Ford Taurus problems
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Ford Taurus model years
Common Ford Taurus problems
The Ford Taurus is a popular sedan known for its comfort and value, but like any vehicle, it can have its share of problems. Here are some of the most common issues reported by Ford Taurus owners:
- Transmission System: The transmission system is a common problem with the Ford Taurus, with issues such as stalling, hesitation, and difficulty starting the car. These problems tend to appear at more than 100,000 miles and can be expensive to fix.
- Head Gasket or Cracked Cylinder Head: Some 1990-1994, 1997-1998, 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2013 Ford Taurus models have been reported to emit white smoke from the exhaust due to a blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder head. This issue can be resolved using a head gasket set or replacing the cylinder heads.
In summary, while the Ford Taurus is generally a reliable vehicle, it can experience several common problems, including transfer case failure, strut mounts and bearings, automatic lights switch issues, oil leaks, blend door actuators, engine oil pan gasket leaks, transmission system issues, and head gasket or cracked cylinder head problems. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address these issues early on, potentially saving car owners from costly repairs.
Is the Ford Taurus a reliable car?
The Ford Taurus is a reliable midsize car with a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal. Some of the top Ford Taurus problems include a cracked windshield, gasket leaks, and engine problems.
What are the bad years for Ford Taurus?
Quick Answer: The Ford Taurus surprisingly has very few years to avoid. Those include 2002, 2003, and 2005. For a vehicle that's been in the industry as long as the Taurus, there are only three years that stand out among the rest as being worrisome.
Why did Ford stop making Taurus?
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, sales of the Taurus declined as it lost market share to Japanese mid-size sedans and as Ford shifted resources towards developing SUVs. The Taurus was withdrawn after the 2007 model year, with production ending on October 27, 2006.
How long do Ford Taurus engines last?
The range for a Ford Taurus is typically 180,000-200,000 miles. Based on those numbers, anything above 150,000 would be considered high mileage for a Ford Taurus.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ford Taurus years
We have researched Ford problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ford Taurus cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Ford Taurus model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ford Taurus model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ford Taurus years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ford Taurus car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ford Taurus , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Suspension problems
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ford Taurus vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Taurus model years
A total of 1181 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Taurus model years
There were a total of 621 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Taurus model years
There were a total of 1060 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Taurus model years
There were a total of 44 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 19807 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford Taurus . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford Taurus vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 1FAHP2H82DG
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost all motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); the VIN was included, but had already been repaired in 2014. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Ford Taurus 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 1FAHP2H87EG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: rear view camera image is blank, distorted or inverted on 2014 Ford Taurus. Never know which will happen when car is put into reverse.
Ford Taurus 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 1FAHP2H89FG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Me and numerous other taurus owners (2013-2019) are experiencing catalytic converter issues with the catalytic converter(s). The sensors are throwing code P0420 and/or P430. This tells us emissions aren't up to emissions standards.
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-30
- VIN: 1FAHP2F82DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The electric power steering has gone out. I am experiencing the exact same problem as other ford Taurus of the same year, make and model that have had recalls on the electric power steering.
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-19
- VIN: 1FAHP2KT1DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The contact drove to the residence, where the steering wheel seized. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence. The mechanic determined that the electric power steering gear had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Ford Taurus 2010
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 1FAHP2KT2AG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Ford Taurus 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-11
- VIN: 1FAFP53U96A
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Intermittent accelerator sticking. After lifting foot from accelerator to prepare for braking/stopping the car continues to accelerate. Safety is at risk in traffic and intersections. There is online documentation related to previous NHTSA investigations. Ford and the local dealership has stated that there is not a defined recall. Although there may not be a “recall” this is certainly a safety problem!!
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-09
- VIN: 1FAHP2J82DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while her husband was starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist had failed and that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Ford Taurus 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-09
- VIN: 1FAHP2F87FG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. In addition, the steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with power steering control module (PSCM) failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Ford Taurus 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-03
- VIN: 1FAHP2EW3BG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the camshaft, cam phasers, and connecting rod bearings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 1FAHP2F86DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: When you go to steer it just like it locks up and cant steer ,have to turn the car off and start back up and it works , happen to me twice, no worries at all , very scary.
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 1FAHP2F86DG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: Back up camera It’ll work when you start to back up and then all of a sudden it just stops working it’s been doing this often for about month.
Ford Taurus 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2014-04-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-30
- VIN: 1FAHP2F83EG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: During my vacation in the USA 2014 i bought the used car with the named VIN. The car was exported from the USA to Switzerland. He is still in service until today. The car is not listed in your database. I can't imagine, that this car escapes from the "screen", after exporting, like "out of sight, out of mind". I am aware of various recalls for this type of vehicle and i suspect that my vehicle is one of them. There has not been an incident so far, but why am I not hearing anything? It's a matter of principle. Sincerely Yours [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 1FAHP2KT9DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering was inoperable, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely firm. The failure occurred while the contact's daughter was driving on the highway. The vehicle was driven over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,134.
Ford Taurus 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-21
- VIN: 1FAHP2E83DG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: I was driving down the road about 50 mph when all of sudden my steering wheel locked up was nearly impossible to turn I had to try to keep it on the road and slow down as quickly as I could it took all my force to turn the wheel and it was not turning like it normally did it would like skip a beat and not really turn the wheel this is a common problem with 2013 ford taurus some are recalled mine However was not but after searching the web many other people have the same issue but not covered under the recall but exactly the same issue now ford turned a recall into a customer satisfaction program However I am the 2nd owner of this car was never notified by ford or the original owner of the customer satisfaction program so apparently they turned a recall into a csp and if it's past 10 years or 150 thousand miles ford will no longer fix it as I said before I was never notified by ford or the original owner this has caused 16 accidents all together almost caused me to crash I have seen many post of people doing 60 plus mph around a corner and lose steering causing a an accident these cars are not safe on the road with these steering racks it's a dangerous recall ford should have to cover it wether it's been 10 years or 150 thousand miles I'm the 2nd owner never notified I can't afford 3 grand just for the rack I can't get to work now because I live in the middle of no where and ford refuses to fix the problem this easily could have caused a head on accident killing me and the other people involved in the collision with iver 16 accident and 4 of them having injuries and not being notified of this issue I feel as it should be fixed by ford and a recall can't be turned into a csp with a restriction on how many miles or years u can have or they don't have to fix there own recall now im without a car without a job and ford refuses to fix the problem they know they created this is super dangerous and could lead to many more accidents please look into this
Latest 5 recalls Ford Taurus
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 165 recalls for different components of the Ford Taurus.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Ford Taurus 2014
- Report Received Date: 2020-11-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
- Consequence: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
- Model: Ford Taurus 2015
- Report Received Date: 2020-11-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
- Consequence: The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
- Model: Ford Taurus 2015
- Report Received Date: 2020-02-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
- Model: Ford Taurus 2013
- Report Received Date: 2020-02-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
- Model: Ford Taurus 2018
- Report Received Date: 2020-02-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
- Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
Latest negative Ford Taurus car reviews
Latest positive Ford Taurus car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2011
This car has the best navigation and media system out of all the others we drove. Although it requires a monthly fee for the extras from Sirius, it's definitely worth it in my opinion. It makes the car feel even more special when you're driving. The car is also very stylish and the seats are comfortable. The cooled seats are amazing and there's lots of room in the back. It may be a hair slower than some others in the quarter, but when you drive it, you'll hardly notice. Additionally, the torque band is flat, so shifts are extremely smooth. As a family sedan, it's not only good-looking, but also provides a smooth ride and is roomy. There are also lots of gadgets to make the car special, no matter the trim level.
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Vehicle year: 1995
I received my Taurus from my parents in 2003 when I got my license in high school. Prior to that, it belonged to my older sister during her high school years, and before that, it was my eldest sister's. So, by the time I got it, it had already been in my family for five years. I drove it all through college, from Santa Barbara to Sacramento and back. This car is truly a miracle, and even now, after graduating from law school, I am still driving it! I have given up all hope that it will ever die. I was hoping it would not pass the smog test this year so I could turn it in for a program where I would receive $1500, but to my surprise, it PASSED. This car is absolutely amazing!
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Vehicle year: 1994
Hi there! I'm happy to hear that your Taurus is still running strong even after 198k miles! It's great that you've only had minor problems with it. Although you mentioned needing to replace the transmission gasket soon, it's impressive that the engine is still going strong. It's amazing how well-maintained cars can last for so long. It sounds like you've taken good care of your Taurus, and I hope it continues to serve you well. :)
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Vehicle year: 2001
The car is a reliable and dependable vehicle with good gas mileage, making it a great choice for long trips. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and transmission service every 50,000 miles or so, will keep it running smoothly. While the brake rotors can be a major problem as they tend to warp easily, upgrading to 4-discs instead of drums in the back can improve stopping distance. The seats may be slightly uncomfortable, but adjusting them can help. If you're looking for more horsepower and throttle response, this car may not be the best choice. Additionally, if you plan on driving aggressively, be aware that the engine oil pressure can jump up quickly. Overall, this car is a solid choice and has only required a serpentine belt replacement at 117k miles.
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Vehicle year: 2007
I purchased this car for my wife and she loves it, and so do I. It has great looks both inside and out. The 3.0 engine is peppy, and the transmission shifts smoothly. We average 27 to 29 mpg, even though we live in the mountains of NC. The front seats are firm, yet comfortable. We highly recommend this car for a great, inexpensive, and comfortable ride!
Are you having problems with your Ford Taurus?
Edd Langosh 2025-06-23
Vehicle year: 1999
I bought my Taurus for $100 with 185000 miles on it. Although it needed new struts, y-pipe, and a muffler, I decided to replace the spark plugs, wires, and air filter just to be safe. In the end, I paid $800 for it and have been driving it for 2.5 years now. One common flaw with these cars is the rocker panels rot, but considering it has 203000 miles and has been driven through New Hampshire winters for 14 years, some wear and tear is expected. Despite the noisy engine, the driver's seat is super comfy and the trunk and back seat have plenty of room. While the interior is just okay and the plastic on the dash is separating, I can't complain for the price I paid. I absolutely love my Taurus!
Ole King 2025-06-19
Vehicle year: 1998
In 1999, I purchased a car from a pharmaceutical sales company with 64,000 hwy miles for $11,000. During the first year, I spent $250 on a brake job, including warped rotors. Although my mileage was lower than average, I had to replace brakes and tires frequently for the first three years. I also experienced overheating problems, which required me to spend quite a bit of money on flushing the system and getting new coolant. Unfortunately, the heater was not working reliably, and coolant continued to leak out from the system recovery tank, even after replacing pressure caps twice. At 98,000 miles, the transmission gave out, and it cost me $4400 to fix it. Recently, the door ajar light and check engine lights came on, and the heater stopped working. Additionally, there is a leak in the A/C system, which means there is no air. Unfortunately, the car won't pass smog, and the camshaft position sensor went out. I hope this information helps.
Josh Goodwin 2025-06-17
Vehicle year: 1995
It's amazing how my Taurus just keeps going! With 265,000 miles on the clock, it's still running strong and hasn't burned or leaked a drop of oil. I've replaced some of the expected wear parts before they broke down and always change the oil at 3000 miles. Although I did have to replace the transmission at 230,000 miles, it's still going strong. The paint is starting to show some wear and tear, and the interior plastic is becoming brittle and breaking, but overall it's been a reliable car.
Sam Monahan 2025-06-15
Vehicle year: 1999
This car has been well-maintained by its previous owner, a conservative lady driver who mainly used it for shopping and occasional trips. It has proven to be reliable and low-maintenance so far.
Wayne Schowalter 2025-06-14
Vehicle year: 2001
I have had this car since September of 2005 and I must say, I am very disappointed. Many things have needed to be replaced including a new engine in 2007, alternator, coil springs, rotors (keep warping), front and rear suspension, miscellaneous hoses, belts, etc.