2013 Ford Taurus reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 589 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Taurus over 14 years — 18 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 8 Taurus years on this site. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Rear, Fuel pump, and Fuel system, gasoline.

2010 Ford Taurus SE sedan — Photo by MercurySable99, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

589

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Steering (296 of 589), then Fuel and propulsion system (98) and Engine (70). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 84,500 miles, and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 114,189 miles. Those filings include 20 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 17 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Taurus has 78 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2014 has 235 complaints, 11 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Ford Taurus. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (9)

Recall suspension, rear 2020-02-10 · NHTSA campaign 20V072000

Summary 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.

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.

Vehicles affected 211,207

Recall Fuel pump 2016-08-25 · NHTSA campaign 16V621000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

Vehicles affected 77,502

Recall Fuel system, gasoline 2015-12-02 · NHTSA campaign 15V812000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Vehicles affected 868

Recall Electric power steering 2015-06-02 · NHTSA campaign 15V340000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Vehicles affected 393,623

Recall structure, body, door 2015-01-28 · NHTSA campaign 15V040000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Vehicles affected 194,889

Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2014-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 14V393000

Summary 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.

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.

Vehicles affected 83,250

Recall Exterior lighting 2014-05-29 · NHTSA campaign 14V285000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

Vehicles affected 183,425

Recall Latches, locks, and linkages 2013-06-26 · NHTSA campaign 13V270000

Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicles affected 12,569

Recall Fuel system, gasoline 2013-05-31 · NHTSA campaign 13V227000

Summary Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Vehicles affected 390,783

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (589 total)

Steering

296

Fuel and propulsion system

Engine

Electrical system

Powertrain

Suspension

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Speed control

Structure

Air bags

Fuel system, gasoline

Exterior lighting

Back-over prevention

Seat belts

Service brakes

Engine and engine cooling

Visibility and wipers

Wheels

Traction control

Seats

Equipment

Latches, locks, and linkages

Tires

Visibility

Show 16 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Of the 432 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 84,500 miles. The middle half fall between 60,000 and 114,189 miles.

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The power steering system is continually giving Power Steering Assist Failure and Service Advance Trac. The code U3000 was identified by Ford technician. This code is found in a Ford recall 15S18, my VIN is not included…"
Steering · filed 2026-08-20
"Mechanic told us while replacing the suspension that the steering rack has to be replaced."
Steering · filed 2026-08-19
"Back up camera goes upside down or unavailable."
Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-10
"The car regularly starts without pressing the brake down first. The car has they key but says no key detected and drives with or without it. This is a push start ignition car."
Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-10
"The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the electric power steering suddenly failed without prior warning. The steering pulled sharply to the right, but the driver managed…"
Steering · filed 2026-07-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 Ford Taurus 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 Ford Taurus 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Taurus all-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3100
Taurus all-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$3250
Taurus all-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3100
Taurus front-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	19	28	22 MPG	$2950
Taurus front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	22	31	25 MPG	$2600
Taurus front-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	19	28	22 MPG	$2950

Specs and fitment

6th generation, 2010–2019

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)

Towing capacity 1,000 lbs

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.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Ford Taurus Next year 2014 Ford Taurus See every Ford Taurus model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford Taurus reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 Ford Taurus?

Is the 2013 Ford Taurus more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Taurus has 78 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2014 has 235 complaints, 11 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Ford Taurus been recalled?

The 2013 Ford Taurus has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Ford Taurus?

Owners have filed 589 complaints about the 2013 Ford Taurus with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Ford Taurus get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Ford Taurus is 21.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

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.