1996 Ford Taurus Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 214about this part
- Share
- 26%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,180miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 214 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 26% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,180 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10366660, filed 2010-11, 106,500 miles“My 17-year-old son was driving to edinburg, texas on a pretty busy street, when out of the blue the engine started to fail. He nearly got killed. Thank god that didn't happen. The car cracked the head, and is in need of major repair. This has happened three times since the car was bought. About a month before the last incident, I noticed that the coolant water was a brown, almost muddy color and texture. I figured it was just left over damage from the engine repairs it had received. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007774, filed 2003-02, 129,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10233726, filed 2008-07, 213,000 miles“In may 03 Ford said trans. Was just wore out. Had rebuilt by aamco and then at the end of july trans. Had no park, was just like in nutral. On the way to aamco trans. Fell apart. Aamco tryed to say we did something wrong, but decided that we couldn't have so are in the process of trying to find a new case for are ax4n trans. Now. It has been over two weeks now and still can not find a case. Hope they find soon so can get car back and get rid of it, never to own another Ford. This car has had continual small but still problems never the less sence we purchased it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069642, filed 2004-01, 119,925 miles“I bought a used 1996 Ford Taurus from a local Ford dealer, brockport Ford, in 1998. While driving the car in july of 2000, the temperature gauge indicated a high temperature. I pulled over to find the car leaking coolant. I took the car to vision Ford and they replaced the engine's freeze plugs as a cost of $452. Recently I had the identical problem, only this time it the repairs cost me $907. I questioned two failures of this type on a relatively new car and located numerous websites devoted to this same problem in 1996 Ford Taurus vehicles. This problem is widespread. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080924, filed 2004-07, 55,195 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017916May 1, 2005Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 4 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 28% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 15% |
| 2006 | 19 | 6% |
| 2005 | 40 | 5% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 67 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 4% |
| 2001 | 60 | 6% |
| 2000 | 103 | 9% |
| 1999 | 81 | 9% |
| 1998 | 62 | 11% |
| 1997 | 145 | 19% |
| 1996 | 214 | 26% |
| 1995 | 352 | 29% |
| 1994 | 289 | 31% |
| 1993 | 638 | 41% |
| 1992 | 217 | 32% |
| 1991 | 116 | 18% |
| 1990 | 78 | 20% |
| 1989 | 97 | 17% |
| 1988 | 67 | 20% |
| 1987 | 40 | 16% |
| 1986 | 22 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsBrakes
71 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 27, 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