The Lemon Index2000 Ford Taurus.
The 2000 Ford Taurus is about average by owner complaints: 468 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 111, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best Ford Taurus year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,191 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Taurus year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 99K miles on the car (615 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 55K–98K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–92K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 42K–78K miles
Recalls 8
- suspension 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPS…
- lights 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING.
- brakes 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION.
Show all 8 recalls
- visibility 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS.
- lights 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
- lights 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER SEDANS WITH FACTORY OR DEALER-INSTALLED DECK LID SPOILERS WITH LED CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMPS (CHMSL).
- equipment 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 180 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Slight hiss or vaccum leak type sound from the intake
- Slight hiss or vacuum leak type sound from the intake manifold /
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpeed control cable damage2012–2013
- ClosedRear coil spring fracture2006–2007
- ClosedRear coil spring fracture2005–2006
- ClosedFront suspension coil spring fracture2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The catalytic converter has been repaired twice and is out again. The abs brakes failed almost causing an accident.
2000 Ford Taurus owner · NHTSA complaint 763512
More owner reports
While driving down the road vehicle will shut off in the middle of the road. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced burned out starter. But can't duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 862553
While driving at highway speed applied brakes and without warning vehicle will vibrate violently. Dealer has been notified; however had not remedied the problem.
NHTSA complaint 8012780
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Ford Taurus reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 111; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Taurus year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2000 Ford Taurus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (15%), engine (13%) and lights (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Taurus have?
8 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ford Taurus get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Taurus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,500 and 99,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 615 complaints.
Does the 2000 Ford Taurus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Ford Taurus cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Ford Taurus have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Taurus year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works