2013 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 585 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Taurus years
More complaints than other years 10th of 25 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 585 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Taurus. That ranks 10th out of 25 Taurus model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (295 complaints, 50%), typically at around 95,000 miles. Complaints mention 20 crashes, 6 fires, 25 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year.

Ford Taurus
Ingot Silver Ford Taurus 2.0L Ecoboost Limited D568 Facelift sedan.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Ford Taurus problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering295 · ~95,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System96 · ~80,000 mi
Engine70 · ~70,000 mi
Electrical System59 · ~75,500 mi
Power Train44 · ~72,000 mi
Unknown or Other38 · ~73,000 mi
Suspension25 · ~109,020 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)18 · ~83,156 mi
Vehicle Speed Control18 · ~62,214 mi
Structure12 · ~68,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering problems29550%95,000“steering assist” (31%)$2,750
Fuel/propulsion System problems9616%80,000“fuel pump” (34%)—
Engine problems7012%70,000“water pump” (16%)—
Electrical System problems5910%75,500——
Power Train448%72,000——
Unknown or Other386%73,000——
Suspension254%109,020——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)183%83,156——
Vehicle Speed Control183%62,214——
Structure122%68,000——
Air Bags112%41,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline112%87,626——
Back Over Prevention92%111,500——
Exterior Lighting92%12,161——
Service Brakes81%56,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling71%83,500——
Seat Belts71%64,500——
Visibility/wiper61%70,000——
Wheels51%89,500——
Traction Control System31%135,500——
Seats20%85,000——
Equipment10%4,000——
Latches/locks/linkages10%225,000——
Tires10%10,000——
Visibility10%1,740——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 89 complaints
2012: 3201232013: 11112014: 132014132015: 26262016: 462016462017: 61612018: 732018732019: 89892020: 652020652021: 45452022: 312022312023: 34342024: 462024462025: 29292026: 13202613

n = 585 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Ford Taurus recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:rearFeb 10, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V072000 · 211,207 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpAug 25, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V621000 · 77,502 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 2, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V812000 · 868 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Steering:electric power assist systemJun 2, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · 393,623 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

Structure:body:doorJan 28, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V040000 · 194,889 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Power train:axle assembly:axle shaftJul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V393000 · 83,250 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 29, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V285000 · 183,425 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkagesJun 26, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V270000 · 12,569 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 31, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V227000 · 390,783 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle warranty consda domla Vehicle was left new Battery salf failure Washer pump soco failure ranso 2503 miles and it diplo isvrecancy

Electrical System · received Oct 12, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770724

Malicious use of AI. Vehicle was shut down in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the road, right on the crest of a hill, just around a curve in the middle of the night, at approximately 12:00 AM. I had to wait for about 5.5 hrs for a tow truck.

Electrical System · received Sep 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766416

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 in this recall. The power steering quits working while the car is driving. The…

Steering · received Aug 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758184

Mechanic told us while replacing the suspension that the steering rack has to be replaced.

Steering · received Aug 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758037

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 · received Jul 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11749567

Other Ford Taurus years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Taurus?

Owners most often report steering, fuel/propulsion system, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 295 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Ford Taurus?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Ford Taurus a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Taurus model years, the 2013 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.