VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Ford Taurus2000–2019
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Ford Taurus
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Ford Taurus Years to Avoid
1 recall · 894 complaints
31 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
4 recalls · 766 complaints
47 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
2 recalls · 738 complaints
33 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 16 past investigations into the Taurus became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 30, 2026.
Ford Taurus — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | 84 | 84 | 84 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 40 | 12 | — | 74 | 78 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 29 | 1 | — | 84 | 71 | 79 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 2 | 44 | 7 | — | 76 | 64 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 181 | 5 | — | 59 | 57 | 58 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 140 | 2 | — | 59 | 51 | 56 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 398 | 11 | — | 59 | 46 | 54 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 56 | — | — | 76 | 42 | 64 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 2 | 136 | 10 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 122 | 24 | 6 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2009 | 0 | 42 | 3 | — | 80 | 39 | 66 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 120 | 9 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2007 | 0 | 80 | 6 | — | 68 | 39 | 58 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 2 | 187 | 4 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2005 | 0 | 523 | 16 | 2 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
| 2004 | 0 | 236 | 17 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2003 | 2 | 738 | 33 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 1 | 894 | 31 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 3 | 651 | 70 | 2 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 4 | 766 | 47 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Ford Taurus Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Taurus compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2019 (Buyer Score 84).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 79).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Taurus to buy?+
The 2019 Ford Taurus scores highest on our Buyer Score (84/100) — combining a reliability score of 84/100 with a value score of 84/100. It has 1 recall and 7 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Taurus years have the most problems?+
The 2002, 2000, 2003 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2002 Taurus leads with 1 recalls and 894 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Taurus problems?+
The most frequently reported Ford Taurus issues involve: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, STEERING, SUSPENSION:FRONT. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.