Complaints
1,132
Crashes
82
Fires
18
Injuries
73
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1135 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:96,866 mi
Crash-related:3
#270 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Crash-related:3
Fires:4
#362 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:90,420 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 135 | 3 | — | 96,866 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 70 | 3 | 4 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 62 | — | — | 90,420 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 61 | 1 | — | 112,684 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 35 | 4 | — | 94,584 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 31 | 9 | — | 128,558 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 29 | 26 | 1 | 80,123 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 28 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 24 | 2 | — | 144,307 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 22 | 1 | — | 36,500 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 16 | — | — | 188,504 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 15 | — | 1 | 41,488 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 14 | — | — | 78,426 mi | |
| Airbags | 13 | 5 | — | 109,333 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | — | — | 111,188 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 | 1 | — | 107,667 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 13 | 1 | — | 89,305 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 12 | — | — | 75,000 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | — | — | 56,467 mi |
Automatic Transmission
135
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,866
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
70
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
62
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,420
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
61
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
112,684
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
35
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,584
Unintended Acceleration
31
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
128,558
Air Bags:Frontal
29
complaints
Crashes
26
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,123
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
24
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
144,307
Steering Defects
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,500
Steering:Rack And Pinion
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
188,504
Electrical System:Ignition
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
41,488
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,426
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,333
Electrical Faults
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,188
Structure:Frame And Members
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,667
Tire Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,305
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,467
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1996 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1996 Ford Taurus has 1,132 NHTSA complaints, 82 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 135 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (135 complaints, avg 96,866 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (70 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (62 complaints, avg 90,420 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 98,430 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Ford Taurus include 82 crash-related reports, 18 fire reports, 73 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Ford Taurus?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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