1996 Ford Taurus brakes problems

The 1996 Ford Taurus has 85 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Brakes complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Taurus brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

96V016000BrakesJanuary 25, 1996 · 76,500 units

Defect

THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.

What owners report

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH IN THE RAIN 3-4 CAR LENGTHS WHEN HE BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDALWAS HARD, AND VEHICLE SLID UNDERNEATH A PICKUP TRUCK AT 32000 MILES. ALSO, THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE NECCESSARY REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS MADE, THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 9, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1996 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA has 85 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus brakes — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Ford Taurus brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 96V016000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.