1996 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR CARRIAGE HAD CORRODED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW UNDER FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST AND HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN UPDATED 03/19/13 UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, AND SHE HIT SEVERAL CURBS AND TWO TIRES BURST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE HIT A LAMP POST AND SOME SHRUBS, AS WELL AS AN ATM MACHINE. UPDATED 04/10/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, HIT HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,890.

THE MOTOR CRADLE IN MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S 1996 TAURUS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE AS SHE WAS MAKING A TURN. THIS CAUSED THE MOTOR TO PARTIALLY DROP MAKING STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 1995 TAURUS IN DEC. OF 1998. MY QUESTION IS IF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 1998 THEN WHY WOULD THE 1996 TAURUS NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CREDIBLE DOCUMENTATION THAT FORD SUBSTANTIALLY FIXED A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR CRADLES IN THE 1996 TAURUS TWO YEARS BEFORE THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM PROMPTING THE 1998 RECALL. SHORT OF THAT, I WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE FIXED BY FORD. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. BRAKE LINES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR RUPTURED AND DRAINED SYSTEM OF BRAKE FLUID AND CAR HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. IT ROLLED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND THANKFULLY HE WASN'T HURT. APPARENTLY THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON WITH OLDER CARS. BOTH LINES BEING REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD FROM AN UNKNOWN ENTRY SOURCE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING THE MOLDING AND SEALANT FOR THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLAINT ON THE CONTACTS BEHALF AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,456 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,426.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DURING THE CRASH ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DURING DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DETACHED FROM THE DASHBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE WAS CORRODED, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT SEATS, STEERING CONTROL ARMS, DASHBOARD, AND TRANSAXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.

MY 1996 FORD TAURUS GL STALLED DUE TO A FAILED CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER THAT BROKE. IT ONLY HAS 106,500 MILES ON IT. I UNDERSTAND THE 1997'S HAVE A RECALL - WHY AREN'T THE 1996 TAURUS INCLUDED ?? THESE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

96 TAURUS SHO V8 3.4L CAMSHAFT FAILURE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR IN PERFECT SHAPE WITH TUNE UP AND ALL. IT IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS NO RUST. I HAVE NICE EXHAUST SYSTEM PUT ON BY A MECHANIC AND ALSO A COLD AIR INTAKE PUT ON AND A NEW TRANS IN JULY NOW WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON IT.. I HEARD TICKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OUT OF NO WHERE. I DON'T BEAT ON MY CAR AND HAVE READ THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER EITHER WAY IF YOU BEAT ON IT OR NOT THE CAM FAILURE CAN STILL HAPPEN. SO I HEARD THE TICKING SO I DROVE IT HOME FROM WORK TO PARK IT BECAUSE I FIGURED IT WAS THE CAMS. SO I WAS GOING TO GET IT WELDED THE NEXT DAY AND 5 MIN FROM MY HOUSE THE CAR SHUT OFF AND SO I PULLED THE VALVE COVERS AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS THE BACK CAM NEAR THE FIRE WALL THAT HAD SLIPPED. I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION. ALSO DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT US CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE FORD DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW IM OUT OF A CAR. I WANT ACTION DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

1996 FORD TAURUS, DRIVER FELT VEHICLE SHAKE, PULLED TO THE RIGHT BERM AND RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THERE WERE FIVE BROKEN TIRE SPOKES ALONG WITH A SCRAPED BRAKE ROTOR FROM CONTACT WITH THE ROADWAY. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0385-91) *JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES AND STORED INSIDE I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME RUSTED OUT THIS BAD. *TR

THE FRAME IS CRACKED. *TR

DOUGLAS TIRE ON 1996 FORD TAURUS "CAME APART" ON I-10, NO APPARENT PUNCTURE OR OTHER SIGNS OF HITTING AN OBJECT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

THE REAR SPRINGS OF MY 1996 FORD TAURUS GL HAVE BOTH BROKEN THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

1996 FORD TAURUS GL, 147,000 MILES. WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS LOW SPEED, NO ONE HARMED. REQUIRES NEW SPRING AND TIRE AT A MINIMUM. *TR

COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE OF ALL TYPES ALL PART PRONE TO EXTREME CHEMICAL CORROSION VERY AGGRAVATING PROBLEM AND NOW THE COOLANT BYPASS HOSE HAS FAILED WITH THE SAME CORROSIVE SYMPTOMS AS THE OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR

96' FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THIS LEAK CAUSES EITHER A SHORT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR OR THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. BLOWER MOTOR WORKS SOMETIMES OR DOESN'T, USUALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND THE CORRESPONDING LEAK CAUSES A SHORT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS UP NORTH WHEN THE DEFROSTING OF THE WINDSHIELD IS A NECESSITY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AREA. THE WATER WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

BRAKE LINE FAILURE. LOST BRAKES IN PARKING LOT. BRAKE LINE ROTTED THROUGH. REPAIRED BY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD CARS. IF THIS DOESN'T REQUIRE A RECALL AND REPAIR I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF CAMSHAFT GEAR SPINNING ON CAM. DURING NORMAL DRIVING ENGINE STOPPED IN ROADWAY,REQUIRING TOW OFF ROADWAY TO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE AUTO IS A 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO 3.4 V8 .AFTER STUDYING THIS PROBLEM I FIND THIS CAM FAILURE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANY AND COULD BE PREVENTED BY WELDING THE CAM SPROCKET TO THE CAMSHAFT. THE REPAIR TO THIS ENGINE IS VERY EXPENSIVE,AND I THOUGHT NHSTA SHOULD BE AWARE OF MY FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 96 FORD TAURUS THAT HAS A BROKEN FRONT SPRING (AND I OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT) AND IT CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW ON THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED A TRACTOR TRAILER, AND ALMOST SURELY MY DEATH. *TR

THE UNIROYAL TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE DEVELOPED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE JUST SITTING IN ITS COMPARTMENT. *TR

TL*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.

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... *TR

THE TRANSMISSION PARTIALLY SHIFTS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND IS INCREASING IN OCCURRENCE. *TR

BOUGHT MY 1996 TAURUS IN JAN 1999 FROM A DEALER. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE & COOLING SYSTEM THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1999. I HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT,HOSES (WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM) DUE TO RUST AN SLUDGE IN SYSTEM. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FOR 12 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CRACKED HEAD. THE THERMOSTAT NEVER REGISTERED HOT ONLY NOTICED THE OVER HEATING WHEN THE STEAM WAS BILLOWING OUT, IT WAS TO LATE THEN AS ENGINE DIED. OFF & ON THE THERMOSTAT WOULD FLUCTUATE ANYWHERE FROM COLD TO UP TO 95 % HOT AND THE ENGINE TEMP WOULD NOT BE HOT. DUE TO THE PROBLEM I AM NOW WITHOUT A FAMILY CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A NEW ENGINE OR BUY A NEW VEHICLE. IS FORD DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM? I KNOW MY WARRANTY HAS LONG EXPIRED BUT WHAT ABOUT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND GETTING HELP WITH IT? *TR

DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM ON YOKO AVID TRZ-ITEM # YH03720655T BOUGHT AT MERCHANT'S TIRE. THE VALVE STEM CRACKED AT THE BASE CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE TIRE BEAD WAS RUINED BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER. *TR

BRAKES FAILED GRADUALLY FAST..LOST PRESSURE IN PEDAL....DURING SNOW STORM...WITH KIDS IN CAR...BRAKES GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR...NO SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT , OR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT ALL!!! BARELY GOT HOME THAT NIGHT,TOLD NOT TO DRIVE IT ,NOW WERE SNOWED IN SO NO ONE HAS HAD A CHANCE TO SEE WHY THIS IS ... *TR

I HAVE A1996 FORD TAURUS SHO V-8,IT JUST TURNED 80,000 MILES AND HAS HAD ALL REGULAR SERVICE AND NOW THE CAMSHAFT GEAR HAS FAILED ON THE CAMSHAFT AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE!I WORK AT A FORD DEALER AND SEE THIS ENGINE FAILURE OFTEN. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS COMMON ON THE V-8 SHO ENGINE AROUND 75,000-85,000 MILES AND SOMETIMES THERE IS A TICKING NOISE THAT IS CONSIDERED A WARNING SIGN TOO GET REPAIRS BUT THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING FROM MY ENGINE. I HAVE DONE ALL KINDS OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE LAWSUITS AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND BLOGS DEVOTED TO THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT I DON,T HAVE ANY INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTANCE ON THESE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT ARE DEFINITELY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND I HAVE 18 FORD TECHNICIANS THAT ARE FACTORY TRAINED TOO BACK THIS UP!I DID NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE NEW SO I CAN,T SAY IT WAS NEVER ABUSED BUT AFTER PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLING THE ENGINE SO FAR IT IS CLEAR THAT IT WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND CARED FOR (IT LOOKS BRAND NEW INSIDE)THERE IS ZERO SLUDGE AND CAMS AND FOLLOWERS ARE SPOTLESS. I WILL NEED TO PULL THE REAR HEAD AND SEND TO MACHINE SHOP FOR EXHAUST VALVE REPLACEMENT AND DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH DAMAGE MAYBE GUIDES AS WELL. I AM VERY CURIOUS AS TOO HOW MANY OF THESE ENGINE FAILURES ARE ALWAYS ONLY THE REAR HEAD EXHAUST CAMSHAFT BECAUSE SO FAR ALL I HAVE SEEN IS THE REAR EXHAUST CAMSHAFT GEAR FAILURE AND THAT IS A F- IN MY GRADE BOOK! *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK, WHEN HER TIRE EXPLODED. SHE CALLED CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND. APPARENTLY THE COIL SPRING SHOT OFF THE STRUT ASSY AND PUNCTURED THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY SHE WASN'T DRIVING TOO FAST AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT! UPON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SITUATION, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD TAURUS AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ONLY NEWER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. WHY IS THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY RECALLED WITH ONLY CERTAIN YEAR OF MAKES???? WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED. I EVEN CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ONLINE. IF I WAS INFORMED OF THIS RECALL, THEN I WOULD'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO PUT GUARDS ON THE COIL SPRINGS WITH MY OWN MONEY, BECAUSE A LIFE IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY OR A PRODUCT. PLEASE REALIZE THAT THIS COULD'VE BEEN VERY VERY BAD AND COULD HAPPENED TO ANYONE. *TR

TL*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. *LJ

THE 1996 TAURUS THAT I DRIVE HAD A THUD/CLANKING NOISE UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. REPLACED BRAKES, AND WHILE THE CAR WAS JACKED UP I FOUND EXTREME RUST THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER'S REAR ON THE SUBFRAME CARRIAGE AND CARRIAGE BOLT. THIS CAR WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 115,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ROTTED OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT ANY REPAIRS WE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL, AND THAT THEY HAVE LETTERS FROM FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS ONLY COVERED THROUGH THE 1995 MODEL YEAR.*AK

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! *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12/19//06 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 309, AT ABOUT 5O MPH ON A CLEAR NIGHT WITH GOOD ROAD CONDITION. THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HE WAS CONFUSED FOR A MINUTE AND THEN HE PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AIR BAG BUT NO FIRE. THE CONTACT DID CALL POLICE AND DOES HAVE A REPORT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS TRIED SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURE, AND HAS RECEIVE NO RESOLUTION. INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER.

DT*: 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.

1996 FORD TAURUS SITTING IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR EXCEPT OUR SMALL DOG. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR INCLUDING BROKEN WINDSHIELD. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HITTING A GUARD RAIL WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR PAINT DAMAGE. AFTER BEING DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED A STABILIZER BAR.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END,AND ALSO HAD STEERING DIFFICULTIES. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP INFORMATION. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC INFORMED ABOUT INCIDENTS WHERE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY THE FRACTURED COIL AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. UPDATED 1/19/2007 - *NM

ABOUT 30 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE HAD A DAMAGED AREA ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. THE DAMAGED AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES LONG AND WAS CENTERED ON THE SIDEWALL IN A CIRCUMFERENTIAL ORIENTATION. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER WHERE IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED. *NM

ON 6/13/2006 I PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR NEW P205-65R-15 WYNSTAR TIRES FROM A LOCAL TIRE STORE AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. IN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH, IN THE RAIN. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE UPPER 50'S F. I PUT THE SPARE ON AND RETURNED THE TIRE TO THE RETAILER ON 9/5/06 FOR WARRANTY. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE OF THE SAME BRAND. ON 5-23-2007 THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT AGAIN, BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE RETAILER FOR REPAIR, THEY TRIED TO PATCH IT, BUT IT DID NOT WORK, SO THEY PUT A TUBE IN IT. A TUBE SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IN A NEW TIRE. IT IS COMPENSATING FOR SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOW ON 7-5-2007, ANOTHER TIRE IS FLAT, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THE PREVIOUS TIRES WERE 5 YEARS OLD, WITH 70,000 MILES AND NEVER WERE OFF OF THE RIM FOR REPAIR. I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT IS DRIVEN TO THE SAME PLACES AS THIS VEHICLE, (DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES) AND IT DOES NOT EXPERIENCE ANY TIRE FAILURES. BOTH VEHICLES ARE PARKED IN THE SAME DRIVEWAY. THE RETAILER IS OF NO HELP, HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THE FACTS SEEM TO TELL A DIFFERENT STORY. *AK

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. *NM

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1996 FORD TAURUS. BY A FLUKE, I WAS RECENTLY NOTIFIED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUB-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD INDICATE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS THE MAIN SUPPORT, WHICH HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IF IT WERE TO SUDDENLY DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE DRIVING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND DO NOT REALIZE IT, JUST AS I DIDN'T. I AM ASKING THAT YOU CHECK INTO THIS FURTHER AND TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS. THANK YOU, JAMES MEHRING. *NM

WOULD NOT GO TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE EXCHANGING LANES WAS HIT IN THE REAR. *JB

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL UNEXPECTEDLY SNAPPED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND PUNCTURED TIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ROLL INTO A NEAR LOT. *JB

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2 DAYS. WENT OUT BEFORE SCHEDULED SERVICE AT DEALER. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS RETURNED. DEALER ADVISED TO RETURN CAR IMMEDIATELY IF LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WITH LIGHT ON AND AN "UNKNOWN CODE" WAS RETURNED BY DIAGNOSTIC UNIT. APPROX 3 WEEKS LATER, WITHOUT WARNING, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. CAR FILLED WITH POWDER MAKING VISIBILITY IMPOSSIBLE, AND THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHATTERED AND PUSHED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, SCATTERING SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE FRONT SEAT. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD TARUS THAT HAD SAT FOR A YEAR. UPON BACKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FRONT SPRING BROKE. THE CAR DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRE SLASHING IT OPEN IMMEDIATELY. THEN I INSPECTED THE OTHER SPRINGS ONLY TO FIND THAT ANOTHER SPRING HAD A BREAK IN IT ALSO. THE SPRINGS WERE NOT RUSTY AND THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED. *JB

1996 FORD TAURUS LX BRAKE LINES HAVE DEVELOPED A RUST PROBLEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED NEARLY EVERY PART OF THE BRAKE LINE THAT WAS NOT RUBBER COATED HAD RUSTED THROUGH. *JB

THE INTERNET SAYS MY 1996 TAURUS HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A PARK PAWL PROBLEM.THE NHTSA SAYS THAT 400,000 1996 TAURUS CARS ARE EFFECTED.MY CAR WON'T STAY IN PARK,SO I CALLED 2 LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY GAVE THE RUNAROUND STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.PLEASE ADVISE.MY VIN# IS 1FALP 52U8T A1018 63 I WANT FORD TO AUTHORIZE THIS REPAIR.THANK YOU. STEPHEN BLANK 407 HAMILTON AVE. LINWOOD,N.J. 08221-1516 609 926-9277