1996 FORD TAURUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,132
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
49
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 FORD TAURUS
The 1996 FORD TAURUS has received a total of 1,132 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. 49 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (135 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (70 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (62 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 1996 FORD TAURUS, potentially affecting up to 639,814 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 98V067000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 400 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V176000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 340,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V151000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
| 4,700 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V166000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
| 40,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V086000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 100,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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...
View full details →Recall 96V016000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
| 76,500 vehicles affected
Defect: THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 FORD TAURUS
1,132 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 FORD TAURUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR FOR 4,00 AND SOME CHANGE A BOUT A YEAR AGO TWO DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERY NOW AND THEN WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD CUT OFF I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE PLACE I BROUGHT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IN I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT SO I GOT SOME ONE TO FOLLOW ME AND TAKE ME BACK HOME WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR IT WAS RUNNING BUT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THEN THE DEFROST DIDN'T WORK I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM. THAT'S WHEN THE AIR CONDICTIONER STOP WORKING I JUST QUIT COMPLAIN THE CAR RAN PRETTY SMOOTH ALTHOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON . I WENT TO START MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T START SO I WENT AND BROUGHT SO HEET I THOGHT BECAUSE IT WAS COLD OUT SIDE IT IS WINTER I BEGIN HEAR A HISS LLIKE SOME AIR IS EXCAPING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD BUT YO HEAR IT INSIDE THE CAR LIKE A LOT OF STATIC. IT TIME FOR ME TO GET A TUNEUP NOW THE CAR REALLY RUNS SLUGGISH AND TURNS OFF MORE OFTEN AND YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEELS SO THAT IS SPOOKY I HAD THE CHECK LIGHT CHECKED OUT AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY LEAN SENSOR TOO MUCH AIR IS GETTING INTO THE GASOLINE AND THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CATALYIC CONVERTER
I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR FOR 4,00 AND SOME CHANGE A BOUT A YEAR AGO TWO DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND EVERY NOW AND THEN WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD CUT OFF I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE PLACE I BROUGHT IT FROM AND TOLD THEM THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IN I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE IT SO I GOT SOME ONE TO FOLLOW ME AND TAKE ME BACK HOME WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR IT WAS RUNNING BUT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. THEN THE DEFROST DIDN'T WORK I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM. THAT'S WHEN THE AIR CONDICTIONER STOP WORKING I JUST QUIT COMPLAIN THE CAR RAN PRETTY SMOOTH ALTHOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON . I WENT TO START MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND IT WOULDN'T START SO I WENT AND BROUGHT SO HEET I THOGHT BECAUSE IT WAS COLD OUT SIDE IT IS WINTER I BEGIN HEAR A HISS LLIKE SOME AIR IS EXCAPING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD BUT YO HEAR IT INSIDE THE CAR LIKE A LOT OF STATIC. IT TIME FOR ME TO GET A TUNEUP NOW THE CAR REALLY RUNS SLUGGISH AND TURNS OFF MORE OFTEN AND YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEELS SO THAT IS SPOOKY I HAD THE CHECK LIGHT CHECKED OUT AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY LEAN SENSOR TOO MUCH AIR IS GETTING INTO THE GASOLINE AND THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CATALYIC CONVERTER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR CARRIAGE HAD CORRODED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW UNDER FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST AND HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN UPDATED 03/19/13 UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, AND SHE HIT SEVERAL CURBS AND TWO TIRES BURST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE HIT A LAMP POST AND SOME SHRUBS, AS WELL AS AN ATM MACHINE. UPDATED 04/10/13
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,890.
Safety Rating for the 1996 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 FORD TAURUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 FORD TAURUS
Ford Motor Company has issued 49 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 FORD TAURUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
03141 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN VEHICLE LOCTITE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR CAMSHAFT TUBE AND GEAR. *TT
02153 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.0L 4V DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1518, INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL. *TT
0162 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) MAY NOT START OR CRANK. *TT
14319 — AIR BAGS
INFORMATION REGARDING PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE BE REPLACEMENT DURING NORMAL VEHICLE SERVICE AFTER RESTRAINT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS. *TT
13250 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INFORMATION REGARDING SLIGHT VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION. *MJS
99127 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1135 OR P1155 STORED IN MEMORY AND / OR A LONG CRANK / SLOW START. *TT
5226 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
INFORMATION ON INSTALLING A NEW FUEL PUMP ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. *TT
12238 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE POWER WINDOW CONCERNS. *TT
11773 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLIES. *TT
BC2224970501 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A KNOCK OR WOP NOISE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TW
Showing 10 of 49 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 FORD TAURUS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD TAURUS
- 1991 FORD TAURUS — 946 complaints
- 1992 FORD TAURUS — 1,009 complaints
- 1993 FORD TAURUS — 2,206 complaints
- 1994 FORD TAURUS — 1,284 complaints
- 1995 FORD TAURUS — 1,597 complaints
- 1996 FORD TAURUS (current)
- 1997 FORD TAURUS — 1,003 complaints
- 1998 FORD TAURUS — 680 complaints
- 1999 FORD TAURUS — 1,100 complaints
- 2000 FORD TAURUS — 1,497 complaints
- 2001 FORD TAURUS — 1,264 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints
- FORD MUSTANG — 11,551 total complaints