The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Taurus · 2006

2006 Ford Taurus. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index38100 = average car
Complaints47NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold174,803U.S. model year
Per 100K sold27complaints
Year rank#4 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.0L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 25 / 20Regular$3,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 66,000 and 120,000 miles. Median 86,000, from 272 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Speed control91,00073,000–124,000155
Transmission & drivetrain87,00066,800–118,00028
Electrical82,00053,300–119,20022
Engine113,00078,400–131,20022
Airbags72,00039,000–95,00019

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Body structure19%
Airbags13%
Speed control13%
Transmission & drivetrain11%
Brakes11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
318194815

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 16E026000 Apr 2016 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc / Pads

    Defect. Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shi

    Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

  • 06V119000 Apr 2006 Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'

    Risk. THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.

    Remedy. THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.

  • 05V520000 Nov 2005 Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Motor

    Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

    Risk. AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

    Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedStuck throttle20122012

Manufacturer communications 13

Ford filed 13 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • No start/hard start/rough running during cold weather - incorrect seasonal fuel blend
  • Spark knock, hesitation above 3000 rpm, loss of power, misfire, and possible engine damage due…
  • The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200376194300,496Visibility
20042863248,148Airbags
20054262196,919Transmission & drivetrain
20063847174,803Body structure
2007363368,178Engine
2008844552,667Steering
20091043845,617Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data