10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Ford Taurus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #22

Jan 152000

Taurus

  • miles
Rack & pinion sttering had to be replaced on four occasion within a year. Dealer did the repairs. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

problem #21

Aug 202000

Taurus

  • miles
ABS light comes on intermittently. When ABS light is off, brakes work normally. When malfunction occurs, the brakes buzz on application and stopping distance increases dramatically then the ABS light will illuminate. I called Ford and they will not offer any dealer financial assistance.also the steering gearbox makes a loud groan and vibration when recovering from a right turn. Some resistance is felt attempting to turn the wheel back to the left. The vibration is felt in the steering wheel. Again Ford refuses to assist even though there are multiple similar complaints on both of my complaints in your listings.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 202000

Taurus

  • miles
ABS light comes on intermittently. When ABS light is off, brakes work normally. When malfunction occurs, the brakes buzz on application and stopping distance increases dramatically then the ABS light will illuminate. I called Ford and they will not offer any dealer financial assistance.also the steering gearbox makes a loud groan and vibration when recovering from a right turn. Some resistance is felt attempting to turn the wheel back to the left. The vibration is felt in the steering wheel. Again Ford refuses to assist even though there are multiple similar complaints on both of my complaints in your listings.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #19

Jun 052000

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Jasper, IN, USA

problem #18

May 132000

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
There is a terrible squeaking noise when turning right. The Ford mechanic said there is a big problem with Taurus's. he said Ford changed the design in the model. Our three year-warranty expired in November. There was a small problem before but now it is quite noticeable. The mechanic said the repair cost would be $700. Why should the consumer pay if there is a design problem made by Ford? our car has very low mileage and has been well maintained-- always a 3,000 mile oil change. I have checked on internet under Ford Taurus complaints and there are many dissatisfied Taurus customers because of the faulty rack and pinion.

- Urbsandale, IA, USA

problem #17

Apr 012000

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving heard a noise in front end of vehicle. This problem is most noticeable when making a left or a right turn. Dealer states that noise is due to a malfunction within the rack and pinion steering.

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #16

Dec 021999

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Due to a defective steering rack and pinion steering malfunctioned, resulting in loss of control.

- Fergus Falls, MN, USA

problem #15

Nov 061997

Taurus

  • miles
The major problem was engine overheating, brown coolant, loss of heater. Ford repeated flushed out the heater core, replaced the coollant, flushed out engine, radiator. After about a year of this they finally had to replace the engine with another engine, a rebuilt one of course. They continued to have to flush out the brown coolant. Now the heater does not work again. They say that since my warranty is up I must pay for the heater core even though they knew it was going bad and that they had two recalls on brown coolant problems. They say they have not had any problems with engines if they performed the recall. They should have replaced the heater core according to the recall notice 98-B23 and 98B23-S1 but did not. They replaced the steering rack three times to get rid of the noise when turning. Then they replaced the spindles which the ends should have been sealed at the factory but were not. They ground down the rotors several times to keep the car from vibrating and replaced them once. They replaced the door lock which wouldn't allow you to open the car on the drivers side and then replaced the hood latch so you could get under the hood. They have replaced the ac knob twice since the plastic inside keeps breaking. This car has been a piece of junk since I got it and continues to have problems especially with the coolent and the heater system.

- Brooks, GA, USA

problem #14

Aug 011998

Taurus

  • miles
It was noted that there is a common problem in relation to the design of the rack and pinion causing a noise on the return of the wheel. I have been informed by the dealership, Ford, the entire rack and pinion system should be replaced and they are very familiar with the problem. In a car not even three years old this shows a definate need for a recal or at least some manufacturer support. Thank you

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #13

Feb 181999

Taurus

  • miles
No summary listed for this vehicle.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #12

Nov 011998

Taurus

  • miles
Consumer didn't entry summary.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #11

Nov 011998

Taurus

  • miles
None

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #10

Sep 041996

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack and pinion failed twice times.

- Elmhurst, NY, USA

problem #9

Feb 061997

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Thumping noise on turns due to failure of the rack and pinion steering.

- Camp Hill, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 011996

Taurus

  • miles
Grinding/vibrating noise from steering when making low speed right turn due to defective rack and pinion steering. In addition, in some weather conditions, when defroster is activated, windshield fogs up, causing visibility problems.

- Pickerington, OH, USA

problem #7

Nov 061997

Taurus

  • miles
While driving the defective power steering causing noises in the right side of the vehicle and no power steering which caused loss of control of the vehicle. Dealer replaced rack pinion and power steering pump. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #6

Dec 151996

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The defective design of the power steering system malfuctions when water is sprayed into the power steering belts, and causes loss of power steering and vehicle control. Dealer replaced 2 pumps, rack and pinion. Dealer cannot determine problem.

- Kerrville, TX, USA

problem #5

Dec 241995

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack and pinion failed due to oil leak.

- West Hills, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 261997

(reported on)

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The power steering gear failed, causing the steering to bind on right turns.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 051996

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack and pinion noise when steering wheel is turned.

- Culver City, CA, USA

Read the next 2 complaints »