YearToAvoid

2013 Ford Taurus Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 44 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Taurus, 8% of all 584 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 72,000. A related recall (14V393000) covers halfshaft retention issues on this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
44
8% of 584
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of acceleration or power while driving, often with a wrench-shaped warning light appearing on the dash.
  • Several describe the vehicle stalling or slowing to a crawl at highway or city speeds, sometimes requiring the car to be pulled off the road.
  • Some owners report the front drive axle or halfshaft failing, including a tire seizing and separating from the axle at around 30 mph.
  • A few complaints describe the vehicle rolling forward even after the gear shift was placed in park.
  • Owners note the problem is intermittent, resolving temporarily after the vehicle is shut off and restarted, only to recur days or weeks later.

When 2013 Ford Taurus transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 22, 2013, latest Dec 22, 2025.

2013 Ford Taurus transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2013Mar 2016Mar 2017Oct 2017Mar 2019Nov 2019Jul 2022
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Dec 2025; peak Aug 2016 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Ford Taurus

  1. NHTSA 14V393000Jul 2, 2014Transmission & Powertrain83,250 vehicles

    Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

    Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Taurus model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005123 (16%)
  2. 200632 (10%)
  3. 200716 (11%)
  4. 200844 (25%)
  5. 20095 (8%)
  6. 201036 (18%)
  7. 201118 (10%)
  8. 20122 (3%)
  9. 201344 (8%)
  10. 201412 (5%)
  11. 201518 (7%)
  12. 20163 (4%)
  13. 20171 (2%)
  14. 20187 (14%)
  15. 20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission & powertrain complaints does the 2013 Ford Taurus have?
NHTSA lists 44 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2013 Ford Taurus, making up 8% of the 584 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission or powertrain recall for the 2013 Ford Taurus?
Yes. Recall 14V393000, reported July 2, 2014, covers halfshaft retention on 2013-2014 Ford Taurus vehicles. Dealers inspect to make sure the halfshaft is properly retained.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2013 Taurus?
The median mileage at failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2013 Taurus is 72,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Did the transmission issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2013 Taurus records 1 crash and 4 injuries, with no reported fires.
Is the 2013 Taurus worse than other years for this problem?
The 2013 Taurus's 8% share of complaints in this area is lower than the 2010 model year's 18% but higher than 2012's 3%, 2014's 5%, and several later years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.