Ford Taurus years to avoid and best years
Newer Ford Taurus years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 18 (589 complaints). 2013 through 2015 are in that same range. From 2016 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 1 (from 15 complaints), 2018 at 2 (from 49 complaints), and 2016 at 3 (from 81 complaints). On the 2013 Ford Taurus, 248 of 589 complaints name Steering.
Data as of .
Ford Taurus reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Ford Taurus. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 → Fewest | 1 | 15 | 2 | Back-over prevention | 19.8 |
| 2018 → Fewest | 2 | 49 | 4 | Back-over prevention | 19.8 |
| 2017 → | 4 | 44 | 4 | Electrical system | 20.3 |
| 2016 → Fewest | 3 | 81 | 4 | Back-over prevention | 20.3 |
| 2015 → | 12 | 277 | 6 | Back-over prevention | 22.3 |
| 2014 → | 11 | 235 | 5 | Steering | 22.3 |
| 2013 → Most | 18 | 589 | 9 | Steering | 21.8 |
| 2012 → | 6 | 78 | 5 | Structure | 20.8 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Sedan
- Oil
- 5W-20 (3.5L, most trims); 5W-30 (2.0L EcoBoost; 3.5L EcoBoost SHO) · 6 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/60R17 (SE), 235/55R18 or 255/45R19 (SEL), 255/45R19 or 245/45R20 (Limited), 245/45R20 (SHO)
Known issues for this generation
2011-2013 Taurus sedans built between September 7, 2010 and February 28, 2012 are covered by Ford's 2015 nationwide electric power-assist steering (EPAS) recall, NHTSA campaign 15V-340 (Ford reference 15S18); among 2011 and 2012 cars only those with the 3.5L GTDI engine are included, while all 2013 cars in the build range are. A motor position sensor encoder fault could remove power steering assist, sharply increasing steering effort, though Ford reported that drivers are informed of the change in steering system status by an audible chime and a power steering assist fault message in the instrument cluster. Ford's no-charge remedy had dealers check the power steering control module for diagnostic trouble codes: cars with no loss-of-assist codes received a module software update, and cars with those codes had the steering gear replaced. Ford also extended coverage so that an owner whose car received the software update and later loses power steering assist can have the steering gear replaced within 10 years of the warranty start date or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2019 at 1 (from 15 complaints), 2018 at 2 (from 49 complaints), and 2016 at 3 (from 81 complaints).
Which Ford Taurus year has the most owner complaints?
2013 has the most complaints per year, at 18 (589 complaints). 2013 through 2015 are in that same range. On the 2013 Ford Taurus, 248 of 589 complaints name Steering.
How do Ford Taurus owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Ford Taurus years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2016 on, complaints per year fall.
What generation is the 2016 Ford Taurus?
6th generation (2010-2019), the last Taurus generation sold in the US.
Can a Ford Taurus tow a trailer?
Most 2010-2019 Taurus trims are rated for up to 1,000 lbs per Ford's official towing guide; the high-performance SHO trim is not rated for trailer towing.