Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 3 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 3 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V247000 · Apr 2016

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Structure recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V040000 · Jan 2015

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Exterior lighting recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V285000 · May 2014

This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

204 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Read closely
86

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 6 mention a crash, 9 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 28transmission slipping 20unintended acceleration 11
A recent report: Unknown. Car was going 100 mph. Driver, my son , was killed in this car accident. This year make AND model is known for throttle acceleration issues with brake afail override non existent until later…
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Unknown. Car was going 100 mph. Driver, my son , was killed in this car accident. This year make AND model is known for throttle acceleration issues with brake afail override non existent until later models. Case number [XXX] sterling heights police department INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11666028 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
9

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2software faults 2
A recent report: 02/09/2016. I WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT. I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.I LOST ALL POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS. THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE SAID TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. THESE INSTRUCTIONS WOULD…
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02/09/2016. I WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT. I LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER.I LOST ALL POWER STEERING FUNCTIONS. THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE SAID TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. THESE INSTRUCTIONS WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. YOU CAN RESTART THE PUSH BUTTON START IN NEUTRAL ONLY BY USING THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRST. HAD I BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF TRAFFIC, A REAR END COLLISION COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A FORD DEALER TODAY ( 02/11/2016). THE REMEDY WAS TO CHANGE A RFA MODULE RELATED TO THE KEY FOBS. THE THEORY IS THIS : NO KEY RECOGNITION MEANS THE COMPUTER IS TELLING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THE FORD DEALER CAN'T EXPLAIN WHILE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT : ( I DRIVE WITH THE SAME KEY FOBS AT ALL TIMES). THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE SOLUTION. THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT FILED ON THE SAME VEHICLE. THE DATE OF LAST REPORT WAS 07/31/2011. NHTSA ID NUMBER 10416408. THE SOLUTION LAST TIME WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THE SOLUTIONS DO NOT MATCH. SO BASICALLY, FORD HAS NO ANSWER.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10825620 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
33

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

loss of braking 14premature wear 6
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated on its own at high speed without any warning, causing the vehicle to airborne and struck his…
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The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated on its own at high speed without any warning, causing the vehicle to airborne and struck his neighbor's home. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact's wife had severe injuries and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed but the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11498232 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
40

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 3 mention a crash.

loss of steering 36premature wear 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed…
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The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11614204 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 2software faults 1
A recent report: O2 System failed. System checked. The service light is still on. Agents assisted with inspecting. Dealership had the vehicle non-recall. Seat belt light appeared and Agent was contacted. System is…
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O2 System failed. System checked. The service light is still on. Agents assisted with inspecting. Dealership had the vehicle non-recall. Seat belt light appeared and Agent was contacted. System is collected for revisiting my claim.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11573851 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
18

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 2software faults 1
A recent report: While driving on the hwy my moonroof exploded. Which cldve caused a accident due to the shock and fear it caused from the very loud gunshot like sound when exploding out of no where..for reason that…
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While driving on the hwy my moonroof exploded. Which cldve caused a accident due to the shock and fear it caused from the very loud gunshot like sound when exploding out of no where..for reason that was done by myself..

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11531060 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 3software faults 1
A recent report: Unknown

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11749890 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 204 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 12 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 204 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (187). Of the 10 model years of the Ford Taurus we cover, the 2013 has the most (583). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.