2004 Ford Taurus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Ford Taurus, 3% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Tubing to windshield washers broke. This soaked the hood insulation blanket and dripped on to the manifold. The washer fluid burst into flame burning the hood blanket and paint on the hood. Had gardenhose nearby and was able to limit damage. Only indication of problem was lack of spray on windshield. Filled bottle with fluid and shut hood to operate system. Smoke from under hood and through AC vents alerted me to fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10279024, filed 2009-08, 54,000 miles“Dt: the contact stated water was leaking inside the vehicle on the passenger's side. The gaskets that hold the windshield were severed. The manufacturer has been contacted. Updated 2/7/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10147475, filed 2006-01, 47,000 miles“My Ford Taurus shut-off blowing heat through the fan and essentially, I do not have any heat in the car. I took to a dealer and they mentioned that water leaked through cowl panel causing failure of the blower motor and / or resistor. I have extended warranty and was told that cowl is not even a part and therefore is not covered and since water leak caused the blower motor to fail, that part also is not covered. I have looked through the TSB's that Ford published, that said that this defect is covered in bumper to bumper warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10223422, filed 2008-04“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when it would rain, water would accumulate on the front passenger side floorboard. There was no visible damage to the seals of the windshield yet, the contact stated that water was entering the vehicle from the windshield. The dealer advised that there was a recall for the 2002-2003 models (NHTSA campaign id number: 03v087000-visibility: windshield) but not for his particular year vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 63,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10359629, filed 2010-10, 63,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus se. While driving at 45 MPH with the rear window defroster activated, the contact smelled electrical smoke and found that the rear window defroster was on fire. The defroster was shut off and the rear window shattered. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer advised the failure was one of a kind and advised him to replace the rear window before any repairs could be made to the defroster unit. The rear defrost connector was replaced on july 16, 2010. Updated 09/27/10”
NHTSA complaint #10339472, filed 2010-06, 64,782 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018742Nov 14, 2005Power window concerns - service tip.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013395Nov 15, 2004Grunting noise from front power window glass is powered to the full up position.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011154Aug 9, 2004Wiper motor continuous operation.
- 10011149Aug 9, 2004Water in the blower case or on the passenger side floor, an inoperative climate control blower motor, a motor that operates on high speed only, and/or a blower motor resistor…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 196 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 4% |
| 2000 | 45 | 4% |
| 1999 | 59 | 7% |
| 1998 | 17 | 3% |
| 1997 | 57 | 7% |
| 1996 | 55 | 7% |
| 1995 | 38 | 3% |
| 1994 | 30 | 3% |
| 1993 | 157 | 10% |
| 1992 | 43 | 6% |
| 1991 | 19 | 3% |
| 1990 | 24 | 6% |
| 1989 | 14 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 3% |
| 1987 | 10 | 4% |
| 1986 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Taurus
164 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
72 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 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