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
- 825
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 825 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 104 |
| 1987 | 259 |
| 1988 | 341 |
| 1989 | 570 |
| 1990 | 392 |
| 1991 | 659 |
| 1992 | 694 |
| 1993 | 1,565 |
| 1994 | 931 |
| 1995 | 1,208 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1,195 |
| 2001 | 1,037 |
| 2002 | 1,426 |
| 2003 | 1,223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 204 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 584 |
| 2014 | 229 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 15 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
28% · 234 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Power train
22% · 185 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show 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, 2003-01-20
Also filed under Steering
Steering
13% · 109 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and rack and pinion.
Service brakes
9% · 78 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Suspension
8% · 62 reportsMost commonly citing front and coil springs.
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1996Complaint volume 825 complaints filed for this model year.
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1996-02-21Service brakes, hydraulic96V016000 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.
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1996-07-17Power train96V086000 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…
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…
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1996-09-23Power train96V166000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
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1996-10-02Fuel system, gasoline96V151000 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.
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1996-10-09Power train96V176000 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…
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.
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1998-06-17Fuel system, gasoline98V067000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct fuel tank.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 234 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 185 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 109 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V016000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 96V086000 · Power train
- Recall 96V166000 · Power train
- Recall 96V151000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 96V176000 · Power train
- Recall 98V067000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Taurus have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.