1996 FORD TAURUS Electrical System Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKS, BUT THE IGNITION DOES NOT TURN OVER UNTIL SHE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT LEAST TEN TO TWELVE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD START. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND BRAKE SWITCH INTERLOCK WERE THE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT MOVE. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, SHE HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/05/09. *LJ

Mileage: 120,000

96' FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THIS LEAK CAUSES EITHER A SHORT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR OR THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. BLOWER MOTOR WORKS SOMETIMES OR DOESN'T, USUALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND THE CORRESPONDING LEAK CAUSES A SHORT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS UP NORTH WHEN THE DEFROSTING OF THE WINDSHIELD IS A NECESSITY. *TR

1996 FORD TAURUS PROBLEMS WITH BACK GATE REPLACEMENT PANELS. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE CANNOT LOCK THE DOOR WITH A KEY IT MUST BE LOCKED BY HAND SHE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR AJAR/RELAY. *KB THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE GROUND MOTOR AND THE SUSPECTED PROBLEM WAS MORE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE REAR TAILGATE WOULD NOT OPEN. *JB

WHEN IN GEAR MY 1996 TAURUS'S POWER WINDOWS AND RADIO WILL NOT OPERATE. THEY WILL OPERATE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. WHEN IN GEAR THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES ON. THE STEERING BECOMES TIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALMOST AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE DIED, THE OTHER PROBLEMS STOPPED FOR THE MOST PART. I NOTICE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.

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! *NM

Mileage: 155,752

WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD A SPARE TIRE ON IT, WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. THE ELECTRICAL THINGS INSIDE THE CAR DO NOT WORK, SUCH AS THE WINDOWS, A/C AND RADIO BUTTONS. THE A/C AND RADIO CUT ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THE WINDSHEID WIPERS ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED TO THE STARTER SO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR THW WIPERS COME ON AND STAY ON FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. ALSO, I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNDER WATER.

PROGRESSIVE SYSTEM FAILURES; INITALLY RAIDO GOES OUT, SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES AND CLICKS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL. FINALLY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP, CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS. IF PUT IN PARK ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS RESUME OPERATION. TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR REPLACED, AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HAS SEEN 3 OTHER '96 TAURUS' WITH SAME ISSUE.*AK

RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH AN OXYGEN SENSOR (BANK 1). IT WAS RESET, BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THE CODES SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TWO(2) OXYGEN SENSORS(BANK 1 & BANK 2), BUT THE EGR CHECK CAME UP INCOMPLETE. THEN THE PANEL LIGHT INSTRUCTING ME THAT A DOOR WAS AJAR STARTED COMING ON, BUT ALL DOORS WERE SHUT. THEN IT WOULD GO OFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. NOW THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON, AND ALL OF THE DOORS ARE SHUT. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ENGINE WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE COIL WIRE AND SOME FUSES TO GET THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. DEALER DETERMINED THAT IGNITION ACTUATOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 58,360

FROST PLUG EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR PER DEALERSHIP.*AK

Mileage: 84,000

WHEN DRIVING HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SPLASHED WATER ON SERPENTINE BELT WHICH STARTED TO SLIP, PULLING VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. LOST POWER STEERING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THE ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE SPLASHING WATER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. *YH

REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BACK UP LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. ELECTRICAL DEFECT DID NOT AFFECT HEADLIGHTS OR DASHBOARD LIGHTS.*AK

MY BATTERY HAS RUN DOWN DUE TO THE INTERIOR LIGHT PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SIDE. WITHIN MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE WAS UP IN FLAMES. INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED FIRE STARTED DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK

IN RAINY WEATHER VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN PUDDLES. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *YH

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND SPARK PLUGS POPPED OUT OF ENGINE. WOULD MAKE A LOT OF NOISE. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE & MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF SPARK PLUGS POPPING OUT. *AK

CABLE APPEARS TO BE APPOXIMATELY TOO LONG UNDER DASH CAUSING SHARP BEND AS IT GOES THROUGH FIREWALL AND EXCESSIVE BINDING, AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF CABLE WHICH CAUSES CAR TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR. *AK

A WIRE CONNECTED TO THE STARTER WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOME PART OF THE CAR CAUSING A SHORT, A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SO A FUSE WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES AND FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND A BREAK IN THE LINE WHICH HAD BEEN WORN BY RUBBING ON A BREAK CABLE. *SLC

A WIRE CONNECTED TO THE STARTER WAS RUBBING AGAINST SOME PART OF THE CAR CAUSING A SHORT, A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SO A FUSE WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES AND FINALLY THE DEALER FOUND A BREAK IN THE LINE WHICH HAD BEEN WORN BY RUBBING ON A BREAK CABLE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STALLED/ JUST STOPPED WORKING.CONSUMER STEERED OFF THE ROAD, AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DAY BEFORE THIS FAILURE, THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER SAYS THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. *YH

N O SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

AFTER THE TAURUS HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 30 MIN, YOU WILL LOSE POWER STERING AND THE CAR BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHILE TAURUS IS RUNNING AND THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL P/S WORKS! SELECT REVERSE OR DRIVE YOU LOSE P/S, DASH BOARD ALARMS SEATBELT AND ABS BRAKES, THE RADIO MUTES,SELECT PARK OR NEUTRAL EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL.

"DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR COMES ON WON'T GO OFF, OR INTERIOR ILLIMINATING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND NEVER GO OFF, HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE TO SAVE BATTERY, BUT CANNOT OPERATE WINDOWS

"DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR COMES ON WON'T GO OFF, OR INTERIOR ILLIMINATING LIGHTS COME ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND NEVER GO OFF, HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE TO SAVE BATTERY, BUT CANNOT OPERATE WINDOWS

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, AND VEHICLE SLOWES DOWN A LITTLE IT WILL SHUT DOWN. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS COME ON, AND CAR IS DEAD. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

DOME LIGHT/DOOR ADJAR INDICATOR COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. AT NIGHT, DOME LIGHT DISTURBS DRIVER. WILL GO ON AND OFF AS YOU DRIVE. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX. IS GETTING WORSE, NOW IT TRIPS THE CAR ALARM AS DOOR ADJAR SETS IT OFF WHEN LOCKED WITH ALARM SET.*AK

DURING WARM/HOT WEATHER THE ENGINE WILL DIE WITH NO WARNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING PREMIUM FUEL AND INJECTOR CLEANER TO SEE IF THIS WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DOESN'T. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT.

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO A LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, A PROBLEM WITH BATTERY DRAINING OUT, AND HEADLIGHTS COME OFF AND ON. CONSUMER HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH, VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ENGINE QUIT. CONSUMER HAD TO GET TO SHOULDER BY USING HAZARD LIGHTS. WHILE CONSUMER WAS ON SHOULDER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER SAYS TEMPARATURE GAUGE WENT TO 3 QUARTERS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

THE NEW AUTO BATTERIES LACK THE AMPERE HOUR RATING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RECHARGE PROPERLY. YH

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED OVER AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

IGNITION KEY FAILS. YH

FIRST INCIDENT DRIVING UNDER WET ROADS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE RAN A PUDDLE OF WATER THE CAR STALLS BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, VERY LITTLE OR NO STEERING CAN BE DONE . *AK

FREEZE PLUGS BURST, CAUSING ENGINE TO DIE. ALSO, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND RADIO TO REMAIN ON AFTER SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE. MJS

WHEN EVER THE VEHICLE RUNS THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAIL AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS / CUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE CAN BE INSTANTLY STARTED BACK UP BY TURNING THE IGNITION AGAIN. DEALER CAN'T FIND SOLUTION. *ML

CAR ONLY STALLS IN THE SPRING TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES FROM COLD WEATHER. *AK

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO WIRING HARNESS WEARING THROUGH INSULATION AND SHORTING TO THE GROUND IN THE AREA OF LEFT WHEEL WELL.

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT TIGHTENED CAUSING SYSTEM TO SHORT OUT.

FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS/PADS AND ROTORS MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE IDLING ROUGH AND BACKFIRING. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER/COIL AND SPARK PLUGS AND CRANCASE SENSOR. DID NOT SOLVEPROBLEM. *AK

BATTERY FAILED.

VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES WHEN COMING OFF THE INTERSTATE, TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKES, THEY WOUDN'T WORK. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JUST SHUT DOWN. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED 3040 TO 40 MPH, VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

COMPUTER MODULE FAILED.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND THE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

FUSE BLEW OUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS.

ENGINE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. VEHICLE WILL RESTART. *AK

DOOR AJAR, LIGHTS ALONG WITH OTHER LIGHTS COME ON WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE.MFR STATED TAURUS MODEL STALL IN EXTREME HEAT. *AK

EXPERIENCED LOW SPEED ENGINE STALLING WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN/INTERSECTION, NO PRIOR WARNING, DEALER CAN'T REPRODUCE CONDITION. *AK

AUTO STALLS IN TRAFFICE-CREATING A HAZZARD BECAUSE AUTO COULD GET REAR ENDED. *AK

DURING HOT WEATHER, ENGINE STALLS WHILE DECELERATORING. *AK