2001 Ford Taurus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,037 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Taurus, 6% of the 1,037 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since I've owned the car the transmission on the dash has been off meaning ... To put it in drive it has to say 1 st. On the dash reverse is where drive is or d. ... Yesterday I came to a stop sign and there was a huge thunk and I could not drive the car had froze then after messing with the shift arm it went thunk again and I got it home but cant drive any farther ..I also have had electronic problems since I got it one dash lights inside wont work next day blinker next day radio next day head lights .... And the front end thunks when driving and is not connected to the road ...it feels”
NHTSA complaint #11389681, filed 2021-01, 130,000 miles“Today, june 24, 2017 at about 1:00 pm, I was stopped at a red light on a city street, waiting for the light to turn green, to turn left onto the state highway. My foot was on the brake pedal, so I was not touching the gas pedal at all. Suddenly, and without any warning, my vehicle accelerated without any action on my part, and rapidly started into the busy intersection. Despite my vain attempts to stop my vehicle, by pushing as hard is possible on the brake pedal with both feet, it didn't decrease the acceleration at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11001184, filed 2017-06, 130,000 miles“Without notice Ford Taurus 2001 ses just stopped accelerating. I was on a very busy highway and going around 70mph. And the vehicle just stopped going. Seems like a very common problem with this vehicle luckily I was able to get safely to the side of the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10314753, filed 2010-02, 110,000 miles“I own a 2001 Ford Taurus station wagon. Twice now I've been told I need a new transmission. True, I have just under 100,000 miles on it; but that's still two transmissions. The first time I replaced the tranny I had about 50,000 miles on it. Piece of junk!”
NHTSA complaint #10215805, filed 2008-01, 95,500 miles“Intermittent transmition disengaging. The other day I drove to my driveway, slowed down, pulling into the driveway, gave it some gas and the RPM's went up but I could not get up my driveway because of this issue. I have had my 2001 Ford tauras with 31000 in two other times to the Ford dealer for this issue and they find nothing wrong, yet they want me to by an extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10082848, filed 2004-07, 29,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 18 | 6% |
| 2014 | 12 | 5% |
| 2013 | 44 | 8% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 10% |
| 2010 | 36 | 18% |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% |
| 2008 | 44 | 25% |
| 2007 | 16 | 11% |
| 2006 | 32 | 10% |
| 2005 | 123 | 16% |
| 2004 | 72 | 19% |
| 2003 | 316 | 26% |
| 2002 | 39 | 3% |
| 2001 | 58 | 6% |
| 2000 | 99 | 8% |
| 1999 | 91 | 10% |
| 1998 | 69 | 13% |
| 1997 | 214 | 28% |
| 1996 | 182 | 22% |
| 1995 | 394 | 33% |
| 1994 | 269 | 29% |
| 1993 | 174 | 11% |
| 1992 | 105 | 15% |
| 1991 | 260 | 40% |
| 1990 | 42 | 11% |
| 1989 | 52 | 9% |
| 1988 | 37 | 11% |
| 1987 | 29 | 11% |
| 1986 | 19 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Taurus
515 complaintsVehicle speed control
99 complaintsBrakes
97 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsBody and structure
38 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsTires
35 complaintsExterior lighting
29 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology