2018 Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#7 most-complained of 10 Taurus years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2018 Ford Taurus has 49 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 33, and ranks 7th worst of 10 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Taurus years. It has 4 recalls, with the top complaint area being Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
- Complaints
- 49
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
Top 2018 Ford Taurus problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (24%)
- Structure & Body11 (22%)
- Other9 (18%)
- Electrical System8 (16%)
- Engine7 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (14%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
What owners report
- Rear suspension toe links reportedly fractured, causing loss of control when the brake pedal was applied at various speeds.
- Owners describe B-pillar door trim detaching while driving at freeway speeds, leaving sharp trim exposed.
- Some owners report headlights failing to illuminate properly at various speeds, with dealers unable to duplicate the fault.
- One owner reported the transmission, brakes, steering, and engine becoming inoperable while driving up a ramp at 65 mph, leading to a crash.
- A rear lateral arm and ball joint reportedly broke on a rear wheel while driving, causing the car to spin.
- One owner reported an engine fire that started after the vehicle was left with an independent mechanic for an oil change, possibly originating from the battery.
2018 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.
2018 Ford Taurus fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2018 compared with other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Ford Taurus reliable?
- Relative to other Taurus model years, the 2018 is rated "Good," with a Complaint Index of 33 and 49 NHTSA complaints, ranking 7th worst out of 10 model years.
- What problems does the 2018 Ford Taurus have?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Taurus are led by Collision Avoidance & Cameras (24% of complaints), followed by Structure & Body (22%) and Electrical System (16%). Median mileage at failure across complaints is 56,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Taurus, covering the rearview camera, B-pillar door trim, rear suspension toe links, and the mechanical key ignition shifter assembly.
- How does the 2018 Taurus compare to other years?
- The 2018 Taurus, with a Complaint Index of 33, is better than years like 2010 (89), 2013 (100), and 2015 (78), but has more reported complaints than 2017 (11) and 2019 (0).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Ford Taurus?
- EPA rates the 2018 Taurus at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400.