While driving out of a tow booth vehicle suddenly accelerated and lurched at high speed. Consumer was able to gain control, and pulled the vehicle over. Dealer was notified, but was unable to find the cause of the problem.
1996 Ford Taurus: jerking or lurching
9 of the 825 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 42 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
I was on the highway with my car and just as I exited, the car began jerking uncontrollably as I came to a stop light. Even with my foot on the brake the car would do this. The following day I couldn't even go to work and had one mechanic tell me it was the transmission and he could repair for $1600+(not incl tax). I took the car to another mechanic the following day and was basically told that this was common with the taurus's and that the repair would cost $1901.00 (tax incl). Apparently this is a common problem based on the complaints I have read. Ford should really address this. The problem specifically was:torque converter, neutral safety switch, overdrive piston, pump shaft, etc.
Eng size 3.0 transmission type ax4s or axode , transmission just stop pulling forward, had car since oct. 1998 bought used alway had problem with jerking when changing to first or second gear from day one when I bought car . Told the dealer about the jerking when changing gear he said the the way the car was made. Car is in shop now for transmission work. They said it must be the computer , couldnt find nothing wrong with the transmission. I think a recall should have been made on 1996 taurus . I am tired of spending money on this car. I know ford know about this problem.
When the vehicle accelerated from a stop, the transmission jerked into gear which caused the vehicle to lurch forward. The same issue occurred when the vehicle decelerated from high speed, the transmission down shifted abruptly. *jb ph
The pump shaft started to wear very badly causing pieces of metal to be thrown out the transmission, as a result the vehicle would jerk while being driven. Nlm
Transmission shifts at high RPM during 2-3 shift. Problem continues to worsen. I was told by dealer that he could not duplicate the problem. But that it might be a shift computer problem. Problem increases as temperature of engine increases, such as driving for more than 40 minutes in a warm climate. At engine start, noticing the car lurches forward as engine just starts to motor.
When vehicle accelerated transmission jerked hard. A recall has been issued on the vehicle, however this vehicle was not included. Manufacturer has been notfied.
Whenever brakes are applied transmission would jerk or slip. Took to dealer & mechanic replaced it with a rebuilt one. Jerking/slipping reappeared. Took vehicle back & it was test driven, no problems existed. For a 3rd time, problem reoccurred. Mechanic informed owner that ford orderd not to fixed the vehicle even though the manufacturer knew about the transmission problem.
Owner states while driving vehicle automatic transmission jerks wiithout warning.owner feels that it could cause an accident.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
- Some vehicles may exhibit a park pullout clunk noise when shifting from park to another gear position
- Brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles may exhibit a harsh 2-3 shift after installing a remanufactured automatic transaxle
- Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip
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
Questions about the 1996 Ford Taurus jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
9 of 825 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus (1%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
There are 3 recalls and 42 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 11Slipping 9Seat belt 8Knocking 7Steering lock-up 7Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Sudden acceleration 6Won't start 6Won't shift 5
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