RoadVitals

1996 Ford Taurus Sho Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Oct 26, 2010
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Ford Taurus Sho, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine2074.1%
  • Transmission27.4%
  • Airbags13.7%
  • Tires & wheels13.7%
  • Visibility13.7%
  • Interior & seats13.7%
  • Electrical13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

96 TAURUS SHO V8 3.4L CAMSHAFT FAILURE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR IN PERFECT SHAPE WITH TUNE UP AND ALL. IT IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS NO RUST. I HAVE NICE EXHAUST SYSTEM PUT ON BY A MECHANIC AND ALSO A COLD AIR INTAKE PUT ON AND A NEW TRANS IN JULY NOW WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON IT.. I HEARD TICKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OUT OF NO WHERE. I DON'T BEAT ON MY CAR AND HAVE READ THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER EITHER WAY IF YOU BEAT ON IT OR NOT THE CAM FAILURE CAN STILL HAPPEN. SO I HEARD THE TICKING SO I DROVE IT HOME FROM WORK TO PARK IT BECAUSE I FIGURED IT WAS THE CAMS. SO I WAS GOING TO GET IT WELDED THE NEXT DAY AND 5 MIN FROM MY HOUSE THE CAR SHUT OFF AND SO I PULLED THE VALVE COVERS AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS THE BACK CAM NEAR THE FIRE WALL THAT HAD SLIPPED. I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION. ALSO DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT US CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE FORD DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW IM OUT OF A CAR. I WANT ACTION DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10362481 · filed Oct 26, 2010

ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF CAMSHAFT GEAR SPINNING ON CAM. DURING NORMAL DRIVING ENGINE STOPPED IN ROADWAY,REQUIRING TOW OFF ROADWAY TO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE AUTO IS A 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO 3.4 V8 .AFTER STUDYING THIS PROBLEM I FIND THIS CAM FAILURE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MANY AND COULD BE PREVENTED BY WELDING THE CAM SPROCKET TO THE CAMSHAFT. THE REPAIR TO THIS ENGINE IS VERY EXPENSIVE,AND I THOUGHT NHSTA SHOULD BE AWARE OF MY FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10239116 · filed Aug 20, 2008
All 20 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY '96 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN '99. I HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. THE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR (BY FORD MOTORS). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR. MONTHS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND UP UNTIL THIS DAY (12-17-05) I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING WITH A JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TAKING OFF WITH A JERK--- AFTER 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR. ITS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER THE REPAIR--THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. THE PROBLEM STILL HUNTS ME. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GETS OUT OF CONTROL. MY DRIVER DOOR LOCK LATCH WILL POP UP AS IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION--LEAVING ME TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WHEN GETTING OUT THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTROL MOVES MALFUNCTIONS BY GOING FROM FAST TO SLOW AND FAST AGAIN WITH OUT ME CHANGING THE SPEED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SITUATION TO FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND MY PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10145536 · filed Dec 18, 2005

TRANMISSION DOES NOT WORK GOOD IT HAS AHARD BUMP WHEN TAKEING OFF HAD IT REDONE BUT HAD THE SME PROBLEM AND PUT TWO SPEED SENORS IN IT SAME THING ITALKED TO SOME MOREPEOPLE THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 10128688 · filed Jul 13, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12/19//06 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 309, AT ABOUT 5O MPH ON A CLEAR NIGHT WITH GOOD ROAD CONDITION. THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HE WAS CONFUSED FOR A MINUTE AND THEN HE PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AIR BAG BUT NO FIRE. THE CONTACT DID CALL POLICE AND DOES HAVE A REPORT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS TRIED SPEAKING WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURE, AND HAS RECEIVE NO RESOLUTION. INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID 10176732 · filed Dec 21, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

96 TAURUS SHO V8 3.4L CAMSHAFT FAILURE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR IN PERFECT SHAPE WITH TUNE UP AND ALL. IT IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS NO RUST. I HAVE NICE EXHAUST SYSTEM PUT ON BY A MECHANIC AND ALSO A COLD AIR INTAKE PUT ON AND A NEW TRANS IN JULY NOW WITH ONLY 3000 MILES ON IT.. I HEARD TICKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OUT OF NO WHERE. I DON'T BEAT ON MY CAR AND HAVE READ THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER EITHER WAY IF YOU BEAT ON IT OR NOT THE CAM FAILURE CAN STILL HAPPEN. SO I HEARD THE TICKING SO I DROVE IT HOME FROM WORK TO PARK IT BECAUSE I FIGURED IT WAS THE CAMS. SO I WAS GOING TO GET IT WELDED THE NEXT DAY AND 5 MIN FROM MY HOUSE THE CAR SHUT OFF AND SO I PULLED THE VALVE COVERS AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS THE BACK CAM NEAR THE FIRE WALL THAT HAD SLIPPED. I DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION. ALSO DON'T THINK ITS RIGHT THAT US CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE FORD DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW IM OUT OF A CAR. I WANT ACTION DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10362481 · filed Oct 26, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY '96 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN '99. I HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. THE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR (BY FORD MOTORS). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR. MONTHS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND UP UNTIL THIS DAY (12-17-05) I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING WITH A JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TAKING OFF WITH A JERK--- AFTER 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR. ITS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER THE REPAIR--THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. THE PROBLEM STILL HUNTS ME. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GETS OUT OF CONTROL. MY DRIVER DOOR LOCK LATCH WILL POP UP AS IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION--LEAVING ME TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WHEN GETTING OUT THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTROL MOVES MALFUNCTIONS BY GOING FROM FAST TO SLOW AND FAST AGAIN WITH OUT ME CHANGING THE SPEED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SITUATION TO FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND MY PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10145536 · filed Dec 18, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY '96 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN '99. I HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. THE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR (BY FORD MOTORS). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR. MONTHS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND UP UNTIL THIS DAY (12-17-05) I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING WITH A JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TAKING OFF WITH A JERK--- AFTER 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR. ITS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER THE REPAIR--THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. THE PROBLEM STILL HUNTS ME. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GETS OUT OF CONTROL. MY DRIVER DOOR LOCK LATCH WILL POP UP AS IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION--LEAVING ME TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WHEN GETTING OUT THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTROL MOVES MALFUNCTIONS BY GOING FROM FAST TO SLOW AND FAST AGAIN WITH OUT ME CHANGING THE SPEED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SITUATION TO FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND MY PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10145536 · filed Dec 18, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED MY '96 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN '99. I HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. THE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR (BY FORD MOTORS). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR. MONTHS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND UP UNTIL THIS DAY (12-17-05) I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING WITH A JERK WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND TAKING OFF WITH A JERK--- AFTER 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR. ITS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT AFTER THE REPAIR--THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING. THE PROBLEM STILL HUNTS ME. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GETS OUT OF CONTROL. MY DRIVER DOOR LOCK LATCH WILL POP UP AS IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION--LEAVING ME TO MANUALLY PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WHEN GETTING OUT THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTROL MOVES MALFUNCTIONS BY GOING FROM FAST TO SLOW AND FAST AGAIN WITH OUT ME CHANGING THE SPEED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SITUATION TO FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND MY PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10145536 · filed Dec 18, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .