VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford Taurus fuel system problems

The 1996 Ford Taurus has 21 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 2% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

21

Fuel System complaints

2%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Taurus fuel system complaints by model year107 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 22 complaints1988: 17 complaints1989: 33 complaints1990: 11 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 19 complaints1993: 51 complaints1994: 54 complaints1995: 59 complaints1996: 21 complaints1997: 34 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 40 complaints2000: 70 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 28 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 41 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 107 complaints2014: 71 complaints2015: 72 complaints2016: 7 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 1 complaints
Taurus fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

98V067000Fuel SystemMarch 25, 1998 · 400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.

Consequence

IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.

96V151000Fuel SystemAugust 12, 1996 · 4,700 units

Defect

THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS A VACUUM DIAPHRAGM THAT WAS DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE REGULATOR.

Consequence

IF THE DIAPHRAGM TEARS OR RUPTURES, LIQUID FUEL COULD ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE RESULTING IN EITHER RELEASE OF FUEL FROM THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. FUEL RELEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THOSE REGULATORS PRODUCED DURING THE SUSPECT TIME PERIOD WILL BE REPLACED.

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1996 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 1996 Ford Taurus fuel system — 2% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Ford Taurus fuel system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 96V151000, 98V067000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.