19 problems related to hydraulic power assist steering system have been reported for the 1996 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Consumer states that the power steering will not turn on or off and consumer is unable to steer or turn. Dealer notified ts.
When trying to make a right turn power steering will quit working on rainy days when I go through puddles of rain on right wheel. Then, start working again after a few minutes.
Power steering turns off in rain, and Ford tells us there is nothing they can do.
I had an accident on 01/14/00 due to my car cutting off. I was turning when there was water on the street. I made a right hand turn and the right side went through water. My car made some high pitch noise and the lights on the dashboard all lit up and the car shut off. I had no control over my car and ran off of the road in a ditch. I didn't get hurt. My front bumper was damaged. I am very scared driving this car when it rains or when there's water on the street. This is clearly a safety hazzard. I told jerry's Ford about the problem. I even contacted the Ford dispute board and told them about the numerous times the car had cut off, they told me that when it happens again, take it directly to the dealership. Please look into this safety hazzard before someone else has an accident or dies.
The power steering unit has not actually failed. What happens is that after making a right hand turn a large groaning noise is made when truning the steering wheel back to the straight ahead position. Ford has issued numerous servic bulletins on this problem starting back in 1996 and want to charge a substantial amount of money to correct the problem. I feel that since this deals with the steering unit there is a safety issue involved and they should correct this problem on all their vehicles at no cost to the owneres.
I had an accident due to my car cutting off. I was turning when there was water on the street. I made a right hand turn and the right side went through the water. My car made some high pitch noise and the lights on the dashboard all lit up and the car shut off. I had no control over my car and ran off the road in a ditch. I didn't get hurt. My front bumper was damaged. I am very scared driving this car when it rains or water is on the street. This is clearly a safety hazzard. I told jerry's Ford about the problem a few months ago. Jerry's Ford said they couldn't duplicate the problem. I even contacted the Ford dispute board and told them about the numerous times the car had cut off, they told me that when it happens again, take it directly to the dealership. Please look into this safety hazzard before someone else has an accident or dies.
Consumer was driving at approximately 45 mph and was making a sharp turn at the outer part of curve, automatic steering control became inoperative, causing loss of steering control, almost resulting in accident.
While driving the defective power steering causing noises in the right side of the vehicle and no power steering which caused loss of control of the vehicle. Dealer replaced rack pinion and power steering pump. Dealer cannot determine problem.
The defective design of the power steering system malfuctions when water is sprayed into the power steering belts, and causes loss of power steering and vehicle control. Dealer replaced 2 pumps, rack and pinion. Dealer cannot determine problem.
When driving through a puddle of water the alternator light comes on and all power steering is lost.
Consumer states when making a turn from freeway onto an exit ramp, power steering seems to turn off, at one point consumer almost lost control, auto became hard to steer. Consumer also states idle spped at cold start up remains at approximately 1350 rpm for greater than 60 seconds, this causes the vehicle to accelerate when placing vehicle in reverse.
Power steering failed.
Power steering noise.
When it rains the water from the rain shuts down all power to the vehicle, causing the vehicle to lose all power steering. This is a problem that the dealer can not fix. This problem only occurs when it rains and the water hits the vehicle.
Moan or groan when returning steering from full right hand turn.
While driving power steering has frozen up, making steering hard to control, and it doesn't retract on its own. Dealer has been contacted.
When driving in rainy weather the power steering goes out. The windshield wipers also stop working. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership three times since April of 1997 for this problem. The dealer changed the power steering belt which did not correct the problem. Vehicleis at dealership for the fourth time for this problem.
Power steering rack/return hose/ gear short assembly is defective, causing the vehicle to vibrate heavily. Makes grunting noises when making right hand turns. Service bulletin is out for defect. Dealer will repair if there is a warranty.
No summary listed for above vehicle.