1996 ford taurus. Consumer states problem with the park pawl *tgw the consumer stated when she put the gear in park, the park pawl did not engage, which cause the vehicle to roll. The consumer spoke with her mechanic and he informed her a recall had been issued in 1996 for certain vehicles. The consumer went to the dealer to have the problem addressed. While the dealer did acknowledge the recall and the consumers vehicle was equipped with ax4n automatic transaxles, she was advised her vehicle was not included in the recall.
1996 Ford Taurus transmission problems
183 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 183
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 98,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission134
- Manual transmission15
- Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch9
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)4
- Driveline: driveshaft3
- Axle assembly3
- Automatic transmission: torque converter3
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Taurus transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Taurus transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
Recall number 96V176000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
- Risk
- This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.
Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details
What 1996 Ford Taurus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
The transmission partially shifts between first and second gears intermittently. This has been happening for a couple months and is increasing in occurrence.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford taurus. The contact has experienced minor shifting failure. The vehicle would not properly shift into park. Occasionally, when the vehicle was started, it failed to move. When the vehicle is placed into park and the contact's foot is removed from the brake pedal, the vehicle begins to roll backwards. In addition, the vehicle shifts out of first gear very hard, and the engine revs up to 3,000 rpms. A transmission flush was performed, which stopped the failure. The federal safety agency campaign id numbers 96v086000 and 96v166000 (powertrain:automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)) were referenced. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
My transmission went out while I was going to work out of town. Causing me to have to replace it and call a tow truck. I missed a day of work . Had to rent a car. I hit a ditch and had 2 flats on the right side.
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!
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle slipped out of park and almost rolled backwards into a ditch. The vehicle hit a culvert causing damage to the suspension. The driver and infant passenger were not injured. The manufacturer determined the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency recall #96v176000 regarding the power train:automatic transmission, due to the VIN.
I have a 1996 taurus gl. The car leaks oil, and then it leaked transmission fluid from the pan. The main problem with this car is the oil leak. I spent 500 to get it fixed and the darn thing stopped leaking and now it leaks again. I have a friend that has a 1997 and her car leaks also. Why did ford make a product that leaks like a siv.
Would not go to fourth gear while exchanging lanes was hit in the rear.
The internet says my 1996 taurus has been recalled for a park pawl problem.the federal safety agency says that 400,000 1996 taurus cars are effected.my car won't stay in park,so I called 2 local ford dealerships and they gave the runaround stating that my particular car has not been recalled.please advise.my VIN# is 1falp 52u8t a1018 63 I want ford to authorize this repair.thank you. Stephen blank 407 hamilton ave. Linwood,n.j. 08221-1516 609 926-9277
Questions about the 1996 Ford Taurus transmission
Does the 1996 Ford Taurus have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 183 complaints about the transmission of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 22% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Taurus transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford Taurus transmission?
Yes, 3 recalls: 96V176000, 96V166000, 96V086000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Taurus have bad transmission?
The Ford Taurus model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (393 complaints), 2003 (316 complaints) and 1994 (265 complaints).
Other 1996 Ford Taurus problems
Engine 216Steering 101Brakes 72Suspension 60Electrical 57Visibility 55Airbags 45Acceleration 42Body 40Lights 30Tires 28Seat belts 25Fuel system 19Locks 14Seats 5Wheels 4
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