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Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 71 recall campaigns across the Ford Taurus, 1981–2019. Owners have filed 18,282 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2005 drew the most (774) and the 2019 the fewest (16).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford Taurus complaints by model year

18,282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2019 · 16 complaints
  • 2017 · 44 complaints
  • 2018 · 49 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2005 · 774 complaints
  • 2013 · 584 complaints
  • 2006 · 318 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2010–2019. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Ford Taurus owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Steering 41251729564509310
Engine 37401170163312431
Fuel/propulsion system 7229655537310
Electrical system 19471658293161171
Unknown or other 1315637204214982
Power train 361824412183170
Back over prevention 0219658262127
Structure 111216124567111

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Ford Taurus recalls (71)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Taurus model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford Taurus
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
25V695000Oct 13, 2025Rearview Camera Image May Not Display2015–20191.1%
25V611000Sep 12, 2025Driver and Front Passenger Door Trim May Detach2016–20195%
20V692000Nov 10, 2020Link Shaft Brackets May Fracture2014, 201568.2%
20V072000Feb 10, 2020Rear Suspension Toe Links May Fracture2013–201869.5%
18V141000Mar 1, 2018Key Can Be Removed Without Being in Park/FMVSS 1142017, 201881.1%
17V530000Aug 28, 2017Loss of Power Assisted Steering201777.9%
16V925000Dec 22, 2016Oil Leak from Turbocharger201687.8%
16V621000Aug 25, 2016Fuel Pump Malfunction may Cause Engine Stall2013, 2014, 201581.2%
16V247000Apr 26, 2016Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly2008–201284.3%
15V812000Dec 2, 2015Fuel Delivery Module may Crack and Leak201380.2%
15V605000Sep 28, 2015Fuel Tank Mounting Bolts may be Loose201588.7%
15V464000Jul 24, 2015Parking Brake may not Fully Engage/FMVSS 135201579%
15V340000Jun 2, 2015Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist2011, 2012, 201369.4%
15V040000Jan 28, 2015Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat2010–201352.2%
14V393000Jul 2, 2014Halfshaft Disengagement/Loss of Drive/Roll Away2013, 201490.4%

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗
All 71 Ford Taurus recalls by model year →

Crash-test stars by model year

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the Ford Taurus (most-tested body style each year)
Model yearOverallFrontalSideRolloverTested as
2019★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2018★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2017★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2016★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2015★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2014★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2013★★★★★5★5★4★4 dr fwd
2012★★★★☆4★5★4★4 dr fwd
2011★★★★☆4★5★4★4 dr fwd

Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy by model year

200620 mpg
200720 mpg
200819–22 mpg
200919–21 mpg
201020–22 mpg
201120–22 mpg
201220–22 mpg
201320–25 mpg
201420–26 mpg
201520–26 mpg
201619–23 mpg
201719–23 mpg
201819–21 mpg
201919–21 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Ford Taurus FAQ

How many recalls has the Ford Taurus had?

NHTSA lists 71 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford Taurus model year from 1981 to 2019. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Ford Taurus year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2005 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (774) and the 2019 the fewest (16). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Ford Taurus problems?

Across the 2010–2019 model years, owners most often name the steering, engine, fuel/propulsion system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Ford Taurus get?

EPA rates the 2019 Ford Taurus at 19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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