Ford Taurus 2010–2019
6th generation (D3/D4)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,260 complaints, 1,598 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 13 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,783
- 25%
- 33,000
- Median
- 70,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 135 | 8.4% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 70 | 4.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 44 | 2.8% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 39 | 2.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 29 | 1.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 45 | 2.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 50 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 36 | 2.3% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 44 | 2.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 51 | 3.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 62 | 3.9% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 56 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 77 | 4.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 60 | 3.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 69 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 57 | 3.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 73 | 4.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 79 | 4.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 60 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 49 | 3.1% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 65 | 4.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 39 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 43 | 2.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 25 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 46 | 2.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 30 | 1.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 32 | 2.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 19 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 21 | 1.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 23 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 15 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 13 | 0.8% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,260 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2019 Ford Taurus, and 1,598 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 100,000 miles. The median is 70,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (22.3% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the fuel and propulsion system (10.0% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the engine (9.9% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
19 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Steering90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 62,000 to 120,000
- Fuel and propulsion system80,000median 79,500 miles, middle half 59,000 to 98,000
- Engine66,000median 66,000 miles, middle half 33,000 to 92,000
- Electrical system64,000median 63,965 miles, middle half 25,000 to 93,000
- Problems owners could not categorise48,000median 48,000 miles, middle half 19,000 to 86,000
- Transmission and driveline45,000median 44,830 miles, middle half 10,000 to 85,000
- Reversing camera and sensors79,000median 79,488 miles, middle half 50,000 to 111,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 504 | 22.3% | 90,000 | 62,000–120,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 225 | 10.0% | 80,000 | 59,000–98,000 |
| Engine | 224 | 9.9% | 66,000 | 33,000–92,000 |
| Electrical system | 223 | 9.9% | 64,000 | 25,000–93,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 162 | 7.2% | 48,000 | 19,000–86,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 140 | 6.2% | 45,000 | 10,000–85,000 |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 111 | 4.9% | 79,000 | 50,000–111,000 |
| Body structure | 84 | 3.7% | 58,000 | 15,000–97,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 81 | 3.6% | 38,000 | 9,000–64,000 |
| Suspension | 68 | 3.0% | 84,000 | 44,000–126,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 22.3% of complaints (504 reports, 377 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 61,900 and 120,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 10.0% of complaints (225 reports, 175 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 98,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 9.9% of complaints (224 reports, 173 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 33,000 and 92,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (223 reports, 142 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,965 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 93,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.2% of complaints (162 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 19,000 and 86,250 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.2% of complaints (140 reports, 112 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 44,830 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,800 and 85,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 753 complaints — while 2017 drew the fewest at 53. The median year sits at 251.
That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 3.0 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 19 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (5), body structure (2), the transmission and driveline (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,260 complaints filed against this generation, 130 reported a crash; 26 reported a fire; 139 reported an injury; 7 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 5.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 33,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the fuel and propulsion system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The fuel and propulsion system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 79,500, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine (3.5l Ecoboost) 2010–2019
Internal chain-driven water pump failure dumps coolant directly into the crankcase; the pump is buried in the front of the engine so replacement is an engine-out-scale job. Affects the SHO's 3.5L EcoBoost.
Engine (direct Injection) 2010–2019
Intake valve carbon buildup on the direct-injected EcoBoost engines causing misfire and rough running, since no port fuel wash cleans the valves.
Doors 2013–2016
Door latch pawl spring tab fractures, allowing a door to appear closed but open while driving; subject of a large Ford recall covering 2013-2016 Taurus among other models.
Infotainment 2011–2015
MyFord Touch system freezes, reboots and loses climate/audio control; a very high complaint category for 2011-2015 cars.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 280 | 231 |
| 2011 | 251 | 185 |
| 2012 | 100 | 69 |
| 2013 | 753 | 538 |
| 2014 | 296 | 211 |
| 2015 | 345 | 233 |
| 2016 | 103 | 58 |
| 2017 | 53 | 28 |
| 2018 | 63 | 37 |
| 2019 | 16 | 8 |
Recalls (19)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V611000 | 2026-02-20 | Structure:exterior Trim |
| 25V695000 | 2026-01-02 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 20V692000 | 2021-02-02 | Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft |
| 20V072000 | 2020-10-28 | Suspension:rear |
| 18V141000 | 2018-05-11 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 17V530000 | 2017-09-13 | Steering |
| 16V925000 | 2017-01-31 | Engine and Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger |
| 16V621000 | 2016-12-01 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 16V247000 | 2016-06-09 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 15V812000 | 2015-12-21 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| 15V605000 | 2015-10-19 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting |
| 15V464000 | 2015-09-04 | Parking Brake |
| 15V340000 | 2015-07-21 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 15V040000 | 2015-03-23 | Structure:body:door |
| 14V393000 | 2014-08-04 | Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft |
| 14V285000 | 2014-07-26 | Exterior Lighting |
| 13V270000 | 2013-08-02 | Latches/Locks/Linkages |
| 13V227000 | 2013-07-20 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| 13V109000 | 2013-05-09 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly |
What owners reported
My 2010 Ford Taurus front driver door first felt like the door handle was sprung. It did that for a week or two. Then next thing i know i can't open the door with the handle on the inside of a door! I have to lower window, unlock the car, open handle from outside. Then raise drivers window, get out of car and then…
2010 · Problems owners could not categorise
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus sho. The contact stated that intermittently, the vehicle would lose power abnormally. The vehicle would not stall but loose power for a few moments before independently regaining power. The dealer inspected the vehicle several times but was unable to locate or duplicate the…
2010 · 24 miles · Engine and its cooling system
I have problems with brake and transmission passes the changes and gives a hit. The brake is going to the bottom and makes noise, on occasion gets hard the pedal and no brakes,i was talking to a person who has a Ford edge 2010 and it passed the same, the person called to Ford and had a recall and Ford fixed it, i…
2010 · 30 miles · Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shifted into a lower gear independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer thirteen times for diagnostic testing however, the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The technician replaced the throttle body but the…
2010 · 50 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 1,598 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page