Best and worst Ford Taurus years — which to avoid

Before buying one, most drivers wonder if the Taurus is a reliable car overall and whether there are any Ford Taurus years to avoid. Well, that’s what our experts are here for since we’ll go over the model years that are plagued by potential issues, and discuss the most commonly encountered problems as reported by previous owners.

It’s perfectly normal for a vehicle that’s been in production for such a long time to have some bad model years, and we’ll explore the NHTSA records on complaints and recalls to help you identify them. We’ll also explain the reasons behind such low reliability ratings for specific model years, as well as give you a tour of the best options on the market among used Taurus models.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Ford Taurus years

While evaluating the best and worst Ford Taurus years, our experts used a wide variety of sources of information for this particular model. To make sure this guide is trustworthy and that everything is double-checked and verified, we used records from prominent driving safety organizations like NHTSA and the Institute of Insurance Highway Safety for details on safety ratings and reliability per year.

This way, we were able to pinpoint the exact years when things went wrong for Taurus as a model and compare it with first-hand driving experiences and reviews of previous owners on CR, Edmunds, and KBB. Please note that we’ve mostly ranked and reviewed Taurus models from the third generation onward since there weren’t that many prominent issues with the model before the early 2000s:

Most common Ford Taurus problems

Ever since its inception, the Taurus was a pinnacle of quality in Ford’s vehicle lineup, and this remains the case even today. The most recent models are all pretty much within the premium segment and there’s even a sporty SHO version which makes a great “sleeper” car with its mighty high-output V8 engine.

We only have a few problematic years to discuss, and the common problems with these are leaking oil which was mostly caused by pan gasket cracks, and automatic transmission failure which was among the most expensive issues to repair.

1. Oil pan gasket leaks

One of the worst problems that could happen with a used Ford Taurus is if the car develops oil pan gasket leaks. Not only will it mean bad news for the engine since it may not be properly lubricated, but it also causes a fire risk in the presence of the hot exhaust pipe.

Moreover, the problem with a cracked pan gasket often occurred even before the car reached the 100,000-mile mark, which makes it the worst problem with the Taurus. The average cost of pan gasket replacement is around $400, but the consequences it may leave on your engine could be far worse.

2. Problems with the automatic transmission

While we are at the serious problems that the Ford Taurus had over the years, it’s crucial to mention the automatic transmission failures. These were reported by numerous drivers and there were over 150 NHTSA reports on transmission failure for the fourth-gen model.

Most drivers have reported complete transmission failure and struggle with the transmission system to shift through the gears. These were often accompanied by strange noises and shuddering coming from the transmission. Others reported symptoms of a bad torque converter and a jerking motion during gear shifts.

We’ve also found numerous reports of leaking transmission fluid and transmission slipping, so it’s better to simply avoid getting a Ford Taurus equipped with an automatic transmission.

3. Head gasket leaks

Another problem that you should keep in mind when getting a used Taurus is that some models struggled with head gasket cracks. If this happens, you may notice some symptoms of a blown head gasket that primarily include coolant leaks and it’s even possible for engine oil to mix up with the cooling liquid.

This leads to serious engine damage that can’t be easily repaired and we suggest you avoid the affected models. This issue was mostly expressed in the 1991, 1994, 1997, 2005, and 2011 models.

4. Problems with fuel tank assembly and fuel leaks

The last one among the serious issues that affected Ford Taurus models is the matter of improperly attached fuel tanks. The manufacturer acknowledged this issue, so Ford issued an official recall in 2015 to deal with the matter and tighten the loose bolts. However, these problems were reported even before with earlier models like the 2002 one.

Not only would this lead to fuel leaks, but also to unexpected engine stalling or fire hazards. There were also previous recalls in 2013, so this problem wasn’t only associated with a single Ford Taurus model. If you are looking for our advice, we suggest you simply inspect the fuel delivery system before the purchase with the help of a trusted mechanic.

Worst Ford Taurus years to avoid

Ford Taurus is one of the most reliable full-size sedans on the US market among vehicles that were in production for over 30 years. It’s simply astonishing how few complaints these models got over the years, so we completely get the meaning of the “quality culture” that this model initiated.

Most of the mentioned issues we’ve listed have started with the third generation of the Taurus, so the question arises – what are the worst Ford Taurus years? The worst Ford Taurus years are 2001 and 2003, but here’s a complete list:

• 1997
• 1999
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2008
• 2013

Naturally, our team will help you identify the problems of these model years and figure out why you should steer clear from those below.

Third-generation Ford Taurus (1997 and 1999 model years)

Among the third-gen Ford Taurus models, we have to include the 1997 and 1999 ones on the forbidden list. Of course, we’ll let you decide which model suits you the best, but these were the worst third-gen models based on complaints provided by previous owners.

Some of the usual issues that came with the 1997 and 1999 Ford Taurus are common transmission problems, engine stalling, and A/C heater malfunctions.

Fourth-generation Ford Taurus (2002-2005 model years)

If you thought that things would surely get better with the following generation, you’d be wrong since the fourth-gen Taurus was the worst one yet. All the models from 2002 to 2005 are plagued with problems and the worst one is the 2003 Ford Taurus.

Because of all the transmission problems that were reported for this model the most, drivers had to go through expensive transmission rebuilds. In the end, there are also suspension issues and engine problems for this model year, which is why we suggest that you skip it.

The 2005 Taurus is pretty bad as well and it’s mostly due to the same issues along with interior accessory failures and peeling paint.

Fifth-generation Ford Taurus (model year 2008)

Unlike the previous two generations, the fifth-gen Taurus was rather reliable. The only model year that had excessive issues was 2008, which was plagued by transmission and braking system problems. Still, the fifth-gen model didn’t stick on the market for too long and it was soon replaced with a sixth-gen one.

Regardless of the changes, the sixth-gen Taurus remained as reliable as the previous model with just the 2013 model reported to have issues. Still, these were nothing when compared to all the problems of the third-gen Taurus.

Sixth-generation Ford Taurus (model year 2013)

The sixth-gen Taurus more or less saw the problems of the previous generations completely removed by the manufacturer. There was an exception of the 2013 Ford Taurus model which was the worst-rated one in this lineup due to prolific engine problems, electrical issues, and power steering faults.

However, these were mostly sorted out for the following model years, leaving drivers with just this one model to avoid in the entire sixth generation.

What are the best Ford Taurus years to buy?

After putting you through these problems and models you should avoid, it’s time to get to the good part and give you an overview of the best Ford Taurus years. We compiled this list by using all the problem reports we could find and the NHTSA complaints, so these are the most reliable Taurus models we came up with:

• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1998
• 2006
• 2009
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

All these Taurus models are pretty much safe to go with and every single one received impressive reliability scores. Struggles with transmission issues were finally over with the sixth generation, so if you are looking for the best price to quality blend, we recommend the 2009 and 2016 models as these two had the least amount of issues.

2009 Ford Taurus

The 2009 Ford Taurus made one of the best options for drivers looking to get a used fifth-gen model. It had the best reliability rating and reviews from drivers who appraised its qualities and longevity, especially with V6 engines that lasted for more than 180,000 miles.

Among the only reported issues that we found, there were some reports of automatic transmission stalling and steering difficulties due to a power steering pump failure. Still, other than these two issues, there were no prominent faults in the 2009 Taurus records.

2016 Ford Taurus

As for the newer models, the 2016 Taurus stands out as one of the best and most durable options, and we’ve had some time to test it now. The model has been out for more than 7 years now and there are just a handful of complaints submitted to NHTSA, mostly concerning A/C heater and electrical problems.

However, the model didn’t show any signs of increased oil consumption, transmission faults, or any other issues that plagued some of the earlier model years, and this generation itself is pretty reliable regardless of which model you choose.

Is the Ford Taurus worth buying?

If you are looking for a definitive answer – yes, Ford Taurus is a used model that’s worth buying. It delivers excellent reliability and driving comfort, and even considerable performance in the SHO version. However, it’s also worth knowing about all these problematic models that we’ve mentioned.

With that in mind, our team hopes to have helped at least a tiny bit when it comes to buying a used Taurus that will serve you without any issues for years to come.

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