1996 Ford Taurus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 182about this part
- Share
- 22%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 182 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 22% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission has failed. Started by not shifting into overdrive. Then as I was driving down the road it completely went out leaving me coasting into a parking lot. There was no signs or warning lights to indicate a problem. It only has 72,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10098085, filed 2004-11, 72,000 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“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 Ford Taurus has less that 50,000 miles on it and I treat it like a baby. Brought it in to the local Ford dealership to have it serviced do to the service engine soon light coming on. They changed the oil and filter, performed multi-point inspection, changed the engine coolant and reprogrammed the powertrain control module as per TSB 97-8-6. I also had them rotate the tires. There was nothing wrong with this car as far as running (except that the service engine soon light was on). …”
NHTSA complaint #10010512, filed 2003-03, 49,527 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 milesRelated recalls
- 96V176000Sep 18, 1996The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from…Covers: Ford Taurus 1996, Mercury Sable 1996, Lincoln Continental 1996
- 96V166000Sep 5, 1996The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move…Covers: Ford Taurus 1996–1997, Mercury Sable 1996–1997, Ford Windstar 1996 +1 more
- 96V086000May 14, 1996The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly…Covers: Ford Taurus 1996, Windstar 1996, Mercury Sable 1996
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 18 | 6% |
| 2014 | 12 | 5% |
| 2013 | 44 | 8% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 10% |
| 2010 | 36 | 18% |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% |
| 2008 | 44 | 25% |
| 2007 | 16 | 11% |
| 2006 | 32 | 10% |
| 2005 | 123 | 16% |
| 2004 | 72 | 19% |
| 2003 | 316 | 26% |
| 2002 | 39 | 3% |
| 2001 | 58 | 6% |
| 2000 | 99 | 8% |
| 1999 | 91 | 10% |
| 1998 | 69 | 13% |
| 1997 | 214 | 28% |
| 1996 | 182 | 22% |
| 1995 | 394 | 33% |
| 1994 | 269 | 29% |
| 1993 | 174 | 11% |
| 1992 | 105 | 15% |
| 1991 | 260 | 40% |
| 1990 | 42 | 11% |
| 1989 | 52 | 9% |
| 1988 | 37 | 11% |
| 1987 | 29 | 11% |
| 1986 | 19 | 19% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 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 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