CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2013 Ford Taurus

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

581

Complaints

20

Crashes

6

Fires

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Ford Taurus have filed 581 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2012 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 293 of them (50%). The typical failure was reported at 84,000 miles, the median across the 426 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 9 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (9)

SUSPENSION:REAR

20V072000 · February 10, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
The risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

Ford Motor Company · up to 211,207 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

16V621000 · August 25, 2016

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
The risk
A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

Ford Motor Company · up to 77,502 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

15V812000 · December 2, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Ford Motor Company · up to 868 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

15V340000 · June 2, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
The risk
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Ford Motor Company · up to 393,623 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

15V040000 · January 28, 2015

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
The risk
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 194,889 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

14V393000 · July 2, 2014

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
The risk
If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Ford Motor Company · up to 83,250 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

14V285000 · May 29, 2014

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 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. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.
The risk
This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

Ford Motor Company · up to 183,425 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

13V270000 · June 26, 2013

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.
The risk
If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Ford Motor Company · up to 12,569 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

13V227000 · May 31, 2013

The defect
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Ford Motor Company · up to 390,783 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 581.

STEERING 293 50%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 96 17%
ENGINE 69 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 57 10%
POWER TRAIN 44 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37 6%
SUSPENSION 25 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 18 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18 3%
STRUCTURE 12 2%
AIR BAGS 11 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 89.

2012 2019 2026
2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

5 injured · crash · towed

I I PURCHASED THIS 2013 FORD TAURUS SHO AWD TWIN TURBO ABOUT 3 YRS AGO USED FROM THE FIRST OWNER SO I'M THE SECOND OWNER. THE CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. NO ACCIDENTS SUPER CLEAN TOTALLY LOADED EXCEPT NO NAV AND SCREEN CONTROLS FOR ALL THE OTHER CELL PHONE APPS AND I EVEN WENT FOR UPGRADE FROM SYNC 2 MY TOUCH W/NO NAV TO THE NEWEST SYNC 3 3.5 FROM A 2018 VEHICLE CHANGED EVERYTHING IT WORKS GREAT. I CAN TELL THE CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY HIM HE PUT VERY NICE TSW WHEELS AND VERY EXPENSIVE CONTINENTAL CONTITRACK TIRES THAT ARE ABUT 300.00 A PIECE WEATHERTECH RAIN GUARDS MATS FRONT AND REAR AS WELL AS THE TRUNK.IT WAS SUCH A BEATIFUL CAR. I BOUGHT IT IN THE SUMMER,WHEN WINTER CAME ALL THE

NHTSA complaint 11352695, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

3 injured · crash · 42,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. WHILE EXITING A PARKING AREA IN REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENTLY SURGE BACKWARDS INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT CONTINUED DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING STUCK. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA complaint 10717352. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

3 injured · 72,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEIZED AND CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE ROD, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V393000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint 10779644. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · 13,500 miles

ON JAN. 9 2014 APPROX. 5:10 A.M. I REMOTELY STARTED MY CAR AND AFTER 5 MINUTES I CAME OUTSIDE AND NOTICED A 3INCH FLAME ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE ON TOP OF THE BUMPER BELOW THE DECK LID. I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WAS BURNING ON THE CAR AND WENT TO SWAT IT AND WAS BURNED ON HAND WITH MELTING PLASTIC BUMPER. TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH SNOW...THE BUMPER WAS BURNT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE DECK LID AND TAIL LIGHTS BEFORE IT WAS PUT OUT WITH WATER. IT LOOKED AS IF IT WAS BURNING FROM THE INSIDE. AS OF TODAYS DATE FORD STILL DOES NOT KNOW WHY IT CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10563903. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car regularly starts without pressing the brake down first. The car has they key but says no key detected and drives with or without it. This is a push start ignition car.

NHTSA complaint 11749567. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Back up camera goes upside down or unavailable.

NHTSA complaint 11749570. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

towed · 137,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the electric power steering suddenly failed without prior warning. The steering pulled sharply to the right, but the driver managed to maintain control and steered the vehicle safely into a soft dirt field on the side of the road. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA complaint 11748489. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The backup Camera goes upside down. The car hesitates when accelerated when needing a boost like getting on freeway Parking brake won’t catch. This is 2nd time and needs to be fixed again

NHTSA complaint 11736769. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car wouldn't start or even turn over. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk as the car broke down in the middle of nowhere, on a curve and a hill, smack dab in the middle of the road, cellphone, internet service and 911 was spotty at best, it was around midnight. I finally got through to call my Mother's insurance company for a tow truck, waited 3 hours, tow truck did not show, so I called the number given to me. The man that answered, was highly intoxicated and slurring his words. I finally got through to 911 and they called my preference of towing company, that arrived in 1.5 hours. I had to wait nearly 6 hours for a tow truck to arrive, not 1 vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11728416, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving under normal conditions, the vehicle became extremely difficult to steer, and significant physical strength was needed to turn the steering wheel. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (STEERING); and associated the failure with the recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint 11725250. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Taurus

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 12 2
2018 46 4
2017 44 4
2016 79 4
2015 265 6
2014 228 5
2012 78 5
2011 187 4 1
2010 204 3 2

Other 2013 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst