Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated losing control of the vehicle and hitting a guard rail while traveling 45 MPH. The vehicle sustained minor paint damage. After being driven to the contact's residence, the contact repaired the vehicle and replaced a stabilizer bar.
My wife was driving the car home from work, when her tire exploded. She called crying and very shook up. When I arrived the front right side of the car was on the ground. Apparently the coil spring shot off the strut assy and punctured the inner side wall of the tire. Fortunately she wasn't driving too fast and was able to keep control of the vehicle. This could have been a fatal incident! Upon looking on the internet for information about this situation, I learned that this is a major problem with Ford Taurus and there was a recall for only newer models of the same vehicle. Why is the same problem only recalled with only certain year of makes???? We didn't even know that this could've happened. I even checked for recalls for this car online. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormal clunking noise. He then discovered that the rear passenger axle was corroded, similar to the failure listed under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the engine, transmission, front seats, steering control arms, dashboard, and transaxle would need to be removed in order to make repairs to the sub frame. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was approximately 202,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on normal road conditions, a clicking noise was heard coming from the front end,and also had steering difficulties. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the nearest auto repair shop where a certified mechanic determined the two front coil springs fractured. The dealership was contacted, and informed there was no recall for the vehicle. The manufacturer was also contacted, and coincided with the dealership information. The contact was very concerned because the mechanic informed about incidents where the tire was punctured by the fractured coil and the vehicle lost control of the steering. Updated 1/19/2007 -
Purchased my 1996 Ford Taurus wagon in nov. 2001. It accelerates at high speeds with cruise going down hill. The gas pedal often gets hung up which leaves me tapping it my foot to get it to go, so that I do not have an accident. The whole car rides very roughly. It also hangs up in passing gear almost every time. And also how do I find out where to check to see if all the recalls were taken care of. Be careful for what u buy.
I purchased a 1996 Ford tarus that had sat for a year. Upon backing it out of the driveway the front spring broke. The car dropped down onto the tire slashing it open immediately. Then I inspected the other springs only to find that another spring had a break in it also. The springs were not rusty and the car had not been abused.
I backed my 1996 Ford Taurus out of the garage after a couple of weeks sitting and the right front spring broke and punctured the right tire. There was no sagging of the car or warning that the spring was about to break. I towed the car to the dealer and both front springs were fixed.
While reversing consumer found a piece of the broken coil spring on the ground of the garage. The driver side coil spring broke and the coil punctured the front driver side tire. Recall 04V332000 was issued but this vehicle was not involved in the recall due to VIN.
I have a 96 Ford Taurus that has a broken front spring (and I obviously didn't know about it) and it caused my tire to blow on the highway. I almost caused a severe accident that would have involved a tractor trailer, and almost surely my death.
1996 Ford Taurus gl, 147,000 miles. While trying to move the car the front left coil spring broke, puncturing the tire. Fortunately this was low speed, no one harmed. Requires new spring and tire at a minimum.
Suspension complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 7% of the model year's 825 complaints. The component named most often is front (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Taurus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1996 Ford Taurus, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Taurus suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.