2016 Ford Taurus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Ford Taurus has a complaint index of 29, ranking 11th worst out of 15 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 81 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with camera/collision-avoidance issues being the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #11 of 15 Taurus years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 81
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Ford Taurus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras26 (32%)
- Engine14 (17%)
- Other14 (17%)
- Steering9 (11%)
- Electrical System7 (9%)
- Fuel System7 (9%)
- Structure & Body7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (6%)
- Airbags4 (5%)
- Brakes4 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden acceleration loss at highway speed accompanied by check engine, airbag, and service warning lights.
- Several describe a strong rotten-egg or exhaust smell filling the cabin during hard acceleration.
- Owners report the power steering locking up at low speed, making the car very hard to steer.
- Some describe the rear passenger door slipping out of alignment and catching against the front door.
- One owner reported a cracked coolant tank found during scheduled maintenance, raising fire and engine-failure concerns.
- Owners describe the fuel system throwing multiple error codes and the car stalling while driving on the highway.
2016 Ford Taurus recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V695000Oct 13, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,448,655 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V611000Sep 12, 2025Structure & Body101,944 vehicles
Structure:exterior trim
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
- NHTSA 20V072000Feb 10, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires211,207 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
2016 Ford Taurus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 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.
2016 compared with other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford Taurus reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Taurus ranks 11th worst out of 15 model years with a complaint index of 29, earning a Good verdict relative to other Taurus years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Taurus?
- NHTSA data shows Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 32% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 17% and Steering complaints at 11%.
- Does the 2016 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Taurus, covering the rearview camera, B-pillar door trim, rear suspension toe links, and turbocharger oil supply tubes on the 3.5L GTDI engine. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Ford Taurus should I avoid?
- Among Taurus model years, 2013, 2005, 2010, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 86, and 79 respectively, all worse than the 2016 model's index of 29.
- What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2016 Ford Taurus?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 56,482.5 miles across complaints filed for the 2016 Taurus.