1996 Ford Taurus Sho problems

Filed Oct 26, 2010 · Engine, Tires · 107,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Engine · 111,949 miles · MI

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.

Filed May 17, 2008 · Engine · 80,127 miles · OH

I have a1996 ford taurus sho v-8,it just turned 80,000 miles and has had all regular service and now the camshaft gear has failed on the camshaft and damaged the engine!I work at a ford dealer and see this engine failure often. It seems that this is common on the v-8 sho engine around 75,000-85,000 miles and sometimes there is a ticking noise that is considered a warning sign too get repairs but there was not any warning from my engine. I have done all kinds of research and found that there are lawsuits and numerous complaints and blogs devoted to this exact issue but I don,t have any information available for assistance on these very expensive repairs that are definitely due to a design flaw and I have 18 ford technicians that are factory trained too back this up!I did not buy this vehicle new so I can,t say it was never abused but after partially disassembling the engine so far it is clear that it was very well maintained and cared for (it looks brand new inside)there is zero sludge and cams and followers are spotless. I will need to pull the rear head and send to machine shop for exhaust valve replacement and depending on how much damage maybe guides as well. I am very curious as too how many of these engine failures are always only the rear head exhaust camshaft because so far all I have seen is the rear exhaust camshaft gear failure and that is a f- in my grade book!

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Airbags · 53,000 miles · PA · 1 injury

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.

Filed Dec 18, 2005 · Electrical, Locks · TN

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.

Filed Jul 13, 2005 · Transmission · 122,407 miles · MS

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

Filed Nov 19, 2004 · Engine · MN

I had to drive to chicago and spend over $500 to have my cams welded to prevent the common engine failure that is documented here and other sources.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Engine · 108,000 miles · IL

Engine replacement costs $16,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Engine · 72,000 miles · MI

Engine abruptly shut down at 30-40 MPH. Vehicle can be started, but engine stalled within 2-3 seconds after shifting out of park gear. Inspection by the dealer next afternoon points to damaged crank shaft as the cause.

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Engine · 35,000 miles · MA

I purchased a 1996 ford taurus in 1998(february). In the summer of 1998 I began developing cooling problems. Since I purchased the vehicle, I have had problems with rusty radiator water, have had to have the fuel pump replaced twice, and am now told I possibly need a new motor. I am told that there was a recall on the cooling system of these cars in or about 1999, that has since expired. I never received a recall.