1996 Ford Taurus Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System Problems
NHTSA component category: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How steering:hydraulic power assist system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 825 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Ford Taurus overview page.
What owners report
“WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST.”NHTSA complaint 813924 — filed 07/08/1997
“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…”NHTSA complaint 804182 — filed 10/28/1996
“TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DANGEROUSLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.”NHTSA complaint 506952 — filed 08/02/1996
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Ford Taurus have steering:hydraulic power assist system problems?
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1996 Ford Taurus: 35 of 825 complaints on file (4.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Ford Taurus have in total?
825 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 69 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 69 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's steering:hydraulic power assist system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
