63 of the
1,132 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus are about the
suspension — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
119,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE WAS CORRODED, SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT SEATS, STEERING CONTROL ARMS, DASHBOARD, AND TRANSAXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.
NHTSA complaint #10375425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, NY
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR SPRINGS OF MY 1996 FORD TAURUS GL HAVE BOTH BROKEN THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10296511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesMilan, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1996 FORD TAURUS GL, 147,000 MILES. WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE CAR THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS LOW SPEED, NO ONE HARMED. REQUIRES NEW SPRING AND TIRE AT A MINIMUM.
NHTSA complaint #10261077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,423 milesHastings, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,643 milesFrankfort, KY1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK, WHEN HER TIRE EXPLODED. SHE CALLED CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP. WHEN I ARRIVED THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS ON THE GROUND. APPARENTLY THE COIL SPRING SHOT OFF THE STRUT ASSY AND PUNCTURED THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. FORTUNATELY SHE WASN'T DRIVING TOO FAST AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL INCIDENT! UPON LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SITUATION, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FORD TAURUS AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ONLY NEWER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. WHY IS THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY RECALLED WITH ONLY CERTAIN YEAR OF MAKES???? WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS COULD'VE HAPPENED. I EVEN CHECKED FOR RECALLS FOR THIS CAR ONLINE. IF I WAS INFORMED OF THIS RECALL, THEN I WOULD'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO PUT GUARDS ON THE COIL SPRINGS WITH MY OWN MONEY, BECAUSE A LIFE IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY OR A PRODUCT. PLEASE REALIZE THAT THIS COULD'VE BEEN VERY VERY BAD AND COULD HAPPENED TO ANYONE.
NHTSA complaint #10217875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,898 milesSodus, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END,AND ALSO HAD STEERING DIFFICULTIES. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED, AND COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP INFORMATION. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC INFORMED ABOUT INCIDENTS WHERE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY THE FRACTURED COIL AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. UPDATED 1/19/2007 -
NHTSA complaint #10171350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,804 milesMuncy, PACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HITTING A GUARD RAIL WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR PAINT DAMAGE. AFTER BEING DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED A STABILIZER BAR.
NHTSA complaint #10170920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesBrockton, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL UNEXPECTEDLY SNAPPED WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND PUNCTURED TIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ROLL INTO A NEAR LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10148273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBellbrook, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesHolland, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesHolland, MI
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braintree, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS - RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED BROKEN SPRING TO GO INTO RF TIRE CAUSING MASSIVE TIRE DAMAGE TO SIDEWALL. FAILURE WAS AT LOW SPEED SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NEW COIL SPRING AND NEW TIRE WERE PURCHASED & INSTALLED. I'VE READ THAT TAURUSES OF OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE 1996 TAURUS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS SHOULD NOT BRAKE AND A MECHANIC FRIEND INFORMED ME OF THIS NHTSA WEB SITE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL FOR THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FAILURE AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE PAID FOR PRIOR REPAIRS. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10116729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 888,000 milesWindom, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10113207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Basking Ridge, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
RECALL CAMPAIGN ; A FRACTURED FRONT COIL SPRING CAUSED THE FRONT TIRE TO BLOWOUT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE 1999-2000 MODELS ONLY. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10108855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesGlenolden, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesMarysville, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING RUPTURED, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10106848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH,CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM WHEEL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND SUDDENLY CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE SHOULDERS. CONSUMER WENT UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10087244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesSevern, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE REVERSING CONSUMER FOUND A PIECE OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRING ON THE GROUND OF THE GARAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND THE COIL PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. RECALL 04V332000 WAS ISSUED BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10083561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD ALOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10081922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,350 milesBrunswick, OH
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FOUND THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN DURING A TIRE ROTATION.
NHTSA complaint #10075037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,400 milesVilla Park, IL
SUSPENSION
THE FRAME OF MY 1996 FORD TAURUS HAS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE FRAME MOUNTS TO THE BODY ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10073232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,500 milesFrederick, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE PARKED FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. *AK BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THE UPPER BRACKET ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10071639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fresno, CA
SUSPENSION
THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMPUTOR SYSTEMS ARE NOT WORKING THE AIR CONDITIONING. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE RADIO AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO START UP. THESE THINGS HAPPEN BUT NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10070128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesStroudsburg, PA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
1996 FORD TAURUS WHILE INSTALLING NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS IT WAS NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10052797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Crosse, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CONSUMER REALIZED THAT FRONT SUSPENSION DROPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10038053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
SUSPENSION
I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS ON MY 1996 FORD TAURUS THREE TIMES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10018462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesShipamn, VA
SUSPENSION
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. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claverack, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVE WAY, THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM PH
NHTSA complaint #10015339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Streamwood, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ANY FRONT SUBFRAME PROBLEMS, CAR MAKES A CLICKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND WHEN HITTING DIPS OR POTHOLES FRONT END SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO TO FALL OUT. REPLACED FRONT STRUTS 06/27/02 STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #763567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THAT, WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT END SHAKES AND WOBBLES.
NHTSA complaint #563958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.