1996 Ford Taurus Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 7%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 2 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.
“I purchased a 1996 Ford tarus that had sat for a year. Upon backing it out of the driveway the front spring broke. The car dropped down onto the tire slashing it open immediately. Then I inspected the other springs only to find that another spring had a break in it also. The springs were not rusty and the car had not been abused.”
NHTSA complaint #10134855, filed 2005-08, 135,000 miles“I have a 96 Ford Taurus that has a broken front spring (and I obviously didn't know about it) and it caused my tire to blow on the highway. I almost caused a severe accident that would have involved a tractor trailer, and almost surely my death.”
NHTSA complaint #10237673, filed 2008-08, 158,423 miles“I backed my 1996 Ford Taurus out of the garage after a couple of weeks sitting and the right front spring broke and punctured the right tire. There was no sagging of the car or warning that the spring was about to break. I towed the car to the dealer and both front springs were fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10138645, filed 2005-10, 90,000 miles“Purchased my 1996 Ford Taurus wagon in nov. 2001. It accelerates at high speeds with cruise going down hill. The gas pedal often gets hung up which leaves me tapping it my foot to get it to go, so that I do not have an accident. The whole car rides very roughly. It also hangs up in passing gear almost every time. And also how do I find out where to check to see if all the recalls were taken care of. Be careful for what u buy.”
NHTSA complaint #10016661, filed 2003-04, 98,000 miles“I've noticed numerous problems since I first bought my Taurus. First I noticed a rattle/vibration in the front suspension. I also noticed a click whenever I turned my wheel hard either way.”
NHTSA complaint #10106291, filed 2005-01, 81,000 milesSuspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 11 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 4% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 6% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 10 | 3% |
| 2003 | 313 | 26% |
| 2002 | 962 | 67% |
| 2001 | 515 | 50% |
| 2000 | 443 | 37% |
| 1999 | 180 | 21% |
| 1998 | 59 | 11% |
| 1997 | 28 | 4% |
| 1996 | 60 | 7% |
| 1995 | 69 | 6% |
| 1994 | 44 | 5% |
| 1993 | 164 | 11% |
| 1992 | 48 | 7% |
| 1991 | 27 | 4% |
| 1990 | 18 | 5% |
| 1989 | 15 | 3% |
| 1988 | 10 | 3% |
| 1987 | 11 | 4% |
| 1986 | 7 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsBrakes
71 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 29, 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