Ford Taurus Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 1,312 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Ford Taurus across 25 model years. The 1995 model year has the most (352). The words owners use most often: “head gasket” (10% of reports).
- 1,312engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Head gasket: mentioned in 137 of 1,312 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Ford Taurus at $1,850, and half of them between $950 and $5,350.
Based on 62 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 419 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,312 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 62 a fire, 20 an injury.
Ford Taurus engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 2 | 11% | 81,000 |
| 2018 Taurus | 4 | 8% | 105,000 |
| 2017 Taurus | 1 | 2% | 17,000 |
| 2016 Taurus | 2 | 2% | 52,250 |
| 2015 Taurus | 2 | 1% | 300 |
| 2014 Taurus | 6 | 3% | 88,000 |
| 2013 Taurus | 7 | 1% | 83,500 |
| 2012 Taurus | 2 | 3% | 11,225 |
| 2011 Taurus | 9 | 5% | 15,560 |
| 2010 Taurus | 11 | 5% | 6,700 |
| 2009 Taurus | 18 | 28% | 4,000 |
| 2008 Taurus | 11 | 6% | 46,000 |
| 2007 Taurus | 22 | 15% | 42,753 |
| 2006 Taurus | 19 | 6% | 74,000 |
| 2005 Taurus | 40 | 5% | 72,000 |
| 2004 Taurus | 19 | 5% | 73,750 |
| 2003 Taurus | 67 | 5% | 73,000 |
| 2002 Taurus | 53 | 4% | 57,600 |
| 2001 Taurus | 60 | 6% | 74,328 |
| 2000 Taurus | 103 | 9% | 71,000 |
| 1999 Taurus | 81 | 9% | 65,168 |
| 1998 Taurus | 62 | 11% | 95,000 |
| 1997 Taurus | 145 | 19% | 87,734 |
| 1996 Taurus | 214 | 26% | 80,180 |
| 1995 Taurus | 352 | 29% | 76,950 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Model years: 2016
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Risk: This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1995
Problem: Vehicle description: taurus/sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l and 3.8l engines and mustang vehicles with 3.8l and 5.0l engines. It is possible for the engine cooling fan bearing to seize.
Risk: Should this occur, excessive heat could be generated which could melt the fan motor electrical connector. Components inside the cooling fan motor could ignite potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cooling fan assembly and install a circuit breaker. If the cooling fan is inoperative, the fan and motor assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began december 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 1995
Problem: These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l engines and 1992-1994 lincoln continental vehicles with 3.8l engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.
Risk: This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. Additionally, the message "Key Not Detected" was displayed while the fob key was inside the vehicle, and the rearview camera displayed a blank image while…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at the independent mechanic for the oil change. While riding the bus, on the way home they mechanic called the contact to inform them that the vehicle had caught fire and the engine had burned while in their parking…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a significant puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon checking the fluid reservoirs, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the message "Engine Overheated" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, added coolant to the vehicle, and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Tauruss have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,312 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Ford Taurus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Taurus engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Ford Taurus?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,850 (half paid between $950 and $5,350), from 62 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Ford Taurus?
The most frequent phrase is “head gasket”, in 137 of 1,312 complaints.
Other Ford Taurus problems
- Suspension problems (2,734)
- Power Train problems (1,895)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,800)
- Steering problems (995)
- Electrical System problems (888)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (683)
- Visibility problems (643)
- Air Bags problems (615)
See all Ford Taurus problems.