Ford Taurus Reliability and Common Problems

There’s a lot to love about the Ford Taurus一it has great gas mileage, an impressive resale value, reasonable ownership costs, and more. MotorAsk also listed it as one of the top passenger cars that can last for over 200,000 miles. Unfortunately, even a model as dependable as the Taurus can have damaged or worn-out parts that could affect its drivability and ride comfort. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems found across its different model years to know what repairs it may need in the future.

Are Ford Taurus Reliable?

The Ford Taurus received above-average scores across all major reliability ratings. RepairPal gives it a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 6th out of 12 full-size cars. Moreover, its average annual repair cost is $697, which is slightly higher than the usual $590.

The frequency of unscheduled repairs for the Taurus is lower than its competitors. It only requires repair shop visits at an average of 0.2 times a year compared to the usual 0.3. The severity of repairs for the Taurus is also lower than other full-size cars, with an 11% probability of needing a major fix compared to the average 13%.

Top Ford Taurus Problems

The Ford Taurus may be a crowd favorite in the full-size passenger car segment, but that doesn’t mean it’s issue-free. Here are some of the model’s most common problems found across various model years:

Cracked Windshield and Defective Wipers

Many owners of the 2014 Taurus redesign have reported that their windshield cracked under cold temperatures. Drivers of the affected models had to replace their windshield multiple times after hearing popping noises from under the seal. Some have also reported having wipers that won’t turn off and stay on the lowest setting due to a defective multiswitch.

Gasket Leaks

Some 1990-2007, 2012, and 2014 Taurus have been reported to have oil leaks caused by a faulty engine oil pan gasket. Some drivers have also noticed a burning smell coming from the engine because of this problem. Keep in mind that gasket leaks can cause oil to seep into the exhaust system, which may cause the vehicle to stall or idle roughly. A replacement oil pan gasket, which usually resolves this issue, can cost anywhere between $15 and $50 plus labor costs.

Engine Problems

Some 2013 Ford Taurus redesigns have been reported to have a couple of engine problems. The owners of the affected models have reported that their vehicles would stall or lose acceleration for a couple of minutes due to a faulty electronic throttle body. The cost of replacing the throttle body can range anywhere between $200 and $800 plus labor costs. Other engine-related problems reported by some owners of this model year include a shuttering engine, an engine that cranks but won’t start, engine fire, and valve cover leaks.

Many owners of 1992-2011 Taurus redesigns have also complained about frequent engine misfires. More often than not, an intermittent fault with the camshaft synchronizer assembly causes their vehicle’s engine to misfire while they’re driving at freeway speeds.

Affected vehicles would chug and jerk when accelerating. They would also sometimes act like the engine isn’t getting enough fuel. Most drivers were able to resolve the issue with an aftermarket camshaft synchronizer, which typically costs anywhere between $80 and $160 plus labor costs.

A faulty idle air bypass valve in some 1990, 1994, 1997-1998, 2000-2005, 2007, 2012, and 2014 Taurus redesigns have been causing engines to stall at idle or hesitate upon acceleration. They also heard clicking noises under the hood after shutting the engine off.

Malfunctioning Automatic Headlights

There have been several reports of malfunctioning automatic headlights in many 1998, 2001-2004, and 2008-2013 Taurus redesigns. Owners of affected vehicles report having to turn on the headlights manually, as their light sensors were only able to activate the parking lights. This issue is typically caused by a faulty sunload sensor, light switch, or smart junction box (SJB). If you’re dealing with the same problem, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle checked by a certified mechanic for a proper diagnosis.

White Smoke Emissions

Some 1990-1994, 1997-1998, 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2013 Ford Taurus have been reported to emit white smoke from the exhaust due to a blown head gasket or a cracked cylinder head. The owners of the affected vehicles report needing to frequently top up on coolant, as their engines would frequently overheat.

Most owners were able to fix the problem using a head gasket set, which can cost anywhere between $100 and $300. Others had to replace their vehicle’s cylinder heads, which cost around $300 to $600 plus labor costs.

Longer Crank Time

Owners of some 1995-2010 Ford Taurus have reported experiencing longer crank times because of a faulty camshaft position sensor magnet. Some of them heard squealing noises when starting and accelerating their vehicles, while others complained about a slipping transmission because the magnet damaged the synchronizers. To resolve these issues, experts recommend replacing both the magnet and synchronizers.

Transmission Failure

Transmission failure is the most common 2003-2005 Ford Taurus problem. Many drivers have reported that their vehicle can’t accelerate and engage in any gear due to a busted transmission that went out without any warning. Some have also reported having stripped torque converter splines and a broken transmission shaft despite having less than 100,000 miles on their odometer.

Several factors may contribute to transmission failure, such as low transmission fluid levels, contaminated fluids due to poor maintenance, internal wear and tear of transmission parts, and worn clutches.

As reliable as the Ford Taurus is, issues are bound to arise and affect its performance over time. So it’s important to keep an eye out for the most common problems related to the model year you own or are planning to buy. By doing so, you’ll know what parts you’ll need to replace to prevent costly repairs.

Where to Get Replacement Parts for Your Ford Taurus

If you want to keep driving your Ford Taurus for a long time, you’ll have to resolve issues as soon as they pop up. A cracked windshield, a damaged throttle body, and gasket leaks are likely to interfere with other systems and make your Ford Taurus unreliable. Luckily, you can easily fix these issues by ordering replacement parts from CarParts.com.

CarParts.com offers a wide selection of windshields, oil pan gaskets, throttle bodies, and other Ford Taurus parts, all sourced from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. For easier browsing, make sure to use our vehicle selector and search filters, so you can browse through parts that are compatible with your ride. If you’re itching to get back on the road, don’t worry because CarParts.com also guarantees fast shipping. Order by 12 p.m. ET, and you can expect your package to arrive in as fast as two business days.

Don’t wait until your Ford Taurus breaks down before replacing defective parts. Check out our high-quality windshields, oil pan gaskets, throttle bodies, and other Ford Taurus parts at CarParts.com today!