Ford Taurus Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Taurus model year (2000–2019) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Taurus Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 894 complaints
31 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Problem score: 962
6 recalls · 766 complaints
47 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Problem score: 878
8 recalls · 651 complaints
70 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Problem score: 825
Best Ford Taurus Years to Buy
1 recall · 7 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 12
2 recalls · 29 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 37
0 recalls · 42 complaints
Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 48
Found the right year? Verify that specific Taurus with a free VIN report.
Ford Taurus — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 3 | 40 | 12 | — | 73 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 29 | 1 | — | 37 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 2 | 44 | 7 | — | 64 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 3 | 181 | 5 | — | 200 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 140 | 2 | — | 153 | Good |
| 2013 | 6 | 398 | 11 | — | 438 | Caution |
| 2012 | 2 | 56 | — | — | 62 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 1 | 136 | 10 | 1 | 164 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 122 | 24 | 6 | 203 | Good |
| 2009 | 0 | 42 | 3 | — | 48 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 120 | 9 | — | 141 | Good |
| 2007 | 1 | 80 | 6 | — | 95 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 2 | 187 | 4 | 1 | 206 | Good |
| 2005 | 1 | 523 | 16 | 2 | 568 | Caution |
| 2004 | 2 | 236 | 17 | 1 | 281 | Good |
| 2003 | 3 | 738 | 33 | 1 | 818 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 2 | 894 | 31 | — | 962 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 8 | 651 | 70 | 2 | 825 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 6 | 766 | 47 | — | 878 | Avoid |
All 20 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Taurus Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2019Recent Taurus models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2019 stands out with just 12 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Taurus units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Taurus models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Taurus should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2002 Ford Taurus if possible. It has 2 recalls, 894 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 962 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Taurus to buy?+
The 2019 Ford Taurus is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 12. It has only 1 recall and 7 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Taurus has the fewest problems?+
The 2019, 2017, 2009 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Taurus Research
Check a Specific Ford Taurus VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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