Ford Taurus Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 18,162 consumer complaints across the 34 model years of the Ford Taurus (1986–2019) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 1,557. Across all years, the part named most often is suspension (3,078 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Taurus model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 18 | 101,500 | 2 | 55 | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 52 | 52,000 | 4 | 75 | 11 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 44 | 32,000 | 4 | 102 | 21 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 86 | 58,482 | 4 | 111 | 33 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 281 | 68,500 | 6 | 75 | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 229 | 73,000 | 5 | 82 | 79 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 585 | 83,950 | 9 | 94 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 79 | 41,493 | 5 | 53 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 187 | 63,500 | 4 | 49 | 90 · More | Rising |
| 2010 | 204 | 46,500 | 3 | 38 | 92 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 64 | 31,375 | 0 | 14 | 43 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 175 | 65,406 | 1 | 17 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 149 | 83,000 | 0 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 318 | 86,000 | 2 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 774 | 90,000 | 0 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 375 | 94,000 | 1 | 32 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 1,223 | 78,000 | 3 | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 1,426 | 80,471 | 3 | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 72,500 | 9 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 1,195 | 70,000 | 8 | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 874 | 70,000 | 5 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 545 | 87,000 | 2 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 770 | 84,324 | 3 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 825 | 95,000 | 6 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 1,205 | 91,700 | 5 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 923 | 94,269 | 4 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 1,557 | 105,000 | 6 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 681 | 101,377 | 5 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 649 | 96,929 | 4 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 381 | 100,000 | 6 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 562 | 95,373 | 5 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 333 | 110,000 | 5 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 255 | 66,673 | 8 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 101 | — | 8 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Suspension3,078 19%
- Transmission and drivetrain2,882 18%
- Engine cooling2,876 18%
- Vehicle speed control2,082 13%
- Electrical system1,579 9.7%
- Steering1,370 8.4%
- Brakes1,324 8.2%
- Body and structure1,047 6.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2014: “On 3/8/23 I was attempting to turn around on a residential street. I put my car in reverse and started turning steering wheel to the right when suddenly there was a loud pop and my steering wheel tighted up and I could barely turn it. IThen when I put in drive it stated rattling everywhere. I almost hit another car trying to turn in a drive cause couldn't turn. …”
NHTSA complaint #11512101, filed 2023-03, 121,997 miles2016: “The fuel pump control module failed, rendering the vehicle unable to start, steer, or brake properly. The vehicle was started but not moving. It stalled and was unable to start again. I know this was a known issue for earlier models of the same vehicle. I have repair invoices, but am currently unable to upload them to the website.”
NHTSA complaint #11394272, filed 2021-02, 113,000 miles1997: “Oil light does not come on when low. 2. Engine light always on. 3 when I was driving this winter, the brakes, they locked up on me and I almost had a collision with two other cars but I hit a curb and was able to get my car moving again. 4.car is loud while driving. 5 can't get good gas milage.6.car has developed an oil leak.”
NHTSA complaint #11403159, filed 2021-03, 162,846 milesOther Ford models
38,897 complaintsFord Explorer
34,624 complaintsFord Escape
27,530 complaintsFord Fusion
22,441 complaintsFord Focus
22,107 complaintsFord Windstar
14,152 complaintsFord Edge
14,106 complaintsFord Expedition
9,385 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology