What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Taurus?

Owners filed 849 complaints. The engine group is the largest at 236 complaints, followed by the power train group at 184.

Does the 1996 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes. This year has 6 recalls. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Taurus get?

See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.

Is the 1996 Ford Taurus reliable?

Owners filed 849 complaints with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what owners report, not as a score.

Which year of the Ford Taurus is best?

Use the year comparison section on this page. It is generated from the data, and complaint counts are best compared between years of the same model.

1996 Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls and MPG

Owners filed 849 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Ford Taurus^[1]. The engine group is the largest one on file^[2].

849owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[3]

18–21MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most, biggest first. One complaint can name more than one group.

Engine. 236 complaints^[2]. Owners describe stalling, hesitation when pulling away, odd noises, and a coolant smell inside the cabin.
Power Train. 184 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car slipping out of park and rolling, and a transmission sensor that failed while driving.
Steering. 101 complaints^[6]. Owners describe vibration in the wheel, power steering that seems to switch off in a turn, and noise from the column.
Brakes. 71 complaints^[7]. Owners describe an ABS warning light that keeps coming on and moments when the pedal gave little braking.
Suspension. 60 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 58 complaints^[9]. This group includes 5 fires^[9].
Visibility. 56 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 46 complaints^[11]. This group has 32 crashes and 40 injuries attached^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 1996 Taurus is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (98V067), March 1998. About 400 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.^[12]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (96V176), September 1996. About 340,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (96V166), September 1996. About 40,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System (96V151), August 1996. About 4,700 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.^[15]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission (96V086), May 1996. About 100,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: reduced braking.^[16]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Brake Fluid Low Warning › Lamp (96V016), January 1996. About 76,500 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: reduced braking.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Taurus SHO, 3.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	15 / 24 / 18	$4,550
Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	17 / 26 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[23].

How 1996 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Taurus model year. The 1996 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	1,214	7
1996	849	6
1997	800	3
1998	555	2
1999	895	5
2000	1,195	8
2001	1,037	9
2002	1,426	3
2003	1,223	3
2004	375	1
2005	774	0
2006	318	2
2007	149	0
2008	328	1
2009	75	1
2010	204	3
2011	187	4
2012	79	5
2013	591	9
2014	235	5
2015	280	6
2016	85	4
2017	44	4
2018	52	4
2019	18	2

NHTSA's counts for the Taurus show 849 complaints and 6 recalls for 1996^[3]. Among the 25 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 1996 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (18) and the most are for 2002 (1,426)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 1996 Taurus?

The 1996 Taurus has a long list of owner complaints, led by the engine and power train groups^[2]^[5]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold^[1]. Some groups carry more serious outcomes than others, so the air bag and electrical groups deserve a closer look if you are shopping^[11]^[9]. The page also lists recalls for this year, so check that section before you decide^[3]. A well kept car may still be fine, but go in knowing where owners ran into trouble.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Taurus?: Owners filed 849 complaints^[1]. The engine group is the largest at 236 complaints^[2], followed by the power train group at 184^[5].
Does the 1996 Ford Taurus have recalls?: Yes. This year has 6 recalls^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Taurus get?: See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 1996 Ford Taurus reliable?: Owners filed 849 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what owners report, not as a score.
Which year of the Ford Taurus is best?: Use the year comparison section on this page. It is generated from the data, and complaint counts are best compared between years of the same model^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Taurus

1996 this page
1999 895 complaints, 5 recalls
2000 1,195 complaints, 8 recalls
2001 1,037 complaints, 9 recalls
2002 1,426 complaints, 3 recalls
2003 1,223 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 375 complaints, 1 recall
2006 318 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 591 complaints, 9 recalls
2014 235 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 280 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Taurus

Other Ford models from 1996

1996 Ford Contour 563 complaints, 8 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 1996: midsize cars

1996 Nissan Maxima 96 complaints, 0 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 849 owner complaints on file for the 1996 Ford Taurus (70 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 71 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
236 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,642). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Taurus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
184 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
101 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
71 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,000). NHTSA vehicle records
60 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,500). NHTSA vehicle records
58 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
56 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
46 complaints name the air bags component group (32 crashes, 1 fires, 40 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,123). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 98V067, filed March 25, 1998: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 96V176, filed September 18, 1996: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 96V166, filed September 5, 1996: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
Recall 96V151, filed August 12, 1996: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 96V086, filed May 14, 1996: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 96V016, filed January 25, 1996: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Brake Fluid Low Warning › Lamp. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus SHO, 3.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

1996 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and fuel economy