Looking at a Specific 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO?
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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1996 > Ford > TAURUS

1996 FORD TAURUS SHO
Sedan 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used FORD.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 4 of 5  
Passenger Rating 4 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Not Tested  
Rear Seat Not Tested  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Not Tested  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier $ 0
Front into angle barrier $ 817
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier $ 0
Rear into pole $ 646
Average Damage Per Test $ 366

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. The low-speed damage repair costs for this 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO were obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 88 Average
Collision Index 79 Better than average
Theft Index 66 Average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 76,500
NHTSA campaign number: 96V016000
Defective part or component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SWITCH:BRAKE WARNING
Description: THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, ""HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."" 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. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 100,000
NHTSA campaign number: 96V086000
Defective part or component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Description: THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 4,700
NHTSA campaign number: 96V151000
Defective part or component: FUEL:FUEL INJECTION:UNKNOWN TYPE:REGULATOR
Description: 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. 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. Dealers will inspect the fuel pressure regulator. Those regulators produced during the suspect time period will be replaced.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 40,000
NHTSA campaign number: 96V166000
Defective part or component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INDICATOR:LEVER:GEAR
Description: The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park. Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall date: 09-20-1996
Units potentially affected: 340,000
NHTSA campaign number: 96V176000
Defective part or component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC
Description: The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position. This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position. Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 400
NHTSA campaign number: 98V067000
Defective part or component: FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY
Description: 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. 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. Dealers will install the correct fuel tank.


This 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 3 of 5
  Comfort Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1996 FORD TAURUS reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint systems are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Adjustments and bulbs are covered (except alignment and wheel balance) after 1 years or 12,000 miles.  

This 1996 FORD TAURUS SHO warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

An all-new stunner from Dearborn.
By Ray Thursby, NewCarTestDrive.com

It all boils down to looks. Never mind that the latest Taurus and Sables are the best-built, best-handling, best-performing cars to carry the names, and never mind that they are well equipped, comfortable and full of features that make them good values despite their higher pricetags.

What will drive the final decision for most buyers--more so here than is the case with most cars--is their reaction to the exterior design. Some say the new Taurus and Sable look better as they become more familiar sights on the road, others disagree. Some like the sedans and despise the wagons; some like 'em all.

It's worth remembering that the original Taurus and Sable drew similar love/hate responses, and came away from the controversy as best-sellers. If you feel comfortable with the shape, you'll likely be delighted with what lies underneath.

Overview:

A decade ago, the Ford Taurus was a controversial car and a big gamble for its builder. Its aerodynamic exterior was a total departure from anything else being built in Detroit at the time.

By today's standards, that same shape looks conservative and familiar. And so once again, Ford is taking a big chance in a high-stakes game with the 1996 Taurus, which is generating every bit as much controversy as its 1986 forebear. Though similar in concept and packaging to other current midsize sedans, it has once again been sent down a new and radical styling path. Will competitors--and customers--follow once again?

Whatever the outcome, Ford gets high marks for taking design risks in an arena filled with ho-hum shapes that are frequently hard to tell apart.

Read the complete 1996 Ford Taurus review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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