The most-reported Taurus run is 1FAFP53265A (2005 builds) with 33 complaints, 10.6× the typical run. Suspension problems make up 20% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 5.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 77 recall campaigns for Taurus model years 1986–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Taurus has 4,740 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every Taurus complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FAFP53265A•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1FAFP53215A•••••• | 2005 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1FAFP53275A•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1FALP52U6TA•••••• | 1996 | 1 | — | |
| 1FALP52U7SA•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1FALP52U3VA•••••• | 1997 | 1 | — | |
| 1FALP52U5SG•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FALP52U2SG•••••• | 1995 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1FALP52UXSA•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1FALP52U2TA•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1FAFP53285A•••••• | 2005 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FAFP53245A•••••• | 2005 | — | — |
Each of the other 4,728 Taurus runs has 25 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 133 Taurus VINs so far, most often 2013, 2015, 2014 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Taurus the gap between build years is 4.5×: a 2005 car draws 5.9 complaints per run, a 2019 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 49 | 34 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 43 | 29 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 82 | 46 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 269 | 72 | 10 | |
| 2014 | 221 | 70 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 569 | 113 | 16 | |
| 2012 | 69 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 172 | 53 | 13 | |
| 2010 | 176 | 54 | 16 | |
| 2009 | 54 | 33 | 8 | |
| 2008 | 152 | 50 | 18 | |
| 2007 | 113 | 31 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 266 | 48 | 16 | |
| 2005 | 632 | 108 | 34 | |
| 2004 | 306 | 158 | 29 | |
| 2003 | 1014 | 270 | 46 | |
| 2002 | 1208 | 284 | 59 | |
| 2001 | 837 | 285 | 74 | |
| 2000 | 943 | 289 | 69 |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 5.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2019 at 1.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Ford Taurus owners report: Suspension, 2,578 of 14,689 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 39 | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 21 | 101 | |
| Power Train | 54 | 9 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 194 | 19 | |
| Electrical System | 16 | 192 | |
| Steering | 59 | 30 | |
| Service Brakes | 124 | 6 | |
| Structure | 22 | 9 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 77 recall campaigns on the Ford Taurus; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 98V323000 | Structure:frame And Members | 1986–1995 |
| 94E036000 | Suspension:front:shock Absorber | 1986–1994 |
| 16E026000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads | 2001–2007 |
| 92V065000 | Wheels | 1986–1992 |
| 20V072000 | Suspension:rear | 2013–2018 |
| 91V134000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 1986–1991 |
98V323000 was opened in 1998 on cars built from 1986: 12 years on the road before the recall.
The Taurus against its rivals
The Taurus draws 3.1 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Impala 5.4 and the Kia Cadenza 3.5. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 14,689 | 4,740 | 5.9% | |
| Chevrolet Impala | 8,481 | 1,566 | 5.7% | |
| Kia Cadenza | 209 | 60 | 3.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 14,689 reports on the Ford Taurus, 5.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Taurus | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 14,689 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 871 (5.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 415 (2.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 732 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 32 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Taurus share of that is 14,689 complaints over 4,740 runs, 1.3% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Taurus VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 14,689 NHTSA complaints from 4,740 Taurus runs and 77 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Taurus production run has the most complaints?
1FAFP53265A, a 2005 build, with 33 complaints. The typical Taurus run has 3.1.
Which Taurus years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 5.9 complaints per run and 2019 lightest at 1.3.
Does the Taurus get more complaints than the Chevrolet Impala?
No: 3.1 complaints per production run for the Taurus against 5.4 for the Chevrolet Impala.
How many Taurus complaints involve a crash?
5.9% of 14,689 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 415 involved a fire.
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