Ford Taurus Best and Worst Years (2005–2019)
Ford Taurus years to avoid are 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2015, with 2013 the worst (complaint index 100, 584 complaints, 9 recalls). Best years are 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2019, all with low complaint indexes (14, 7, 21, and 0).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2010Avoid 2013Avoid 2015Best 2012Best 2017Best 2018Best 2019
- Model years
- 15
- 2005–2019
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,228
- Recall campaigns
- 21
- Crashes reported
- 181
- Fires reported
- 42
- Top problem area
- Engine
Taurus Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Taurus problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 93 | 774 | 40 | 10 | 0 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 64 | 318 | 19 | 4 | 2 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 36 | 149 | 8 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 50 | 175 | 19 | 7 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 43 | 64 | 9 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 86 | 204 | 17 | 5 | 3 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 71 | 187 | 14 | 2 | 4 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 14 | 79 | 1 | 3 | 5 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 584 | 20 | 6 | 9 | Steering | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 57 | 229 | 13 | 1 | 5 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 79 | 276 | 12 | 1 | 6 | Fuel System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 29 | 81 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 20 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 7 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 21 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 19 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 19 | 5★ |
Taurus years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Ford Taurus Index 100 · 584 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2013 Taurus ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100, 584 complaints, and 9 recall campaigns. Steering problems dominate at 51 percent of complaints, failing at a median of 95,000 miles, tied to recalls over rear suspension toe links and fuel delivery modules. Owners also reported engine fires starting near the license plate area and under the hood, plus a case of a wheel separating from the vehicle at low speed due to a broken axle.
2013 steering problems →2013 fuel system problems →2013 engine problems →
2005 Ford Taurus Index 93 · 774 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2005 Taurus carries a complaint index of 93, the second-highest of any year, with 774 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 75 percent of complaints for the year at a median failure mileage of 93,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues account for another 16 percent, failing around 84,000 miles. Owners also reported airbags that failed to deploy in crashes and at least one under-hood fire. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year, meaning known defects were not addressed through a formal recall.
2005 engine problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 fuel system problems →
2010 Ford Taurus Index 86 · 204 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2010 Taurus has a complaint index of 86 and three recall campaigns covering airbags, interior door handles, and license plate lamps. Engine complaints lead at 33 percent of the year's total, failing at a median of 46,500 miles, followed by steering issues at 20 percent failing near 103,750 miles. Owners reported vehicles rolling unexpectedly after being shut off in park, sudden loss of power at low speed leading to crashes, and airbags that did not deploy during collisions.
2010 engine problems →2010 steering problems →2010 brakes problems →
2015 Ford Taurus Index 79 · 276 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2015 Taurus shows a complaint index of 79 across 276 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, including rearview camera, front drive axle bracket, and rear suspension toe link recalls. Fuel system issues lead at 26 percent of complaints, failing around 76,300 miles. Owners described vehicles unexpectedly rolling out of park after shutdown, sudden loss of steering during turns tied to lower control arm and ball joint separation, and an airbag deploying while the vehicle was parked.
2015 fuel system problems →2015 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2015 steering problems →
Most common Ford Taurus problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine1,270 (39%)
- Steering558 (17%)
- Electrical System389 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain361 (11%)
- Fuel System355 (11%)
- Other237 (7%)
- Brakes219 (7%)
- Structure & Body171 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires129 (4%)
- Airbags126 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Ford Taurus should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2015 Ford Taurus. The 2013 model year is the worst overall, with a complaint index of 100, 584 complaints, and 9 recall campaigns.
- What is the best year for a Ford Taurus?
- The 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ford Taurus rate as the best years based on NHTSA data, with complaint indexes of 14, 7, 21, and 0 respectively.
- Does the Ford Taurus have steering problems?
- Steering is the top problem area for the 2013 model year, accounting for 51 percent of that year's complaints, with failures at a median of 95,000 miles. Across all Taurus years, steering makes up 17 percent of total complaints.
- How many recalls does the Ford Taurus have?
- Across model years 2005 to 2019, NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the Ford Taurus, with 2013 alone accounting for 9 of them.
- Is the 2005 Ford Taurus reliable?
- The 2005 Ford Taurus has a complaint index of 93, the second-highest among all model years, with 774 total complaints and engine problems making up 75 percent of them, so it ranks among the years to avoid.