Ford Taurus reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,754 complaints about the Ford Taurus with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and engine. Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions and 2 service campaigns for it, and there are 19 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Taurus? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Taurus a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,754
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 2
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 2
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 19
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Taurus with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17 | Backup camera and rear sensors (47%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 50 | Backup camera and rear sensors (26%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2017 | 44 | Electrical system (25%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 | 82 | Backup camera and rear sensors (32%) | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 278 | Backup camera and rear sensors (22%) | 6 | 1 |
| 2014 | 229 | Steering (28%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2013 | 584 | Steering (51%) | 9 | 2 |
| 2012 | 79 | Steering (22%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 187 | Electrical system (25%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2010 | 204 | Steering (20%) | 3 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Taurus model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Taurus, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2014
Ford/lincoln: There is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of ABS speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for PCM reprogramming. Model 2011-14 F-super duty, escape, taurus, fusion, mkt, mkz.
- Warranty extensionJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Information regarding extended warranty for covering accessory protocol interface module regardless of mileage. Models 2011-2013 Edge, explorer, mkx, focus, escape, flex, fusion, taurus, mks, mkt, mkz, F-150, f-super duty.
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2017
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignOct 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015
Demonsftration/Delivery Hold - Customer Satisfaction Program 15B32 Certain 2015 Model Year F-150, MKS, and 2016 Explorer, F-Super Duty, and
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Taurus model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering504 (29%)
- Engine226 (13%)
- Electrical system225 (13%)
- Fuel and propulsion214 (12%)
- Other or unspecified167 (10%)
- Transmission and drivetrain135 (8%)
- Backup camera and rear sensors107 (6%)
- Cruise control and speed control60 (3%)
Safety recalls
19 recalls cover at least one Taurus model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position.
The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
The affected vehicles have a parking brake that may not fully engage when applied.
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
And 4 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA's own page for the 2019 Ford Taurus has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Taurus reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,754 owner complaints, 2 warranty extensions and 2 service campaigns Ford filed, and 19 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (584), 2015 (278), 2014 (229). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Taurus?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (29%), engine (13%), electrical system (13%). Ford has filed 2 warranty extensions covering the Taurus, listed on this page.
Which Taurus model years have the most complaints?
2013 (584), 2015 (278), 2014 (229). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Taurus with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Taurus?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2011–2014); equipment and accessories (model years 2013). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Taurus?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 19 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.