The Lemon IndexFord Taurus.
The best Ford Taurus years are 2004, 2018, 2007. Years to avoid: 2013, 2015, 2000. Across 2010-2019, it has a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2018.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2004.
Quick answers.
Is the Ford Taurus a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2019: Lemon Index 81; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2004 and the worst is 2013.
What are the best Ford Taurus years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2004, 2018, 2007.
What Ford Taurus years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2013, 2015, 2000.
How many recalls does the Ford Taurus have?
78 safety recalls across the 19 model years we track. Most: 2001 (10), 2013 (9), 2000 (8). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Ford Taurus problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, brakes and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 111 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 468 | service brakes, hydraulic (15%) | 8 | — | 19–20 |
| 2001 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 323 | suspension (20%) | 10 | — | 19–20 |
| 2002 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 214 | suspension (16%) | 4 | — | 19–21 |
| 2003 | 76 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 194 | visibility (24%) | 4 | — | 19–21 |
| 2004 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 63 | airbags (16%) | 2 | — | 19–20 |
| 2005 | 42 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 62 | transmission & drivetrain (23%) | 1 | — | 19–20 |
| 2006 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 47 | body structure (19%) | 3 | — | 20 |
| 2007 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 33 | engine (42%) | 1 | — | 20 |
| 2008 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 45 | steering (29%) | 1 | — | 18–22 |
| 2009 | 104 | about average | 38 | engine (47%) | 0 | — | 18–21 |
| 2010 | 98 | about average | 74 | transmission & drivetrain (28%) | 3 | — | 20–22 |
| 2011 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 54 | electrical (22%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 20–22 |
| 2012 | 51 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 37 | body structure (35%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 20–22 |
| 2013 | 117 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 99 | fuel or EV drive system (24%) | 9 | ★★★★★ | 20–25 |
| 2014 | 88 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 57 | fuel or EV drive system (18%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 20–26 |
| 2015 | 116 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 50 | engine (30%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 20–26 |
| 2016 | 39 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 14 | engine (36%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 19–23 |
| 2017 | 40 | 2.5× fewer complaints than average | 14 | electrical (43%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 19–23 |
| 2018 | 29 | 3.4× fewer complaints than average | 9 | suspension (22%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 19–21 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data