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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,651 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Taurus miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1996 Ford Taurus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Jan 252016

Taurus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #26

Jun 082008

Taurus

  • 140,663 miles
Parking shifter hitting the brake line coming from master cylinder...notice brake light coming on and kept putting fluid in it but then got under car and noticed fluid leaking all over lines....have no brakes now...

- Comer, GA, USA

problem #25

Jul 152003

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
We had problems with our heater core and ended up replacing it. We continually have problems with the rear calipars and hae replaced them twice and repaired them once (they seize). We currently have problems with peeling paint on the roof of the car, and window seals that we have not yet fixed; are there any recalls for these problems? a body shop technician told us that it looks as though the car has already been repainted once; we are not the original owner of the car.

- Kitchener, UN, USA

problem #24

Jun 152003

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This car continually stalls out, the battery light comes on, the engine repair light comes on, the underneath suspension squeeks and groans, the brakes squeak, the wheel doesn't turn when the car stalls out. It has happened numerous times when I am turning a corner, the car stalls out and the wheel will not turn. Now the computor systems are not working the air conditioning. I have to restart the car to get the radio and the air conditioning to start up. These things happen but no one can find a problem.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #23

May 152003

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,925 miles
In May 03 Ford said trans. Was just wore out. Had rebuilt by aamco and then at the end of July trans. Had no park, was just like in nutral. On the way to aamco trans. Fell apart. Aamco tryed to say we did something wrong, but decided that we couldn't have so are in the process of trying to find a new case for are ax4N trans. Now. It has been over two weeks now and still can not find a case. Hope they find soon so can get car back and get rid of it, never to own another Ford. This car has had continual small but still problems never the less sence we purchased it. Have been a Ford lover all my life and am kind of sad to say I will never own another Ford.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #22

Jun 152003

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Headlights would only work some of the time. Dealer replaced defective headlight switch. The engine developed a high pitched squeal, almost like a belt squeal. It was determined the cam synchronizer was defective. At that time the cam position sensor was also found to be defective. The magnet was falling out. The coolant overflow bottle was discolored, leaking and full of cracks causing antifreeze to pour out of the cooling system. Ford acknowledges there is a bank to bank coolant flow imbalance on some 1996 model year Taurus leading to contaminated/corroded coolant. Recall 98B23 was performed. But the damage was already done to the rest of the cooling system.

- Morgan Hill, CA, USA

problem #21

Mar 202003

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The consumer wanted to know if there were any recalls regarding her vehicle.

- Zephyrhills, FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 012001

Taurus

  • miles
The display shows that the door is ajar when it is not, this prevents the doors from locking and the interior lights from going off.

- Blooming Prairie, MN, USA

problem #19

May 092000

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer turned on the heater and defroster and cold air along with a mist that filled the inside of the vehicle and covered the windshield. The consumer had to use paper napkins to clear the windows. The heater core is an existing problem that reoccurs every 3 months since April 2001. The dealer was notified. Nlm coolant leak. Dealer replaced heater core 5 times. Right rear window inoperative. Dealer replaced right rear window motor. Switch on air conditioner control head falls off. Dealer rpelaced cracked center control knob. Sunglass compartment in center console lid broke off. Console compartment door, hinge pins and spring replaced. Squeak noise under hood. Replaced belt tensioner and idler pulley.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #18

Nov 012001

Taurus

  • miles
The display shows that the door is ajar when it is not, this prevents the doors from locking and the interior lights from going off.

- Blooming Prairie, MN, USA

problem #17

Nov 162001

Taurus

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Second camshaft failure within one year. Repairing dealer was requested to check valve tap in September. Original chamshaft repair was done however car continued to experience engine pressure and timing problems. Requested service dealer to check valve tap in September 2001. Dealer refused to do service, explained that the problem was above their heads. Complained numerous times to Ford concerning repair and dealer's response. Dealer now believes car needs new engine. Initial repair was $3000 and took two months. Ford has been aware of the failure of the camshaft sprockets for at least 3 years. However, no action has been initiated to repair all problems at one time only to handle each camshaft after failure resulting in large repair bill.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #16

Nov 152001

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When starting vehicle, the engine check light would remain on, followed by shaking and vibration. Also intermittent stalling would occur when coming to a stop or applying accelerator pedal from a stop position, vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had some severe repairs done, problem concerning engine is still occurring, also rear brakes were replaced, the coolant overflow bottle contained a leak.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 192001

Taurus

  • miles
Freeze plugs failed at 65mph; thermostat showed normal; engine light came on only when engine died; required head gasket job...

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 032001

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
While traveling notice engine check indicator light would stay on. Technician stated that camshaft needed to be replaced.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #13

Oct 012000

Taurus

  • miles
Front dashboard detaches.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 201999

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Jackson Heights, NY, USA

problem #11

Jan 042001

Taurus

  • miles
Brakes do not work properly, consumer feels like they are bouncing. Engine check light and ABS brake light remain on when vehicle is in use.

- Simpson, SC, USA

problem #10

Aug 242000

Taurus

  • miles
My car was running hot. The service engine soon light was on. I took my car in to be service. When they diagnoised the car, I was told it was freeze plugs and that the charge was $1,575. I told them to fix my car. When I picked up my car it was shaking. I told them that the car was shaking. They told me to drive the car. It took my husband 2 months to get the money in order to get the car. Iwas told twice to drive the car. When I finally brought the back in the next day because the service soon light was back on, I was told the I had a blown head gasket, and they wanted another $495 from my husband and me to fix my car.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #9

Aug 072000

Taurus

  • miles
While traveling at 65mph, vehicle started to lose power, engine check light came on, then engine quit. Consumer had to get to shoulder by using hazard lights. While consumer was on shoulder engine caught fire. Consumer says temparature gauge went to 3 quarters intermittently.

- Parkridge, IL, USA

problem #8

Jul 072000

Taurus

  • miles
On automatic transmission we were driving and engine check light came on and wouldn't go faster than 45, cam sensor, camshaft, died rough idle, egr sensor bad, service engine soon light, dies at stops and slow downs, fuel pump doesnt hold pressure, long crank time no turn over till about a minute service engine soon light came on.

- Mcpherson, KS, USA

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