1996 Ford Taurus problems
Owners have filed 1,132 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 21.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 16.8%.
Complaints1,132
Crashes82
Fires18
Injuries73
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 21.1% · 239
Power train 16.8% · 190
Steering 10.1% · 114
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.0% · 79
Suspension 5.6% · 63
Visibility 5.4% · 61
Electrical system 5.2% · 59
Structure 4.2% · 48
Severity
Of those complaints, 82 describe a crash, 18 describe a fire, 73 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Taurus in this data, 1996 sits 8th by complaint volume. 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 98,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Ongoing problem with engine stalling during deceleration. Vehicle has been in dealer shop and independent repair shops on six occasions, and problem still reoccurring. *Ak stalling mostly occurs when driving on a down grade while slowing, consumer states vehicle will not stall if the air conditioner is turned on, nothing comes up when vehicle has been hooked up to diagnostics computer to find out problem. *Slc Engine and engine cooling
Engine coolant temperature fluctuates. Gurgleing sound under hood during fluctuations. Odor heat smell enters car during fluctuations. Dealer claims fluctuations are normal, but, did install a bypass kit on the cooling system after numerous returns to the dealrship. Ford consumer line representatives claimsthere are no problems reported on the make and model, and there are no recalls on the make and model. Engine and engine cooling
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. *Slc Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…