2018 Ford Taurus Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rear camera images that go blank, distort, or turn upside down, and recall repairs that were not yet done because parts were unavailable. Several complaints say the Taurus was left out of camera or suspension recalls, and mileage is often missing from these reports. Other reports cover water pump leaks, worn rear toe links, and a few engine or transmission shutdowns.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Recall repairs delayed while parts were unavailable

   • 16 complaints (31%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe receiving notices for the B-pillar trim recall (25V611000) and the rear camera recall (25V695000), but being told the replacement parts were not yet available. The dealer said parts might be unavailable for several months, and an owner says the vehicle could not be registered while the recall remained open. Several describe the trim coming loose or detaching, in some cases at highway speed, and some say the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair. Where mileage is listed, complaints range from about 26,000 to 135,000 miles, and a few say no failure had yet occurred.

   Recall 25V611000Recall 25V695000

   What to check: Ask the seller or dealer to confirm in writing that the B-pillar trim and rear camera recall repairs were completed, and check the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image while reversing. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11700415, filed 2025-11, 45,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while geared in Reverse, the rearview camera would not display a clear view image as intended on the center digital screen. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735830, filed 2026-05, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rear camera blank, distorted, or upside down

   • 15 complaints (29%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the rear camera showing a blank, distorted, upside-down, or blinking image when in reverse, sometimes with a camera unavailable message or a blue or black screen. An owner says the fault came from a media console that also controls the camera, and another describes the image appearing and then disappearing. Several complaints say the Taurus was not listed in the camera recall, even though owners see the same symptoms. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 45,000 to 135,000 miles, and many of these complaints do not list mileage.

   Recall 25V695000

   What to check: Test the rear camera by reversing several times with the engine running, and check the VIN against the 25V695000 recall lookup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The backup camera on my vehicle does not work. The screen is all white which prevents me from seeing behind the car. Ford had a recall for the same problem on other car models but not for the 2018 Taurus.”

   NHTSA complaint #11634026, filed 2025-01, 109,767 miles

   “Rear back up camera when in reverse my screen will blink black then be normal. It will sometimes go blue or just stay black or camera not available it sometimes have half screen. It has not been inspected nor any faulty lights warnings besides one or 2 times of camera unavailable. I know there are some recalls on other vehicles with this issue but the Taurus SHO.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687402, filed 2025-09
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rear toe links worn or fractured

   Mentioned in 5 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners describe worn or fractured rear toe links, with symptoms such as rear drifting, fishtailing on slippery roads, and loss of control when braking. In several complaints the vehicle was not included in recall 20V072000, so the repair was not done. An owner says an independent mechanic linked a loss of control to a fractured toe link, and in other cases the dealer advised replacement. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 17,500 to 100,000 miles.

   Recall 20V072000

   What to check: Check the VIN against recall 20V072000 and ask whether the rear toe links have been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear toe links have a lot of slack resulting in rear drifting on uneven/slippery ground. This results in poor handling and fishtailing making it significantly harder to maintain control of the vehicle. Extreme caution required during slippery road conditions as the car will start to fishtail on it's own and requires constant corrective steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #11713318, filed 2026-01

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine oil service, the dealer noticed that a tow link was worn and advised the contact that the rear tow links needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,158.”

   NHTSA complaint #11420272, filed 2021-06, 40,158 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Engine or transmission shutdowns and hesitation

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe the engine or transmission cutting out or hesitating, including a shutdown at a stop after a short drive and a stall at about 45 mph. Some see a transmission not in Park message before the stall or shutdown, restart the vehicle, and find the dealer could not reproduce the problem. Hesitation is also reported under light acceleration and when reversing from a parking space. One complaint describes a shutdown while driving up a ramp at 65 mph that ended in a crash. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 5,500 to 155,500 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission not in Park message has ever been diagnosed, and have a scan tool check for stored codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine stumbles on light acceleration like it is starving for fuel. I hit the gas, the engine starts to respond, then stumbles. Doesn't natter if the engine is hot or cold. I have the same issue with my 2018 f-150. Dealer can't find anything, as it doesn't produce a fault code and it doesn't act up when they test it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11180829, filed 2019-02, 5,500 miles

   “After exiting thruway after driving 10-15 minutes, car shuts off at a stop sign/traffic light. notice on screen right hand side state transmission not in park. I put car into park then restart vehicle. This has happened three times in last 6 months. Taken to dealer and they cannot reproduce problem or when scanned, no problem shows up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11557073, filed 2023-11
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Water pump leaks, coolant loss and overheating

   Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners describe coolant draining quickly from the reservoir or leaking from a failing water pump, sometimes with an engine overheated message on the dashboard. One owner says the water pump sits inside the engine, so coolant can get into the engine when it fails, and that the dealer said the engine was not worth fixing. Some say the warranty had expired or the manufacturer offered little help. Where mileage is listed, reports fall between about 99,500 and 108,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the water pump has been replaced, and check the coolant level and the ground under the vehicle for leaks, since some complaints say no warning light came on first.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This 2018 Ford Taurus had a water pump fail. This vehicle has a water pump inside the engine instead of attached to the outside of the engine like usual. When it fails, coolant fluid gets inside of the engine and ruins it. Normally, when a water pump fails, coolant would leak but not inside of the engine. This is a design flaw. This 2018 Taurus was bought new and maintained with excellence at Ford dealerships. This is a loss of worth of $6000 to me. The dealership states it would cost $10000 to replace the engine so it is not worth fixing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11630194, filed 2024-12

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a significant puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon checking the fluid reservoirs, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle, but the coolant leaked onto the ground. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11697637, filed 2025-11, 105,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers should check the VIN against the 25V695000 and 25V611000 recalls and ask whether the repairs were completed, since many complaints describe waiting for parts. A pre-purchase inspection that tests the rear camera in reverse, checks the rear toe links, and looks for coolant leaks can help.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 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.