Short answer
Among Ford Taurus model years through 2024, 2005 and 2007 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2001 and 2013 have the most (9). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ford Taurus: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 20 (2000–2019)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 35
- Fewest recalls
- 2005 and 2007 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2001 and 2013 (9)
- Most recalled system
- Exterior lighting (14)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2013, 2014, 2015 and 4 more years
Ford Taurus Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Structure |
| 2018 | 4 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Electrical system, Structure |
| 2017 | 4 | 5 stars | Electrical system, Steering, Structure |
| 2016 | 4 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Engine and engine cooling, Structure |
| 2015 | 6 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Back over prevention, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 stars | Power train, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2013 | 9 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 stars | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2011 | 4 | 4 stars | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Steering |
| 2010 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Structure |
| 2009 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2008 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2007 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2006 | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Visibility |
| 2005 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Seats |
| 2003 | 3 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Visibility |
| 2002 | 3 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Service brakes, hydraulic, Visibility |
| 2001 | 9 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Equipment |
| 2000 | 8 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Equipment, Service brakes, hydraulic |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20192 recalls
- 20184 recalls
- 20174 recalls
- 20164 recalls
- 20156 recalls
- 20145 recalls
- 20139 recalls
- 20125 recalls
- 20114 recalls
- 20103 recalls
- 20091 recall
- 20081 recall
- 20070 recalls
- 20062 recalls
- 20050 recalls
- 20041 recall
- 20033 recalls
- 20023 recalls
- 20019 recalls
- 20008 recalls
Ford Taurus: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford Taurus recalls are exterior lighting (14), structure (8), suspension (8), fuel system, gasoline (7) and air bags (5). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 20 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 4 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Ford Taurus Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ford Taurus?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2005 and 2007 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Ford Taurus model years have the most recalls?
2001 and 2013 have the most, with 9 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Taurus", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy