The Lemon Index2004 Ford Taurus.
The 2004 Ford Taurus is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 63 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 28, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. It's the best Ford Taurus year we track.
One of the most reliable. 3.6× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2013
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 375 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Taurus year. 2004 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 60K to 130K miles on the car (315 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 70K–138K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 82K–131K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 50K–139K miles
Recalls 2
- brakes 2016
A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- seats 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
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 55 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine oil leaks from the filter area on vehicles with a 3.0l 2-valve engine
- Hesitation when accelerating or during transmission upshift
- Lower engine oil leaks 3.0l 2v vulcan engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedStuck throttle2012
- ClosedEngine stalling ffv2006–2007
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
Contact states: apparent failure of air bags to deploy. Consumer's wife and son rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, both front air bags disengaged but did not deploy. They charged but did not actually come out.
2004 Ford Taurus owner · NHTSA complaint 10119602
More owner reports
While making a left turn consumer's vehicle was struck in the front by a vehicle traveling at 55 mph. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer sustained injuries.
NHTSA complaint 10105333
Air bag light illuminated intermittently. As a result, air bags were inoperative and wouldn't deploy when needed, per dealership.
NHTSA complaint 10092037
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Ford Taurus reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 28; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Taurus year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Taurus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (16%), engine (13%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Taurus have?
2 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Taurus get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Taurus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 94,000 miles, from 315 complaints.
Does the 2004 Ford Taurus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Ford Taurus cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Ford Taurus have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Taurus year is better than the 2004?
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