Ford Taurus Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Taurus model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (16) and the 2002 the most (1,426).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 2 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 19–21 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
44 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19–23 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
49 | 4 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 19–21 |
| 2009 | 64 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19–21 |
| 2012 | 79 | 5 | Steering | 4★ | 20–22 |
| 2016 | 81 | 4 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 19–23 |
| 2007 | 149 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | 20 |
| 2008 | 175 | 1 | Power train | — | 19–22 |
| 2011 | 187 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 20–22 |
| 2010 | 204 | 3 | Steering | — | 20–22 |
| 2014 | 229 | 5 | Steering | 5★ | 20–26 |
| 2015 | 276 | 6 | Back over prevention | 5★ | 20–26 |
| 2006 | 318 | 2 | Vehicle speed control | — | 20 |
| 2004 | 375 | 1 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–20 |
| 2013 | 584 | 9 | Steering | 5★ | 20–25 |
| 2005 | 774 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–20 |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 9 | Suspension | — | 19–20 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
1,195 | 8 | Suspension | — | 19–20 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
1,223 | 3 | Power train | — | 19–21 |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
1,426 | 3 | Suspension | — | 19–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Taurus years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2002 Ford Taurus: 1,426 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 962 (67%); Visibility 98 (7%); Vehicle speed control 76 (5%).
Reports mention 75 crashes, 11 fires, 44 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,473 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2003 Ford Taurus: 1,223 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 316 (26%); Suspension 313 (26%); Visibility 191 (16%).
Reports mention 56 crashes, 12 fires, 59 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Ford Taurus: 1,195 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 443 (37%); Service brakes 108 (9%); Engine and engine cooling 103 (9%).
Reports mention 102 crashes, 25 fires, 81 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Taurus years with the fewest complaints
2019 Ford Taurus: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Back over prevention 7 (44%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (13%); Lane departure 2 (13%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Ford Taurus: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 11 (25%); Structure 7 (16%); Engine 4 (9%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 32,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Ford Taurus: 49 complaints
Most-reported: Back over prevention 12 (24%); Structure 11 (22%); Electrical system 7 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Taurus owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2017 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2016 | 81 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 56,965 |
| 2015 | 276 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 68,500 |
| 2014 | 229 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 73,000 |
| 2013 | 584 | 20 | 6 | 25 | 0 | 84,000 |
| 2012 | 79 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 41,493 |
| 2011 | 187 | 14 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 64,000 |
| 2010 | 204 | 17 | 5 | 16 | 2 | 46,500 |
| 2009 | 64 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 31,375 |
| 2008 | 175 | 19 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 65,691 |
| 2007 | 149 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 83,000 |
| 2006 | 318 | 19 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 86,000 |
| 2005 | 774 | 40 | 10 | 28 | 2 | 90,000 |
| 2004 | 375 | 36 | 13 | 25 | 2 | 94,000 |
| 2003 | 1,223 | 56 | 12 | 59 | 2 | 78,000 |
| 2002 | 1,426 | 75 | 11 | 44 | 0 | 80,473 |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 92 | 15 | 80 | 5 | 73,000 |
| 2000 | 1,195 | 102 | 25 | 81 | 1 | 70,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Taurus recalls
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (1993–1995 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2007; 07V336000)
- FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC (1986–1987 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1987; 87V139000)
- FORD/SUBFRAME CORROSION (1986–1995 model years; 2,697,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1998; 98V323000)
- STRUCTURE:FRAME:MEMBERS AND BODY (1986–1988 model years; 1,610,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1993; 93V106000)
- Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (2015–2019 model years; 1,448,655 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2025; 25V695000)
All 71 Ford Taurus recall campaigns · Ford Taurus problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Taurus years FAQ
Which Ford Taurus year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (16). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Taurus years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2002, 2003 and 2000 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the suspension. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Taurus problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the suspension (2,338 of 8,485 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Taurus have?
NHTSA lists 71 recall campaigns covering the Ford Taurus. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Taurus recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.