1996 Ford Taurus Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 9%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 9% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10419301, filed 2011-08, 120,000 miles“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 ...”
NHTSA complaint #10220481, filed 2008-03, 130,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10259414, filed 2009-02, 110,000 miles“We had problems with our heater core and ended up replacing it. We continually have problems with the rear calipars and hae replaced them twice and repaired them once (they seize). We currently have problems with peeling paint on the roof of the car, and window seals that we have not yet fixed; are there any recalls for these problems? A body shop technician told us that it looks as though the car has already been repainted once; we are not the original owner of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10071269, filed 2004-01“This car continually stalls out , the battery light comes on, the engine repair light comes on, the underneath suspension squeeks and groans, the brakes squeak, the wheel doesn't turn when the car stalls out. It has happened numerous times when I am turning a corner, the car stalls out and the wheel will not turn. Now the computor systems are not working the air conditioning. I have to restart the car to get the radio and the air conditioning to start up. These things happen but no one can find a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10070128, filed 2004-01Related recalls
- 96V016000Jan 25, 1996The brake system fluid level indicator lamp switch can malfunction. This does not comply with fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."Covers: Ford Taurus 1996, Mercury Sable 1996
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% |
| 2010 | 33 | 16% |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 26 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 5% |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% |
| 2003 | 44 | 4% |
| 2002 | 46 | 3% |
| 2001 | 97 | 9% |
| 2000 | 108 | 9% |
| 1999 | 107 | 12% |
| 1998 | 81 | 15% |
| 1997 | 73 | 9% |
| 1996 | 71 | 9% |
| 1995 | 86 | 7% |
| 1994 | 56 | 6% |
| 1993 | 110 | 7% |
| 1992 | 67 | 10% |
| 1991 | 74 | 11% |
| 1990 | 26 | 7% |
| 1989 | 35 | 6% |
| 1988 | 22 | 7% |
| 1987 | 19 | 7% |
| 1986 | 8 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
55 complaintsAir bags
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsTires
28 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology