1996 Ford Taurus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 12%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 12% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The transmission range selector (also called park/neutral start switch) shorts internally and causes the variably assisted steering to malfunction (stop assisting entirely). Date of incident may not be exact. While turning right at low speed into an alley power steering failed momentarily causing front wheel to jump the opposite curb onto the sidewalk and damage wheel cover. Tsb # 96255 may describe problem, but I'm not sure. Ford dealership pulled up a report on this for me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003022, filed 2003-01, 98,000 miles“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“The consumer stated the vehicle vibrated when driving and when the brakes were applied. The dealer replaced the front rotors, pads and the problem still continued. It was later determined that the aluminum spindle at the ball joint broke and caused the axle to come off.”
NHTSA complaint #8020972, filed 2002-09, 160,000 miles“Vehicle loses power steering after driving through standing water. Serpentine belt squeals for about 20 seconds and when the noise stops the steering power is restored.”
NHTSA complaint #10049370, filed 2003-12, 30,000 miles“The seat belt light on the dashboard blinks on intermittently, and when it does the steering column locks up. When this occurs consumer loses control of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10041931, filed 2003-09, 73,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 9 | 10% |
| 2015 | 50 | 18% |
| 2014 | 64 | 28% |
| 2013 | 295 | 50% |
| 2012 | 17 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 13% |
| 2010 | 41 | 20% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 35 | 20% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 18 | 1% |
| 2001 | 20 | 2% |
| 2000 | 29 | 2% |
| 1999 | 106 | 12% |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% |
| 1997 | 59 | 8% |
| 1996 | 101 | 12% |
| 1995 | 39 | 3% |
| 1994 | 26 | 3% |
| 1993 | 57 | 4% |
| 1992 | 56 | 8% |
| 1991 | 76 | 12% |
| 1990 | 51 | 13% |
| 1989 | 53 | 9% |
| 1988 | 26 | 8% |
| 1987 | 21 | 8% |
| 1986 | 9 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 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 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