2010 Ford Taurus Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two themes most often: loss of electric power steering assist that arrives without warning, and a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor requiring much longer stopping distance. Drivetrain complaints cluster at very low mileage (hesitation, harsh or delayed shifting, occasional loss of drive), while engine complaints appear later and often involve coolant loss, smoke, or overheating. Steering and brake reports become more common as the car ages, often well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (EPAS failure)

   • 31 complaints (15%)
   • median 104,500 mi at 9.6 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very heavy to turn, usually with a 'Power Steering Assist Fault' or 'Service Power Steering Now' message on the dash, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes leaving a parking space. Several owners say the car was still steerable but required strong effort; the vehicle was often towed. Dealers and independent shops diagnosed the electric power steering assembly or rack as needing replacement, and several owners note their VIN was not covered by a related steering recall. Mostly reported between roughly 17,000 and 150,000 miles, with many at 100,000 miles or more and no pattern by weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Before buying, start the car and confirm no power steering warning appears, then turn the wheel lock to lock at low speed and listen for noise or binding. Ask whether the power steering assembly has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The Ford Taurus sho 2010 model has the exact same part for the steering as the 2011-2015 model that was recalled. Ford did not include this model with the recall and it suffers the same problem, sudden loss of steering with no warning. My car lost steering when driving but did not cause me to wreck. This car should be included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11104703, filed 2018-06, 105,000 miles

   “Power steering went out it has the same problem as the other Ford's that was recalled can't under stand why mine 2010 wasn't recalled but if I have a wreck I'm suing Ford in the NHTSA I promise.”

   NHTSA complaint #11270317, filed 2019-10, 109,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hesitation, harsh shifting or loss of drive

   • 31 complaints (15%)
   • median 11,650 mi at 1.3 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Complaints describe a pause of a second or two when accelerating from a stop, followed by a hard engagement or clunk, and occasional slipping or momentary loss of power. Some owners report the car dropping into neutral at speed or the backup camera turning on while driving. Dealers often could not duplicate the problem; when a cause was found it was inside the transmission, and a few repair bulletins describe valve body and range sensor concerns. Largely reported under about 40,000 miles, several within the first few thousand miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from several stops and at highway speed, feeling for delays or clunks on takeoff and any unexpected downshifts. Ask whether the transmission has been serviced or reprogrammed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my 2010 Ford Taurus sho (at various speeds including highway speeds) the car will automatically shift into neutral and my rearview camera will turn on in what appears to be an attempt by the car to automatically shift into reverse (the camera is only supposed to turn on in reverse). To date, the dealer has been unable to determine the cause and thereby unable to fix the problem and Ford has indicated they are not seeing other similar issues (not sure if this is true). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10342480, filed 2010-07, 9,300 miles

   “2010 Ford Taurus sho loses power and rear view camera activates when in drive. Almost caused a collision when lost power when making a turn with on coming traffic coming at me at high speed. This problem happens sporadically and the dealer says they could not duplicate it so Ford will not authorize any repairs. I was told to bring the car back when the problem becomes chronic. I consider this to be a safety issue and registered a complaint with Ford. Their response was the same as the dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10359494, filed 2010-10, 17,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 44 complaints (22%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 1.7 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners report the engine quitting or losing power while moving, with the dash showing a message to shift into park and the loss of power steering and braking assist at the same time. Restarting sometimes restores normal operation. Some complaints point to the throttle body, which was replaced in a few cases; others say the dealer found no cause. Reported from under 1,000 miles up to about 65,000 miles, at both city and highway speeds.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or electronic throttle components have been replaced, and check for stored codes or a history of stalling on a scan tool before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my vehicle on the interstate when it started surgeon. Then the next day when I was driving it in town started driving erratically and I thought it was going to die. I talked to Ford about it and they said that the escape and the fusion were both recalled for the same issue. The throttle body it's the issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10609350, filed 2014-07, 24,000 miles

   “Soon after I got my new 2010 Ford Taurus in march of 2010, it came to a complete stop as I was driving with my sister (mileage under 1,000 miles). I called the Ford dealership and they said to try it again - the car ran well, so I forgot about the incident. In april 2012, I again lost power suddenly and completely while driving. I put on the emergency lights, left the car in the middle of my road where it had stopped, and called aaa to tow it back to the dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10500064, filed 2013-02, 900 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks toward the floor

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2022

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling all the way down before the car slows, sometimes gradually and sometimes without warning, with stopping performance noticeably reduced. In several complaints a dealer or independent shop traced it to the master cylinder or the hydraulic side of the ABS module; some owners were told the part was on backorder and the car was not repaired. Reported from about 22,000 to 108,000 miles, appearing at both low and high mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Press the pedal firmly with the engine running and hold it; if it creeps toward the floor, have the master cylinder and ABS hydraulic unit inspected before purchase. Ask for brake service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When braking, the brake pedal almost goes to the floor before the brakes engage. Braking performance is greatly diminished, potentially leading to a crash. A local repair shop diagnosed the problem to a failure on the hydraulic side of the anti-lock braking (ABS) module. The ABS module is on backorder at the dealership and parts supplier, possibly indicating an emergent issue that the manufacturer has not responded to adequately.”

   NHTSA complaint #10731297, filed 2015-06, 96,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal had to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10884598, filed 2016-07, 51,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Overheating, coolant loss and white smoke

   • 14 complaints (7%)
   • median 112,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2022

   Complaints describe the temperature warning lighting up, steam or white smoke from under the hood, and the engine running rough before shutting down. Several owners were told the engine needed replacement, with the water pump or turbocharger oil and coolant passages mentioned as the source. A related bulletin covers oil smoke and oil consumption on engines with aluminum valve covers. Mostly reported between about 39,000 and 142,000 miles, often with little or no warning beforehand.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition when cold, look for white residue or oil staining around the turbocharger and water pump area, and watch the exhaust for persistent white smoke on a warm engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the interstate when the car started running real choppy and misfiring. I got the car to a safe destination. After restarting the vehicle, there was a tremendous amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust. I was able to get it to our nearest Ford dealership. Prior to this incident there were no check engine lights, no problems passing emissions, just no signs that anything was wrong. This is a 2 year old vehicle purchased brand new from the dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10488959, filed 2012-12, 68,000 miles

   “My vehicle suddenly ran hot while driving on the interstate at approximately 65 MPH. I immediately pulled off as my exit was approaching and within 1/2 found a safe place to park. The engine had steam coming from the radiator. After calling aaa for a tow, it was towed to the local aaa and then to the classic Ford dealership. As the car arrived on a friday, Ford did not check it until the following tuesday. I received a quote from Ford that it needed an entirely new engine,timing belt and water pump for $7, 400.00! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10663047, filed 2014-12, 82,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these cars is worth the cost here, focusing on steering assist function, brake pedal feel, and coolant and oil condition. Ask for service records showing any steering, brake hydraulic, or throttle body repairs, since several of the common complaints can be checked directly during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.