1996 Ford Taurus
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 101 |
| 1987 | 255 |
| 1988 | 333 |
| 1989 | 562 |
| 1990 | 381 |
| 1991 | 649 |
| 1992 | 681 |
| 1993 | 1557 |
| 1994 | 923 |
| 1995 | 1205 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1195 |
| 2001 | 1037 |
| 2002 | 1426 |
| 2003 | 1223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 202 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 579 |
| 2014 | 227 |
| 2015 | 253 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: power train — 133 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATH8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 69 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 61 distinct reports on file.
INJURY7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 58 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY4% of complaints: steering — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR (ALSO CALLED PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH) SHORTS INTERNALLY AND CAUSES THE VARIABLY ASSISTED STEERING TO MALFUNCTION (STOP ASSISTING ENTIRELY). DATE OF INCIDENT MAY NOT BE EXACT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030120
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
Campaign 96V016000 — check if this car was fixed
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 U
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 PARKI
Campaign 96V086000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SHO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Campaign 96V166000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THOSE REGULATORS PRODUCED DURING THE SUSPECT TIME PERIOD WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 96V151000 — check if this car was fixed
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 LEV
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.
Campaign 96V176000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
Campaign 98V067000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (133 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (69 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (61 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V016000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V086000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V166000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V151000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V176000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V067000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Taurus have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.