2006 Ford Taurus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Ford Taurus has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 6th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 62% of complaints (198), with median failure mileage of 91,500 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #6 of 15 Taurus years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 318
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 1
Top 2006 Ford Taurus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine198 (62%)
- Transmission & Powertrain32 (10%)
- Brakes30 (9%)
- Electrical System30 (9%)
- Airbags21 (7%)
- Fuel System18 (6%)
- Structure & Body17 (5%)
- Other12 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have surged or accelerated unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes crashing into walls or ditches with the throttle apparently sticking.
- Owners report brakes losing pressure suddenly, sometimes preceded by a hissing air sound, leading to loss of stopping power.
- Frontal airbags have failed to deploy in crashes at highway speeds and in rollovers, even in vehicles that were destroyed.
- Electrical failures have caused smoke, illuminated oil/battery/engine warning lights, and loud noises during operation.
- A tie rod bolt and rod broke at low mileage, causing a loss of steering control shortly after purchase.
2006 Ford Taurus recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V119000Apr 10, 2006Electrical System19 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Certain passenger vehicles built for one specific fleet customer were modified for optional hands-free cellular phone operating capability. To provide this functionality, a special overlay wire harness was installed that inadvertently did not include the circuits for passenger air bag deactivation indicator (padi) lamp function. As a result, these vehicles do not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.'
Risk: The padi lamp will fail to illuminate and the air bag warning lamp in the cluster will stay illuminated.
Remedy: The fleet customer was notified and all vehicles have been repaired. The recall began on april 28, 2006.
- NHTSA 05V520000Nov 9, 2005Visibility & Wipers199,942 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Risk: After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
2006 Ford Taurus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Taurus reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 64 for the 2006 Taurus, ranking 6th worst among 15 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Taurus years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Taurus?
- Engine complaints make up 62% of all reports (198 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 91,500 miles. Transmission/powertrain, brakes, and electrical issues each account for 9-10% of complaints.
- Does the 2006 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2006 Taurus: one for an electrical wire harness issue affecting a specific fleet customer, and one for windshield wiper motors that may lack grease on the output shaft gear. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2006 Taurus compare to other years?
- The 2006 model's Complaint Index of 64 is lower than 2005 (93, Avoid) and 2013 (100, Avoid), but higher than 2007 (36, Good) and 2012 (14, Best), placing it in the Caution range.
- Did the 2006 Ford Taurus have airbag problems?
- NHTSA logged 21 airbag complaints for the 2006 Taurus, 7% of the total, including reports of frontal airbags failing to deploy in crashes and rollovers, with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles.