2017 Ford Taurus Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2017 Ford Taurus has a complaint index of 7, the best (rank 14 of 15) among Taurus model years, with 44 complaints and 4 recalls logged with NHTSA. Electrical System issues lead at 30% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 34,900 for that category.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 7/100
- #14 of 15 Taurus years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 44
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2017 Ford Taurus problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (30%)
- Other9 (20%)
- Structure & Body8 (18%)
- Engine5 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (7%)
- Steering3 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the ignition key could be removed from the mechanical shifter without the transmission being in park.
- Some describe instrument panel gauges that stay too dim to read during daytime driving.
- Several mention dashboard warning lights or gauge illumination taking about 30 seconds to come on.
- Owners describe steering that becomes stiff or resistant after long highway drives, then over-responds when force is applied.
- Some report the door keypad lock detaching from the driver's side door, especially after rain.
- A few describe sudden loss of acceleration on the highway, with engine power dropping to about 10 mph for over 15 seconds.
2017 Ford Taurus recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 18V141000Mar 1, 2018Electrical System2,100 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.
2017 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.
2017 compared with other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford Taurus reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2017 Taurus best among 15 model years, with a complaint index of 7 and only 44 complaints logged.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Ford Taurus?
- Electrical System issues account for 30% of complaints, including ignition key removal without the transmission in park and dim instrument panel lighting, with a median failure mileage of 34,900.
- Does the 2017 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Taurus, covering B-pillar door trim detachment, rear suspension toe links (Police Interceptor/SHO Performance Pack), the ignition key/shifter issue, and steering gear heat shield fasteners.
- How does the 2017 Taurus compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 7 and rank 14 of 15 years, the 2017 model is rated Best relative to other Taurus model years, alongside 2018 and 2019.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Ford Taurus?
- EPA rates the 2017 Taurus at 20 mpg combined (17.5 city/25.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,250.