1996 Ford Taurus Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 7%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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!”
NHTSA complaint #10183922, filed 2007-03, 155,752 miles“Recently I've noticed numerous electrical problems. First I noticed my check engine light would come on and stay on. I had the car serviced but the light came back on. I had it checked out and it was said to have been a problem with an oxygen sensor (bank 1). It was reset, but the light came back on. I had it checked out again, and this time the codes said there was a problem with two(2) oxygen sensors(bank 1 & bank 2), but the EGR check came up incomplete. Then the panel light instructing me that a door was ajar started coming on, but all doors were shut. Then it would go off all of a sudden. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106292, filed 2005-01, 85,000 miles“Engine will not shut off when taking the key out of the ignition. Consumer disconnected the coil wire and some fuses to get the engine to shut off. Dealer determined that ignition actuator switch had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10051935, filed 2003-12, 58,360 miles“When in gear my 1996 Taurus's power windows and radio will not operate. They will operate in neutral or park. When in gear the seat belt light flashes on. The steering becomes tight when this happens, almost as if there is no power steering. When the ignition module died, the other problems stopped for the most part. I notice other similar complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10185401, filed 2007-03“When I bought this car it had a spare tire on it, which had a hole in it that I was not informed of. The electrical things inside the car do not work, such as the windows, A/C and radio buttons. The A/C and radio cut on and off by themselves. The windsheid wipers are somehow connected to the starter so everytime I start the car thw wipers come on and stay on for about 10 seconds. Also, I had the car diagnosed by a mechanic and he says that this car has been sitting under water.”
NHTSA complaint #10126699, filed 2005-06Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 11 | 25% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 29 | 13% |
| 2013 | 59 | 10% |
| 2012 | 16 | 20% |
| 2011 | 47 | 25% |
| 2010 | 19 | 9% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 25 | 8% |
| 2005 | 28 | 4% |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% |
| 2003 | 97 | 8% |
| 2002 | 42 | 3% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 62 | 5% |
| 1999 | 51 | 6% |
| 1998 | 34 | 6% |
| 1997 | 62 | 8% |
| 1996 | 57 | 7% |
| 1995 | 95 | 8% |
| 1994 | 81 | 9% |
| 1993 | 156 | 10% |
| 1992 | 70 | 10% |
| 1991 | 44 | 7% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 118 | 21% |
| 1988 | 94 | 28% |
| 1987 | 69 | 27% |
| 1986 | 18 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsSuspension
60 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 28, 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