1996 Ford Taurus Consumer Reviews
Most Helpful Reviews
Positive Review
Very reliable. Had mine for 20 years with few problems until last couple of years. Even then, repairs were much cheaper than a new car. Wish current Taurus was based on the original; I'd buy another without question. Sadly, Ford only kept the name, not the design. Current Taurus has little in common with the original. Only complaint I had was the poor visibility due to an oval-shaped rear window. Ford went back to traditional rectangular shape, subsequently.
VS
Critical Review
The engine is a workhorse (DOHC 24v V6). I love this car, mostly. But the transmission started slipping, and true of other Ford Taurus's the transmission failed by 109,000 miles. At first it was only slippage, but then it would drop into 2nf or 3rd gear from 4th quite suddenly, or not go into higher gears at all. In this case, after pulling the transmission, the converters had blown, sending little fine metal shards everywhere within the transmission. The transmission shop rebuilt the new transmission better (they said) than the factory built unit, but at $2200 (and that was at a $500 discount), Nearly the cost of the value of the car. Somehow a significant minority of transmissions built for these late 1990's cars just seem not to have been made not made well for long term mileage use 60,000 - 100,000 mileage, although the rest of the Taurus is GREAT (minus some deterioration in the molding surrounding the interior instrument panel due to heat). The A/C, the operation of the engine is awesome. Built to last hopefully a few more years. Knowing this, we replaced the transmission. If you are buying this car used, make sure you get it checked out for transmission slippage. If there is, suspect future problems, possibly expensive. It will take a tech to pull the transmission and open it up to see how serious the problem is, and that may take $600 alone for the diagnostic (no engine lights or codes to reveal any interior problem of this type). IF no slippage, you may be good to go, but get a transmission expert to to check it out anyway. Some shops will do the cursory check for free. good luck!
1996 Taurus Reviews
Showing 8 of 560 reviews.
Bang for the bukk
Transition issues
I have a 1996 ford Taurus with 155k miles. Runs and drives great. Turn signal stalk and pcm had to be replaced this year. Other than that, it hasn’t even had the water pump replaced. I would definitely recommend buying one if it’s been taken care of!
New tires, brakes,pwr when needed/good on gas.
Only issue needs blend door actuator for a/c
Reg. Maint, adult driven. 2nd owner, used as a daily driver 2yrs then as B/U car.Strong 3.0L DOHC V6
Reliable, easy to maneuver
cosmetics break easily
I bought my 1997 Ford Taurus with around 50,000 miles on it. It was a basic car, that was kind of cool looking at the time. I took it on several trips throughout its life and drove it to work every day, yet it gave me very few problems. Besides regular maintenance, I had to have the thermostat replaced and the EGR valve fixed, and I drove it from 50k miles to 135k miles when I traded it in.
Drives great
Engine is quite
car has newer tires scrape. on left drivers side on back but doesn't interfere with anything. Drivers seat want move forward everything else works great.
The car provides transportation
No heat and no air conditioner. Makes a rumbling
Something is always breaking down on the car. The car needs fixing a lot. ***************************************
None
Everything
The car has misfiring it’s not in good shape it’s been Drove around the country has over 300,000 miles inside is poor the outside is poor it shakes really bad all in all it’s not in good shape
Auto runs good everything works. It look ok but is 25 years old but mechanically sound. Tires are serviceable.
New battery. Fairly new tires. No accidents
Normal wear and tear
New battery. Hardly driven the last two years. Tires were new two years ago. Recently checked out. In good shape. Great car for beginner. Needs to be cleaned. Selling as is.
