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!
1996 Ford Taurus: steering wheel locks up
7 of the 825 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
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.
While driving in rainy conditions battery indicator light flashed on, and steering wheel locked in place. Consumer would have to apply brakes to come to a stop, and sit for a few seconds without any indication that steering wheel would unlock. *ak this problem occurs most times when it rains and the vehicle goes through water.
When driving through water or rain the battery light comes on. Brakes make a squeeking noise and the steering locks up. Contacted dealer when under warranty. Problem went away temporarily, but currently problem reappeared.
Door hinge on console broken and air conditioner make loud humming noise at highway speeds. Steering locks up and cause cannot be determined.
Driving 35mph steering locks up and engine dies with no notice. Don't know what the problem is or what is causing it.
1) vehicle rolled from parking space 30 feet upon slight incline, w/steering wheel locked and gear shift still in park. Please describe details.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Experiencing a moaning noise from the power steering during engine idle
- Experiencing a squeaking and / or popping noise from the front outer tire rods
- Some vehicles may exhibit front outer tie rods squeak and / or pop noise over bumps and / or turning
- Diagnostic service tips on passive anti theft system ( pats )
- Some vehicles may exhibit a steering groan noise
- Repeat power steering grunt/groan after completion of TSB 97-02-04
- Groan or moan noise from the power steering when returning from a right turn
- Groan or moan noise from the power steering when returning from a right turn
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1996 Ford Taurus steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
7 of 825 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
There are 0 recalls and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Ford Taurus
Stalling 57Transmission failure 35Overheating 32Engine failure 29Loss of power 27Grinding brakes 20Check engine light 20Power steering loss 19ABS 18Coil spring 16No deployment 15Headlights 15Wipers 15Brake failure 14Door locks 14Tire blowout 13Steering noise 12Fire or smoke 11Jerking 9Slipping 9Seat belt 8Knocking 7Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Sudden acceleration 6Won't start 6Won't shift 5
VIN decoder
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