2004 Ford Taurus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 72about this part
- Share
- 19%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford Taurus, 19% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,500 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.
“The car will try to accelerate when coming to a stop as well as when you foot is off the accelerator. In the instances that this has happened my wife or I has shifted the car to neutral at a stop and the engine will rev to 3,000 rpms and stay there. Please note when this happens the car will try to move forward and accelerate in drive even when your foot is on the brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10452855, filed 2012-03, 109,131 miles“Drove from work to home, parked car. When I went to go start car, it would not go forward or reverse. Had it towed to Ford dealer.upon further investigation with friends they told me Taurus/sable were known for bad converters, went on internet to investigate information and had huge response to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10496106, filed 2013-02, 56,717 miles“I was driving my 2004 Ford Taurus and suddenly it jerked and made a noise. I was on my way home not far away and did manage to get to my house into my driveway but then it would not pull at all , the transmission went out completely. We are still making payments on this car that is even worse and it could have been dangerous if it had quit in traffic on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10382705, filed 2011-02, 125,000 miles“I have a 2004 Ford Taurus ses with a 24v duratec 3.0l dohc engine and 4f50n transmission. My wife was pulling out of a parking lot on july 19, 2011 around mid-day, when the transmission lost all forward power. She stopped the car and tried the other gears with no result. No movement in any gear, forward or reverse.”
NHTSA complaint #10416532, filed 2011-08, 189,000 miles“I have a 2004 Taurus and on my way home from work my car stopped dead in the road and had to be towed. There was no prior warning or issues just my transmission stopped dead in the middle of a busy road. Mechanic told me I need a new transmission. I see this is a common issue but also a serious safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #10411678, filed 2011-07, 125,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10022203Dec 6, 2006Extended warranty coverage for vehicles with hard start when operating on e85 fuel, powertrain control module (pcm) calibration. Warranty extended for 10 years or 100,000 miles…
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10011157Sep 6, 20044f50n transaxle no 1-2 upshift and diagnositc trouble code p0732.
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 2004 Ford Taurus
164 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Taurus
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology