4th Mar 2001, 15:32

After 99,000 kms my 96 GL needs an auto transmission rebuild. Estimated cost is Aust $3700 and the car is off the road for over 2 weeks. Both the manufacturer and dealer seem vague (silent?) about the problem, cause, recurrence etc.

Not impressed at all.

9th Feb 2002, 04:33

Just purchased a 1996 ford taurus with 90,000kms, have read the other comments posted and hope none of these unfortunate things happen to my new car.

Happy motoring.

16th Aug 2002, 14:57

I have a 1996 Taurus LX and have been very happy with it. The only major trouble I have had has been with the AC. It went out at 96,000 miles and had to have $1200 worth of parts and labor. I bought this car used with 33,000 miles on it in '98. I had the forethought to purchase a 6 year/100,000 mile extended warranty. It did pay for itself. I had the throttle body stick at about 80,000, wiper transmission replaced, and antenna motor and shaft replaced.

The only trouble I have with it now is a strange moaning in the back wheels on some turns. It doesn't happen often ad I have never gotten it to do it with a mechanic in the car. It has been checked multiple times and nothing wrong has been found.

As you can see, it hasn't really had any big trouble except the AC and I just turned 100,000 miles in it.

4th Nov 2002, 21:51

I have had my Taurus since new (1996) and have never had a single issue with it. First set of tyres even did 90,000km. I am now concerned about holding onto it after reading some of these horror stories.

24th Sep 2005, 05:20

I bought a 96 taurus G in the fall of 2000 and it had just over 100k on it. I drove the car for three years with little or no maintenance and only replaced the battery. It also got new plugs and wires once. at 196k the tranny started to jerk around b/c the mounts were bad, but I continued to drive it with no problems until I sold it. all in all, the car was VERY dependable and one of the best designed cars I have ever had.

9th Oct 2006, 02:04

$1500,200.000km, best car I have owned, no problems. Sold my new car for this future classic.

8th Mar 2007, 06:27

I bought my 1996 Ford Taurus in 2003. It had 107,000 miles on it. It has been the best car I have ever owned, now at 144,000 miles in 2007. Normal maintenance... oil changes, brakes, new tires, tune ups, etc. I had the pulley break on me a few months after I bought it. $100 from dealership, stepbrother put it on for $50. In 2006, had problems with power steering line, replaced for $40 or so, boyfriend did the work for $0. Other than that, it has been an awesome reliable car. I would hope that all my vehicle purchases could be like this one! Hate to get rid of it. Wonder if maybe I just got lucky with this one. Motor still sounds great.