FaultScore

1996 Ford Taurus airbag problems

46 of the 1,132 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus are about the airbag system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,061 miles.

F

46

Complaints

33

Crashes

1

Fires

23

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 29 63.0%
AIR Bags 13 28.3%
Sensor/Control Module 2 4.3%
Side/Window 2 4.3%

Airbags across every Ford Taurus year

1990 43 5.1%
1991 57 6.7%
1992 50 5.9%
1993 65 7.7%
1994 42 5.0%
1995 62 7.3%
1996 46 5.4%
1997 42 5.0%
1998 39 4.6%
1999 40 4.7%
2000 90 10.6%
2001 66 7.8%
2002 50 5.9%
2003 49 5.8%
2004 21 2.5%
2005 28 3.3%
2006 21 2.5%
2008 15 1.8%
2010 11 1.3%
2013 11 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Niceville, FL Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DURING THE CRASH ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT DURING DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DETACHED FROM THE DASHBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10386441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Lynch Station, VA

AIR BAGS

1996 FORD TAURUS SITTING IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR EXCEPT OUR SMALL DOG. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR INCLUDING BROKEN WINDSHIELD. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10174046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Berwyn, PA

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2 DAYS. WENT OUT BEFORE SCHEDULED SERVICE AT DEALER. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE WAS RETURNED. DEALER ADVISED TO RETURN CAR IMMEDIATELY IF LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WITH LIGHT ON AND AN "UNKNOWN CODE" WAS RETURNED BY DIAGNOSTIC UNIT. APPROX 3 WEEKS LATER, WITHOUT WARNING, PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. CAR FILLED WITH POWDER MAKING VISIBILITY IMPOSSIBLE, AND THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHATTERED AND PUSHED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, SCATTERING SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #10137461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowie, MD Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER DRIVER. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY, BUT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10092342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,123 miles Marion, IN Crash 3 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WAS REAR ENDED IN A FIVE CAR ACCIDENT,I HAD THE MIDDLE CAR . I WAS SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR WHICH IN TURN HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I KNOW THAT I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HARD ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE BAGS BECAUSE THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS IN HIS TRUNK. I CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO HIS CAR. THE POLICE WOULD NOT LET ME HAVE MY CAR BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10033012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granite City, IL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10009146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarksville, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

50 MPH CRASH HIT A MAILBOX AND TWO SIX INCH LOCUST TREES. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH OF THE SENSORS WERE PUSHED INTO THE RADIATOR

NHTSA complaint #10005394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rodchester, NY Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE HEAD ON, CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING INJURIES. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8001870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Worcester, MA

AIR BAGS

A NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A LARGE HUMMING SOUND, THAT GETS LOUDER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT CERTAIN HIGH SPEEDS, COULD BE THE AIR BAG INSTALLATION APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE OR PUT IN WRONG.

NHTSA complaint #9004733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HAD A FRONT IMPACT ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #895056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarksville, TN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF. HE WAS FORCED INTO CONCRETE BARRIERS ON ROAD. VEHICLE HAD SMOKE INSIDE, AND WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #894294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Niangua, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 25-30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING OCCUPANT OF PASSENGER SEAT TO RECEIVE INJUIRES TO EYES AND FACE. *AK AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BLOW UP FAILING TO HOLD AIR KEEPING THE PASSENGER SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #891286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scottsdale, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING 35-40MPH FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #882775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Otsgo, MI Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT FRONTAL DRIVER'S AIR BAG, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #881704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Otsgo, MI Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT FRONTAL DRIVER'S AIR BAG, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #881704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple, MA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE FORCED INTO DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #880765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Somerville, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE HIT IN LEFT FRONT BY 40 TON DUMP TRUCK; PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED; DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #728103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, IL

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT KEPT BLINKING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY;. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #867659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Langeloth, PA

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING AFTER GETTING THE PROBLEM FIXED PREVIOUSLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #855585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bedford, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH OWNER HIT A DEER, AND DRIVER SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAGS BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD, AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG KNOCKED DRIVER OUT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN BODYSHOP.

NHTSA complaint #854923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoffman, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO A SERVICE ROAD, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND TIRE ROD BROKE, VEHICLE VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A CONCRETE POWER LINE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. CONTACTED THE LOCAL MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. CONTACTED THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #853879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portales, NM Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION BREAKING WINDSHIELD RESULTING IN CONSUMER BEING CUT. MJS

NHTSA complaint #548889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kitzmiller, MD Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #852731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monroe, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER HIT ANOTHE RVEHICLE HEAD-ON WITH A 25 MPH INPACT ,DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #846761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Chester, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. NLM

NHTSA complaint #547212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ridgewood, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE GEAR, RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH HOME, VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSING INJURY TO CHEST, NOSE AND LEGS (BRUISES). MJS

NHTSA complaint #545289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raymond, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT 50 MPH WITH 2 VEHICLES. FIRST VEHICLE HIT IN REAR ALMOST HEAD ON WITH MAJOR DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT/MIDDLE, PROCEEDED TO HIT SECOND VEHICLE IN SAME PLACE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON EITHER IMPACT. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE HAULT AFTER HITTING SECOND VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #703823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, WV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE IN A CAR ACCIDENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT INDICATIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #834741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunnyville, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. ALSO, AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR STAYS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #832587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Sobrant, CA

AIR BAGS

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD SCATTERING GLASS THROUGH OUT VEHICLE AND CONSUMERS.

NHTSA complaint #542911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1996 Ford Taurus report