1996 Ford Taurus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 7%of 825 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,089miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 825 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,089 miles.
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“The problems with my Taurus dates back to a recall concerning the cooling system in 1997. Since then, I've continued to experience premature problems with varying parts of the cooling system including a failed thermostat, heater core, gasket, and radiator. I've contacted Ford, and they refuse to offer any additional assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #722751, filed 2000-05“This problem is that the windshield washer works only periodically. I have not been in contact with the dealer since the car is past the warranty date and I can visualize a major cost item for repair. This car has been nothing but a series of problems and in spite of my contacts with Ford customer service division, they have not responded in a satisfactory way.”
NHTSA complaint #707958, filed 1999-06“We had problems with our heater core and ended up replacing it. We continually have problems with the rear calipars and hae replaced them twice and repaired them once (they seize). We currently have problems with peeling paint on the roof of the car, and window seals that we have not yet fixed; are there any recalls for these problems? A body shop technician told us that it looks as though the car has already been repainted once; we are not the original owner of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10071269, filed 2004-01“I returned this car to the dealership because the windshield wiper control began clicking whenever I tried using them. The repair dept. Told me that was normal for the Taurus and that nothing was wrong. Now, I am limited to only several settings where the wipers will actually function. That has never been a normal feature on any of my other vehicles. I feel Ford needs to address this failure before I don't have any wiper capabilities and someone is either injured or killed due to this malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #713114, filed 1999-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 196 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 4% |
| 2000 | 45 | 4% |
| 1999 | 59 | 7% |
| 1998 | 17 | 3% |
| 1997 | 57 | 7% |
| 1996 | 55 | 7% |
| 1995 | 38 | 3% |
| 1994 | 30 | 3% |
| 1993 | 157 | 10% |
| 1992 | 43 | 6% |
| 1991 | 19 | 3% |
| 1990 | 24 | 6% |
| 1989 | 14 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 3% |
| 1987 | 10 | 4% |
| 1986 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Taurus
214 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
182 complaintsSteering
101 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsElectrical system
57 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