
ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS - RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED BROKEN SPRING TO GO INTO RF TIRE CAUSING MASSIVE TIRE DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL. FAILURE WAS AT LOW SPEED SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NEW COIL SPRING AND NEW TIRE WERE PURCHASED & INSTALLED. I'VE READ THAT TAURUSES OF OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS IMPORTANT ISS…
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ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS - RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED BROKEN SPRING TO GO INTO RF TIRE CAUSING MASSIVE TIRE DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL. FAILURE WAS AT LOW SPEED SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NEW COIL SPRING AND NEW TIRE WERE PURCHASED & INSTALLED. I'VE READ THAT TAURUSES OF OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE 1996 TAURUS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS SHOULD NOT BRAKE AND A MECHANIC FRIEND INFORMED ME OF THIS NHTSA WEB SITE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL FOR THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FAILURE AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE PAID FOR PRIOR REPAIRS. THANKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116729
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2005
Power Train
1996 FORD TAURUS PURCHASED BY MY FAMILY IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1996 FROM HEWLETT-PACKARD FLEET VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING GEAR (CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK) SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN 3 "PARKING PAWL" RECALLS ON THE FORD TAURUS IN 1996--ALL OCCURRING PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE OF THE …
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1996 FORD TAURUS PURCHASED BY MY FAMILY IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1996 FROM HEWLETT-PACKARD FLEET VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING GEAR (CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK) SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN 3 "PARKING PAWL" RECALLS ON THE FORD TAURUS IN 1996--ALL OCCURRING PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE OF THE CAR. NOW, FORD IS TELLING ME THAT THE RECALLS DON'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. SEEMS SUSPICIOUS SINCE I AM EXPERIENCING THE VERY PROBLEM THAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE 3 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALLS LISTED AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116220
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2005
Structure
I NOTICED A CLICKING IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING,STOPPING AND ACCELERATING WICH VERY QUICKLY GRADUATED TO A LOUD POPPING SOUND.AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE GARAGE THEY FOUND THAT THE HALF SHAFT AND TIE ROD WERE DAMAGED ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.AFTER REPLACING THE PARTS IT WAS STILL POPPING.THEY PUT IT ON A HOIST AND REALIZED THAT THE…
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I NOTICED A CLICKING IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING,STOPPING AND ACCELERATING WICH VERY QUICKLY GRADUATED TO A LOUD POPPING SOUND.AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE GARAGE THEY FOUND THAT THE HALF SHAFT AND TIE ROD WERE DAMAGED ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.AFTER REPLACING THE PARTS IT WAS STILL POPPING.THEY PUT IT ON A HOIST AND REALIZED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE.THIS WAS IMEDIATELY DECLARED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE HALF SHAFT AND TIE ROD.AFTER TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME, HE NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR WAS NEAR COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AS WELL.I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS THE SAME CAR (MODEL AND YEAR) AND HE IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS WITH HIS CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114783
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2005
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM FAILURES; INITALLY RAIDO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL. FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS RESUME OPERATION. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED, AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HAS SEEN 3 OTHER '96 TAURUS' WITH SAME ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10113957
888,000 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year