CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2018 Ford Taurus

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

Owners have filed 49 safety complaints about the 2018 Ford Taurus with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is back-over prevention, named in 12 complaints, 24% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 56,000 miles, the median across the 32 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

49 complaints on file

49

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

6

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 22 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 7 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
BACK OVER PREVENTION 12 · 24%
STRUCTURE 11 · 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 16%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 · 14%
POWER TRAIN 7 · 14%
SUSPENSION 7 · 14%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 · 8%
ENGINE 3 · 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 4%
CHILD SEAT 1 · 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 2%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 49.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 17.

20 15 10 5
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Ford TAURUS, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 11.3% 11.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V695000 · October 13, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,448,655 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM

25V611000 · September 12, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.

Ford Motor Company · up to 101,944 vehicles across all model years covered

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

18V141000 · March 1, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
The risk
If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,100 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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

POWER TRAIN

4 injured · crash · towed · 155,498 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 65 mph, the transmission, brakes, steering, and engine became inoperable, and the vehicle shut down and crashed into the side railing. The vehicle tipped on its side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The child passenger who was using a car seat positioned in the rear passenger seat sustained injuries that left the occupant in a coma, and medical attention was provided. The other occupants in the driver and passenger front seats and the occupant in the driver's rear seat sustained minor cuts but medical attention was not provided. There was no reported fire, police report, or air bag deployment.

NHTSA complaint 11556686, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

2 injured · crash · towed · 9,000 miles

THE LOWER ANCHORS FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THE REAR SEAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT BRUISING TO THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS AFTER A REAR-END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN A CAR STRUCK IT FROM BEHIND. *TT *TR

NHTSA complaint 11090470. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

fire

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at the independent mechanic for the oil change. While riding the bus, on the way home they mechanic called the contact to inform them that the vehicle had caught fire and the engine had burned while in their parking lot. The fire possibly originated from the battery, per the mechanic center however the contact mentioned the battery was recently replaced with a new battery. The contact had not been able to retrieve the vehicle and was unsure if the vehicle was totaled. The dealer had been reaching out to the contact to offer a trade-in or buy-back option. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was

NHTSA complaint 11721412, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

crash

Rear adjustable lataral arm and ball joint (RH) on rear wheel broke, while driving spun car in the road. Had to replace part and take vehicle to Ford dealership to get car allined and have car inspected for other damage. Purchased from Oreilly Auto Parts. Part number 2CB40582 $103.99. Precision Lateral Arm and Joint. Took vehicle to Vallery Ford Waverly Ohio. for allinment $90.04 on 08/18/2022. 2018 Ford Taurus SEL. 72715 miles.

NHTSA complaint 11489257. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while in reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint 11764666. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An appointment was scheduled by the manufacturer to another local dealer, Gengras Ford Service (225 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062), where the dealer requested to keep the vehicle overnight to inspect, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a

NHTSA complaint 11758543, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Components Involved: Engine Block Mounting Boss, Intermediate Shaft Bracket (Service Part # DB5Z-3K305-CA), Factory Bolt (OEM # W500131-S437) Incident Overview: During a low-speed (about 5mph) lateral impact to the front-right wheel against a curb, expected sacrificial suspension damage occurred (snapped CV axle, separated lower ball joint). However, lateral force transferred through the passenger-side intermediate shaft directly into its carrier bearing mounting bracket. Instead of the cast mounting bracket (DB5Z-3K305-B) absorbing the force or breaking, the lateral stress sheared the cast mounting boss entirely off the engine block. Engineering Flaw & Dimensions: This design presents a

NHTSA complaint 11757584, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door B-pillar trim had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint 11753690. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

26,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the front driver’s side B-pillar trim was loose. Several local dealers were contacted on several occasions. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

NHTSA complaint 11745615. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

98,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure) and contacted the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer had failed to return the contact's call. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, an unknown door B-pillar trim detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA complaint 11742373. 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 16 2 —
2017 44 4 —
2016 81 4 —
2015 276 6 —
2014 229 5 —
2013 584 9 —
2012 79 5 —
2011 187 4 1
2010 204 3 2

Other 2018 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

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