1996 Ford Taurus. Consumer states problem with the park pawl the consumer stated when she put the gear in park, the park pawl did not engage, which cause the vehicle to roll. The consumer spoke with her mechanic and he informed her a recall had been issued in 1996 for certain vehicles. The consumer went to the dealer to have the problem addressed. While the dealer did acknowledge the recall and the consumers vehicle was equipped with ax4N automatic transaxles, she was advised her vehicle was not included in the recall.

- Arlington, VA, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. It cranks, but the ignition does not turn over until she depresses the accelerator pedal. The vehicle would stall at least ten to twelve times before it would start. She took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the fuel injectors and brake switch interlock were the causes of the failure. The vehicle is also stuck in park and will not move. In order to start the vehicle, she has to turn the ignition off and shift into neutral. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/05/09.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

The transmission partially shifts between first and second gears intermittently. This has been happening for a couple months and is increasing in occurrence.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Taurus. The contact has experienced minor shifting failure. The vehicle would not properly shift into park. Occasionally, when the vehicle was started, it failed to move. When the vehicle is placed into park and the contact's foot is removed from the brake pedal, the vehicle begins to roll backwards. In addition, the vehicle shifts out of first gear very hard, and the engine revs up to 3,000 rpms. A transmission flush was performed, which stopped the failure. NHTSA campaign id numbers 96V086000 and 96V166000 (powertrain:automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl)) were referenced. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

My transmission went out while I was going to work out of town. Causing me to have to replace it and call a tow truck. I missed a day of work. Had to rent a car. I hit a ditch and had 2 flats on the right side.

- Jennings, LA, USA

My 96 Ford Taurus gl has the following electrical problems, radio goes out, seat belt light flashes and clicks, intermittent wipers fail, power windows fail, finally power steering locks up, and when running for a while transmission would slip, causing safety concerns. If put in park everything goes back working as normal. Took to shop and they say it's the transmission range sensor and that several 96 Taurus' they have worked on have had the same problem....I am wondering why this has not been a recall part if that is the case...something is definitely wrong!

- Cahokia, IL, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle slipped out of park and almost rolled backwards into a ditch. The vehicle hit a culvert causing damage to the suspension. The driver and infant passenger were not injured. The manufacturer determined the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall #96V176000 regarding the power train:automatic transmission, due to the VIN.

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

I have a 1996 Taurus gl. The car leaks oil, and then it leaked transmission fluid from the pan. The main problem with this car is the oil leak. I spent 500 to get it fixed and the darn thing stopped leaking and now it leaks again. I have a friend that has a 1997 and her car leaks also. Why did Ford make a product that leaks like a siv.

- Monticello, NY, USA

Would not go to fourth gear while exchanging lanes was hit in the rear.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

1996 Ford Taurus purchased by my family in November/December 1996 from hewlett-packard fleet vehicles. We've had intermittent problems with the parking gear (car rolls when in park) since we got the car. I found that there had been 3 "parking pawl" recalls on the Ford Taurus in 1996--all occurring prior to our purchase of the car. Now, Ford is telling me that the recalls don't apply to my vehicle. Seems suspicious since I am experiencing the very problem that was described in the 3 automatic transmission recalls listed at the NHTSA web site. What are my options?

- Arlington, VA, USA

Progressive system failures; initally raido goes out, seat belt light flashes and clicks, intermittent wipers fail. Finally power steering locks up, causing safety concerns. If put in park electrical systems resume operation. Transmission range sensor replaced, automotive shop has seen 3 other '96 Taurus' with same issue.

- Springfield, MO, USA

With vehicle in park, it rolled backwards. The consumer was found fatally crushed beneath the front driver side rocker panel and tire. The vehicle rolled backwards despite the fact that the transmission indicator was in the park position. The police concluded that the consumer parked on a paved driveway on a uphill incline.

- Wrightstown, PA, USA

Transmission has failed. Started by not shifting into overdrive. Then as I was driving down the road it completely went out leaving me coasting into a parking lot. There was no signs or warning lights to indicate a problem. It only has 72,000 miles on it.

- Pfafftown, NC, USA

While driving, the engine light illuminated. The consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the transmission. The consumer stated the transmission and engine was in the process of failing.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The consumer complained about transmission failure. While driving, the transmission suddenly malfunctioned. It was called sudden transmission failure of clutch plates which caused the park pin plate not to stay in position. The consumer was told by the manufacturer and dealer that the pin did not stay engaged in the park position. He was told by dealer that Ford was aware of this problem and there was a recall on this problem, but because he lived in Canada he never received thr recall notice. The consumer purchased the vehicle in Canada. The consumer spent about $5000-6000 in repairs on something that was recalled and no one wanted to help him because of where he lived.

- Canada, 00, USA

While driving 5 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle but was unable to do so. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission clutch plate needed to be replaced.

- Kitchener Montero Canada, 00, USA

Consumer shifted vehicle to park, but vehicle would actually be in the reverse gear. This would cause a problem for the consumer when trying to park the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

I was on the highway with my car and just as I exited, the car began jerking uncontrollably as I came to a stop light. Even with my foot on the brake the car would do this. The following day I couldn't even go to work and had one mechanic tell me it was the transmission and he could repair for $1600+(not incl tax). I took the car to another mechanic the following day and was basically told that this was common with the Taurus's and that the repair would cost $1901 (tax incl). Apparently this is a common problem based on the complaints I have read. Ford should really address this. The problem specifically was:torque converter, neutral safety switch, overdrive piston, pump shaft, etc.

- Miramar, FL, USA

While driving transmission failed, causing the driver to pull off the highway. The driver had vehicle towed to the dealer.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

Had to replace the transmission in my car 2 times.

- Winter Haven , FL, USA