Ford Taurus Engine Problems
Owners have filed 434 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Ford Taurus across 25 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (70). The words owners use most often: “water pump” (12% of reports).
- 434engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $2,700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%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.
- Water pump: mentioned in 53 of 434 complaints (12%)
- Throttle body: mentioned in 27 of 434 complaints (6%)
- Control cable: mentioned in 24 of 434 complaints (6%)
- Stalled without: mentioned in 22 of 434 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Ford Taurus at $2,700, and half of them between $2,550 and $6,000.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), 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 problems happen?
Based on 353 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 434 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 21 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Taurus engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2018 Taurus | 3 | 6% | 993 |
| 2017 Taurus | 4 | 9% | 26,400 |
| 2016 Taurus | 12 | 14% | 45,000 |
| 2015 Taurus | 33 | 12% | 42,860 |
| 2014 Taurus | 16 | 7% | 81,289 |
| 2013 Taurus | 70 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2012 Taurus | 11 | 14% | 50,000 |
| 2011 Taurus | 40 | 21% | 80,950 |
| 2010 Taurus | 37 | 18% | 68,000 |
| 2009 Taurus | 6 | 9% | 80,600 |
| 2008 Taurus | 20 | 11% | 85,099 |
| 2007 Taurus | 7 | 5% | 120,000 |
| 2006 Taurus | 24 | 8% | 113,000 |
| 2005 Taurus | 68 | 9% | 107,000 |
| 2004 Taurus | 25 | 7% | 106,100 |
| 2003 Taurus | 23 | 2% | 95,423 |
| 2002 Taurus | 9 | 1% | 126,650 |
| 2001 Taurus | 6 | 1% | 101,000 |
| 2000 Taurus | 5 | 0% | 103,635 |
| 1999 Taurus | 2 | 0% | 174,500 |
| 1998 Taurus | 2 | 0% | 156,750 |
| 1997 Taurus | 5 | 1% | 153,000 |
| 1996 Taurus | 2 | 0% | 95,000 |
| 1995 Taurus | 3 | 0% | 101,784 |
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.
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.
Another water pump gone bad well before 150k miles! Over $2000 to fix!! I am a breast cancer patient and this is my only means of transportation. How the heck can it be over 2k for a water pump??? That is just unbelievable!! How can ford be well aware of a known issue yet, not step up and take…
The water pump failed on this engine. Prior to failure, there were no warning signs or alarms. . The only warning we received was a low oil level warning and once received, the engine was immediately shut off and towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated the engine has metal shaving in the oil and…
I seen that you are looking into the timing issues on Ford vehicles, My 2015 Taurus had its timing chain replaced just last Christmas 2025 that cost me over $6,000 to repair, I would not be even saying anything about this but my wifes 2014 Ford Edge did the same thing just 3 month before mine where…
Unknown
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Tauruss have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 434 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Ford Taurus?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,700 (half paid between $2,550 and $6,000), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Ford Taurus?
The most frequent phrase is “water pump”, in 53 of 434 complaints, followed by “throttle body” (27).
Other Ford Taurus problems
- Suspension problems (2,734)
- Power Train problems (1,895)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,800)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,312)
- Steering problems (995)
- Electrical System problems (888)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (683)
- Visibility problems (643)
See all Ford Taurus problems.