2000 Ford Taurus

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 1,195 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › rear › springs › coil springs. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

615 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs142
001
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs135
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission49
210
Vehicle Speed Control47
1124
Suspension › Rear46
101
Air Bags36
17016
Air Bags › Frontal34
31130
Suspension › Rear › Springs32
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline32
101
Suspension › Front30
100

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs04V332000
Filed Jul 15, 2004899,060 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch04V106000
Filed Mar 2, 2004938,789 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Risk. IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages02V266000
Filed Oct 2, 2002369,614 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor01V258000
Filed Aug 8, 20011,083,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Risk. LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch01V078000
Filed Mar 12, 2001157,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk. A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch01V075000
Filed Mar 12, 200174,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL BY A SUPPLIER, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB CAN FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Risk. THIS WOULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY FOR THE DRIVER TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights01V048000
Filed Feb 28, 200128,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER SEDANS WITH FACTORY OR DEALER-INSTALLED DECK LID SPOILERS WITH LED CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMPS (CHMSL). VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH SPOILERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2000; AND VEHICLES WITH SPOILERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1 THOROUGH DECEMBER 30, 2000. WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE START OR RUN POSITIONS AND THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS OPERATING, THE CHMSL CAN ILLUMINATE (AT REDUCED INTENSITY) EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ALSO, IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE MOVED FROM PARK WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE.

Risk. UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD, THE CHMSL SHALL BE ACTIVATED ONLY UPON APPPLICATION OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. ALSO, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, IF THE SHIFT LEVER CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER/RESISTOR ASSEMBLY AT THE SPOILER THAT PROVIDES AN ELECTRICAL RESISTOR TO GROUND AND CORRECTS THE CHMSL AND BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK CONDITIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Equipment › Other › Labels00V242000
Filed Aug 24, 2000167,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE "VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT" AND "DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITY" INFORMATION WAS NOT PRINTED ON THE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABELS AFFIXED TO THESE VEHICLES. ON AFFECTED SABLE SEDAN VEHICLES, THE "VEHICLES CAPACITY WEIGHT" (AND ALSO THE LUGGAGE LOAD) INFORMATION PRINTED ON THIS LABEL IS INCORRECT - SABLE WAGON LUGGAGE LOAD WAS INCORRECTLY USED FOR THE SABLE SEDAN. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LABEL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Risk. EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 20, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed May 6, 2024FL

Vehicle Has A Heavy Power Steering Fluid Leak!!! Will Be Taking It To The Shop To Diagnose The Concern!!! I Was Checking To See If There Were Any Campaigns Or Recalls Reported!!!

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 25, 2022IN

Someone pulled out in front of me as I was slowing down to make a left turn. I T-boned their vehicle while going 35mph, resulting in a total loss for my 2000 Ford Taurus. (This was in 2018 so it was not a new car). My driver steering wheel airbag DID NOT deploy. I was wearing my seat belt. I still have chest pains when I sneeze and cough, even 4 years later (in November 2022, at time of writing), and in the last year (2021) received a cortisone shot in my left shoulder. I was offered a neck brace in the ambulance and was prescribed an arm sling in the hospital. I was diagnosed with whiplash. I believe I was given pain medication. Someone from the NHTSA in Indiana contacted me and we spoke briefly about it that week, so this may have been previously reported to this agency. I only found out this week that the 2000 Ford Taurus had a history of airbag issues, which is why I bring this up now. I think the car has already been scrapped, so no chance of examination unfortunately. As above, my safety was in jeopardy. Had I been going faster, I could have died. (Apparently someone DID die from a faulty Taurus front airbag.) I, to this day, have chest pain down to my elbows when I sneeze or cough. My doctor says it's a musculoskeletal strain. Ford has not issued recalls for airbags. The vehicle was declared totaled on scene by the police officer and then towed by a towing service. The towing service said the undeployed airbag was "a ticking time bomb" and really unsafe to attempt to r

Power Train
Filed Jul 29, 2020210,000 milesNV

WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES & MY ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE UNTIL I RECOVER FROM THE TURN.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2020120,000 milesFL

IT PRESENTED A SERIES OF MISSED FIRED AND OVER HEATING ON THE ROAD , AFTER DRIVING AROUND 150 MILES , THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL AND IT LOSS POWER MAKE IT ON SAFE TO DRIVE . THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS ICED UP LIKE A FRIDGE AND LESS COOLING IN AN OVER WHOLE LOOK THE CAR NEED SAFETY CONTROL AND ALL OF THIS CAN CLEARLY SEEN ON THE CITY ROAD WAY .

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2019100,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO SHUT OFF, WHICH REQUIRED THE BATTERY CABLE TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE EVENT THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS, HIGH BEAMS, AND FOG LIGHTS SHORT OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 18, 201991,000 milesMT

JUNE 2018 PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET BY MY GRANDDAUGHTER, NO THERE NO SIGNS OF A COLLISION. IT WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 5, 201987,270 milesCA

PART OF THE ENGINE, TOP PORTION CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET NEAR MY RESIDENCE IN LANCASTER, CA. I NOTICED THE SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE UNSAFE AIRBAGS AND THEY SEEMED TO FEEL AS IF IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX MY AIRBAGS.

Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2017VA

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A BAD NOIZ IN THE MOTOR AND MY SUSPENSION IS BAD

Engine
Filed May 30, 2017127,500 milesNY

RETURNING FROM LAKE GEORGE WE EXPERIENCED A LOUD RATTLING ,SHAKING NOISE. WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE SPOT AND WERE TOWED TO SUPERIOR AUTO ON 19TH ST. IN BROOKLYN. AWAITING PART SEARCH!?!

Suspension
Filed May 9, 2017MD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS WERE BENT WITH EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE SPRING COILS AND STRUTS. THE DEALER FAILED TO INDICATE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 2, 2017198,023 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL ODOR HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH AT TIMES. ALSO THE TIRES SPIN WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 28, 2016202,000 milesOH

CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AT TIMES. GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BUT ENGINE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING FUEL. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS -- HITTING ACCELERATOR -- ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY "CATCH" AND LURCH FORWARD. SEEMS TO BE A THROTTLE PROBLEM, BUT FORD DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS. EVEN THOUGH CAR FALLS IN RECALL RANGE FOR 2000-2003 TAURUSES WITH "STICKY" THROTTLES (RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2013), DEALER SAYS IT IS "NOT ON RECALL LIST." OVER 450,000 VEHICLES ARE -- BUT APPARENTLY MINE IS NOT ONE OF THEM. SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ME. YOU'RE DRIVING IN A 55 MPH ZONE AN SUDDENLY YOUR CAR SLOWS TO 20 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THEN AFTER 20 SECONDS IT SUDDENLY TAKES OFF? NOT GOOD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 14, 2016PA

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH AND I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS GAINING SPEED. I THEN SHIFTED IN TO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR BEGAN TO REV TO 4K RPMS. MY THROTTLE HAD GOT STUCK. I TAPPED THE PEDAL AND GOT IT TO STOP. TURNED AROUND AND PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT HOME AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME PUSHING ME THROUGH A REDLIGHT.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 30, 2016200,000 milesIA

I CONTACTED FORD IN 2011 BECAUSE MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND EXPLODED. THEY WROTE ME A LETTER ASKING FOR RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD BOUGHT IT USED FROM REYNOLDS FORD IT HAD 1 OWNER. I DID HAVE IT FIXED BY PEOPLE NOT AT FORD AND OIL CHANGES NOT AT FORD . I BOUGTH A NEW CAR BUT THE FIRE WAS SCARY AND MY LIABILTY DOES NOT PAY FOR IT. I RECENTLY SAW ANOTHER CAR ON FACEBOOK IT LOOKED LIKE MY CAR IA SKED WHAT KIND OF CAR IS THAT THEY SAID A 2000 FORD TAURUS. I BLEIVE THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED WHEN I TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY I JUMPED OUT RIGHT AWAY OR I WOULD HAVE BURNED AND THANK GOD I HAD NO CHILDREN WITH ME. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU. PLEASE LET ALL OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS KNOW MY CAR HAD JUST HIT 200,000 MILES. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT. FORD SHOULD HAVE THE RECORDS OF THE PICTURES I SENT TO THEM. I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD I OULLED OVER FAST UNDID MY SEAT BELT AND GRAB MY PURSE AS SOON AS I DID THAT THE MOTOR EXPLODED AND WAS ON FIRE. WITNESS SAID THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THE FIREMAN WERE THERE PRETTY FAST AND THEY BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 23, 2016300,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE SUBFRAME THAT HELD THE TWO REAR TIRES WAS ALSO RUSTED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR TIRES MORE FREQUENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 20, 201676,000 milesCO

BROKEN SPEED CONTROL CABLE. BROKEN IN THE SAME PLACE AS PICTURED IN MANY ONLINE PHOTOS AS BEING RECALLED YET THE FORD DEALER SAYS THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED. SAME THING HAPPENED WITH A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK. DOES ANYONE RESEARCH THE RECALLS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETE. THE NHTSA IS NO BETTER THAN THE BBB. JUST A COMPLAINT BLOG.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 2016185,748 milesMO

MY 2000 FORD TAURUS SES IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING THE RADIO IS PLAYING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING.AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO SUDDENLY TURNS OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK.THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING AGAIN.AS BEFORE,WHILE I AM DRIVING THE RADIO GOES OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AGAIN AND THEY WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Feb 29, 201680,000 milesOH

TRANSMISSION COME AND GOES WHEN IT WANT TO ANY EQUIPMENT RECALLS ON 2000 FORD TAURUS

Power Train
Filed Feb 17, 2016161,000 milesKS

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AS IF IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING ABOUT TO HAPPEN TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SLIPPING OR ACTING UP PRIOR TO THIS. JUST GLAD THERE WAS NOT HEAVY TRAFFIC AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SCENARIO. AFTER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. WONDERING WHY FORD HAS NOT DOWN SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BOUGHT A FORD TAURUS BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A VERY SAFE CAR FOR A YOUNG DRIVER.

20 of 1,195 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201915200Routine
201849410Routine
201744400Routine
201681410Routine
2015275610Above average
2014229510Above average
2013583960Above average
201278530Routine
2011187421Fatalities reported
2010204352Fatalities reported
200964010Routine
2008175170Routine
2007149100Routine
2006318341Fatalities reported
20057741102Fatalities reported
20043752132Fatalities reported
20031,2234122Fatalities reported
20021,4264110High concern
20011,03710155Fatalities reported
2000 — this page1,1958251Fatalities reported
19998747164Fatalities reported
19985454144Fatalities reported
19977705124Fatalities reported
19968258121Fatalities reported
19951,2056542Fatalities reported
19949235233Fatalities reported
19931,5578493Fatalities reported
19926816212Fatalities reported
19916495210High concern
19903818230High concern

Compare every Taurus year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 15, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.