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2011 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

142 reports with mileage · 45 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

187 reports
58,325 miles · Dec 11, 2013
SeatsFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S COAT, CAUSING BURNS TO THE CONTACT'S SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S COAT, CAUSING BURNS TO THE CONTACT'S SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,325.

NHTSA ODI #10555560

103,500 miles · Dec 10, 2013
Visibility

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A COOL, SUNNY DAY WHEN MY MOONROOF ON MY 2011 FORDTAURUS EXPLODED. IT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AT FIRST (SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT) WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE GLASS CRACKLING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT (ROCK, ETC). THE FORD DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WAS DUM…

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I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A COOL, SUNNY DAY WHEN MY MOONROOF ON MY 2011 FORDTAURUS EXPLODED. IT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AT FIRST (SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT) WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE GLASS CRACKLING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT (ROCK, ETC). THE FORD DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WAS DUMBFOUNDED AS TO WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO SHATTER. VERY SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS DID FALL INTO THE CAR. BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, I HAD TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555408

46,700 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsInjury

I OWN A 2011 FORD TAURUS WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. THE HEATING MECHANISM BEGAN TO GET HOTTER IN SPOTS ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT ON MY DRIVE INTO WORK. I BEGIN TO FEEL A BURNING SENSATION ON MY SKIN AS WELL AS A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE HEATING VENTS, AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND STEPPING OU…

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I OWN A 2011 FORD TAURUS WITH HEATED LEATHER SEATS. THE HEATING MECHANISM BEGAN TO GET HOTTER IN SPOTS ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT ON MY DRIVE INTO WORK. I BEGIN TO FEEL A BURNING SENSATION ON MY SKIN AS WELL AS A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE HEATING VENTS, AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND STEPPING OUT I REALIZED IT WAS NOT. WHEN I TOOK OFF MY COAT, I REALIZED THAT THE SEAT HAD BURNED A HOLE IN MY JACKET, MY SWEATER AND I HAD A BURN ON MY SKIN. LOOKING AT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT YOU CAN SEE BURN MARKS AS WELL AS A HOLE WHERE THE HEATING MECHANISM BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554400

20,000 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System

DASH LIGHTS GO DIM FOR ABOUT 15 MIN THEN GO BRIGHT AGAIN DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG

NHTSA ODI #10550769

55,000 miles · Nov 2, 2013
Exterior Lighting

WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AUGUST 2013. WE TOOK IT BACK FOR DRIVING LIGHTS TO BE CHECKED. WE HADN'T DRIVEN AT NIGHT UNTIL RECENTLY AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS SEEM LIKE DIM LIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE A SHADOW INSIDE OR OVER THEM. THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHOW VERY MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD. WE CHANGED THE BULBS THINKING THEY WERE OL…

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WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AUGUST 2013. WE TOOK IT BACK FOR DRIVING LIGHTS TO BE CHECKED. WE HADN'T DRIVEN AT NIGHT UNTIL RECENTLY AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS SEEM LIKE DIM LIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE A SHADOW INSIDE OR OVER THEM. THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHOW VERY MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD. WE CHANGED THE BULBS THINKING THEY WERE OLD AND WE BOUGHT THE BRIGHTEST WE COULD AND STILL NO DIFFERENCE. THE ROAD APPEARS IN SHADOWS AND YOU CAN'T SEE VERY FAR. WE WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550619

84,000 miles · Oct 31, 2013
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHADE ERRONEOUSLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHADE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHADE ERRONEOUSLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHADE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10550408

35,703 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Structure

WE OWN A 2011 FORD TAURUS LIMITED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERS FOR A PROBLEM WITH DUST COMING IN THE CAR AROUND THE SEATS BOTH FRONT AND BACK. THEY REPLACED THE SEALS AROUND THE DOORS THE FIRST TIME THIS DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. ON AUGUST 02,2013 WE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND T…

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WE OWN A 2011 FORD TAURUS LIMITED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERS FOR A PROBLEM WITH DUST COMING IN THE CAR AROUND THE SEATS BOTH FRONT AND BACK. THEY REPLACED THE SEALS AROUND THE DOORS THE FIRST TIME THIS DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. ON AUGUST 02,2013 WE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED MORE PARTS TO THE CAR STILL NOT FIXED. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AGAIN AND THE REFERRED ME TO A LADY PATTY A REGIONAL CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER. ON 08/22/2013 I MADE CONTACT WITH HER SHE CONTACTED THEIR TECHNICAL PEOPLE AND GOT BACK WITH ME STATING THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR THIS CAR STATING THAT IT WAS A DESIGN ISSUE AND THEY HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO NO WHAT ELSE I CAN DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AS FORD HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THE CAN DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537588

11,663 miles · Jun 24, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TAURUS SEL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED ON ITS OWN HEAD ON INTO A WALL AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ($11,000+ IN DAMAGES - THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE CAR AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE C…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TAURUS SEL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED ON ITS OWN HEAD ON INTO A WALL AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ($11,000+ IN DAMAGES - THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE CAR AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CAUSE FOR THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS NEVER DETERMINED. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INVOLVED IN A SIMILAR INCIDENT. HE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE TAURUS. HE FELT A STRANGE RUMBLING THAT FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HIM. HE WASN'T EVEN SURE IT WAS THE CAR SO HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY TO SEE IF THE RUMBLING WOULD STOP. AS SOON AS HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE RPM GAUGE SHOT UP TO 7,000 AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. HE SLAMMED HIS FOOT BACK DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED BUT THE RPM GAUGE WAS STILL AT 7,000 AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RACING (WITH NORMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE THE CAR DID NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS RACING) HE TOOK A GLANCE DOWN AT THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL...NO FEET, NO TRAPPED FLOOR MATS. HE SHIFTED TO PARK, THE ENGINE CALMED DOWN AND IT WAS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. IT DROVE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE CAR IS GOING BACK TO A FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THERE IS CLEARLY A POTENTIALLY FATAL MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521381

20,000 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10519779

6,000 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED BUT THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON AN EXIT RAMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED BUT THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #10519775

Official recalls

4

16V247000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 26, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 2, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

15V040000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 28, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

14V285000 · Exterior Lighting

May 29, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.