Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that water was leaking into the passenger side floorboard from an unknown entry source. The dealer advised the contact that due to the age of the vehicle, the failure was common. The dealer advised having the molding and sealant for the windshield replaced. The manufacturer took a complaint on the contacts behalf and offered no further assistance since there were no related recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 78,456 and the failure mileage was 78,426.
My windshield has developed a haze between the lamenation and glass, as diagnosed by the dealer. The only solution was to replace the window. This condition makes the view severely blurred when oncoming headlights and/or sun is involved. It is much like shining light through a prism. Glass on a vehicle should last the lifetime of the vehicle, and not go bad. This creates a serious visual hazard. I would hope that this warrants an investigation to provide consumers like myself some sort of replacement/recall option. Further, if a windshield cannot withstand the test of time, I have lost faith in its integrity during an accident. To say the least, Ford has produced a "lemon" product, as again...glass should not go bad.
The consumer turned on the heater and defroster and cold air along with a mist that filled the inside of the vehicle and covered the windshield. The consumer had to use paper napkins to clear the windows. The heater core is an existing problem that reoccurs every 3 months since April 2001. The dealer was notified. Nlm coolant leak. Dealer replaced heater core 5 times. Right rear window inoperative. Dealer replaced right rear window motor. Switch on air conditioner control head falls off. Dealer rpelaced cracked center control knob. Sunglass compartment in center console lid broke off. Console compartment door, hinge pins and spring replaced. Squeak noise under hood. Replaced belt tensioner and idler pulley.
This failure is a safety hazard. While driving the power steering stops working at random, the electric windows quit working, and the seat belt light comes on! They all appear to be related to this mlp/tr switch. I searched the internet and found 4 other occurrences that were reported. When I call the local Ford service garage, the service manager knew exactly what my problem was and sold me the sensor switch. He was aware that the power steering stops working when these symptoms occur. I experienced the power steering failing on a turn and had much trouble controlling the car. I'm worried that my daughter would not have been able to control the car.
I returned this car to the dealership because the windshield wiper control began clicking whenever I tried using them. The repair dept. Told me that was normal for the Taurus and that nothing was wrong. Now, I am limited to only several settings where the wipers will actually function. That has never been a "normal" feature on any of my other vehicles. I feel Ford needs to address this failure before I don't have any wiper capabilities and someone is either injured or killed due to this malfunction.
We had problems with our heater core and ended up replacing it. We continually have problems with the rear calipars and hae replaced them twice and repaired them once (they seize). We currently have problems with peeling paint on the roof of the car, and window seals that we have not yet fixed; are there any recalls for these problems? A body shop technician told us that it looks as though the car has already been repainted once; we are not the original owner of the car.
Freeze plugs blew out without warning at 65 MPH on interstate hwy; temp gauge within normal range and "check engine" light did not come on until engine died. Required head gasket job as well as repair of freeze plugs. Temporary loss of power steering when turning corners on wet streets. Windshield fogs over completely when defrost/defog is turned on before it clears. Temporary loss of vision through windshield resulting in extremely hazardous driving conditions...
This problem is that the windshield washer works only periodically. I have not been in contact with the dealer since the car is past the warranty date and I can visualize a major cost item for repair. This car has been nothing but a series of problems and in spite of my contacts with Ford customer service division, they have not responded in a satisfactory way.
When driving in rainy weather the power steering goes out. The windshield wipers also stop working. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership three times since April of 1997 for this problem. The dealer changed the power steering belt which did not correct the problem. Vehicleis at dealership for the fourth time for this problem.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Ford Taurus, 4% of the model year's 825 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Taurus window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 156,000 miles.
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.