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 The Taurus was withdrawn after the 2007 model year, with production ending on October 27, 2006.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: 2004
This Taurus has great performance with almost 210 hp and steers and rides comfortably. Along the way, there will be some expected maintenance for the car, but this is normal with all vehicles. Although the transmission is a little weak, if you have the fluid completely flushed and replaced every 2 years, the transmission will stay smooth and reliable for a very long time.
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Vehicle year: 2004
I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share my experience with my 2004 Taurus wagon that I bought used 2 years ago. I'm happy to report that I get 28mpg on the highway and have had no major problems over the past 2 years. One feature that I find particularly useful is the trip odometer, as well as the dash display that shows mpg and miles to empty fuel. The traction control and ABS have also added peace of mind. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with my purchase!
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Vehicle year: 1993
The car I have is amazing! It's economical, spacious enough for a family, and has some real power! The only major repairs I've had to do in its lifetime were a $500 AC repair and a $400 fan repair. Unfortunately, I recently experienced a major issue with a throwout bearing which caused grooves in the hub in the bell housing. It was a real headache, but I'm fixing it anyway because this car is just too good to let go of.
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Vehicle year: 1995
No problems ever! You can drive it anywhere.
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Vehicle year: 1996
I really appreciate this car! It's enjoyable to drive and is a significant upgrade from the typical 4 cylinder sedan. Additionally, it handles the road exceptionally well.
Are you having problems with your Ford Taurus?
Caleb Heaney 2025-08-03
Vehicle year: 1997
Your car is amazing! It's been running for 14 years and still going strong. You bought it used when it was 3 years old with 29,000 miles and it now has over 123,000 miles. It's normal to experience some problems with an older car, but you've done a great job keeping it in good condition. Although it likes to leak fluids and burn oil in the engine area, you've been on top of it by keeping an eye on the oil reservoir. The door jam sensor may be a bit of a nuisance, but it's impressive that your car still has good acceleration after all these years. The only downside is the fuel mileage, but overall, your car is a true survivor!
Sedrick Nitzsche 2025-07-29
Vehicle year: 2010
My transmission has been slipping since I had 11 miles on the car, and almost a year later, it still hasn't been fixed. Despite being told that it needs more miles on it or that it needs to adjust to the driver, I am confident that this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. It is unacceptable to have a car that can't be relied upon to work properly, especially when it comes to safety on the road. I am determined to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.
Nicola Pacocha 2025-07-23
Vehicle year: 1994
I have invested $1400 into this car over the past 7 months. Despite the cost, I have continued to make repairs with confidence that each repair would be the last. Recently, the suspension system failed while driving on the highway, causing the spring attached to the front tire to snap in half. I replaced the entire suspension system. Although the transmission and electrical system have had some issues, I have been able to handle them with ease. Overall, I am confident in my ability to maintain this car and ensure its longevity.
Isom Cartwright 2025-07-23
Vehicle year: 1998
It sounds like you've had a lot of issues with your car, from electrical problems to brake repairs and more. It can be frustrating to deal with all of these maintenance needs, but it's great to hear that the car still drives well. I hope that you're able to find a solution for the air compressor issue soon. Additionally, I appreciate your honesty about the cup holders - it's always helpful to know what to expect. Thank you for sharing your experience with this car.
Brayan Price 2025-07-23
Vehicle year: 2003
It's great to hear about your experience with your Royal Blue 2003 Taurus SE! While it may have been a bit different at first going from your '97 Acura 2.5 TL, it sounds like you've grown to love your Taurus. It's impressive that you've driven it from Jackson, MS to New Orleans and to Ole Miss numerous times without any issues. It's also great to hear that you've only had to replace the starter, alternator, and battery, which were all under warranty from JD Byrider. Thank you for sharing your story and we hope you continue to enjoy your Taurus until you can get a brand new black Ford Taurus SHO!