← New search

2013 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 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

426 reports with mileage · 157 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.

  • Steering. Review the 295 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

No heat gauge, oil pressure gauge on vehicle. Blend door issue, one side blows hot, other cold. Radio not working. Weird noise in dash by ignition. Ignition sticks when trying to start car, keeps turning over. Dimmer switch doesn't work. Car can be tracked by unknown people, without permission.

NHTSA ODI #11695650

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE PRESENT A HAZARD AS THEY PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO PERIPHERAL LIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EQUIPPED WITH ONLY ONE BULB PER SIDE WHICH PROVIDES LIGHT STRAIGHT AHEAD BUT VERY LITTLE LIGHT TO THE SIDE. THUS WHEN ONE MAKES A TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD ONE CANNOT SEE THE ROAD BEING TURNED ON PRIOR…

Read full complaint

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE PRESENT A HAZARD AS THEY PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO PERIPHERAL LIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EQUIPPED WITH ONLY ONE BULB PER SIDE WHICH PROVIDES LIGHT STRAIGHT AHEAD BUT VERY LITTLE LIGHT TO THE SIDE. THUS WHEN ONE MAKES A TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD ONE CANNOT SEE THE ROAD BEING TURNED ON PRIOR TO THE TURN. I AM PUTTING A DATE IN BELOW ONLY BECAUSE IT IS REQUIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11283180

98,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Exterior LightingSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. SEELYE FORD OF KALAMAZOO (3…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. SEELYE FORD OF KALAMAZOO (3820 STADIUM DR, KALAMAZOO, MI 49008, (269) 375-3820) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE PART OF THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA, HE COULD FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF A RECALL WERE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #11280256

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LICENSE PLATE BULBS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS TO PASS THE INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE BULBS HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT AND THE VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LICENSE PLATE BULBS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS TO PASS THE INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE BULBS HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT AND THE VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE MANUFACTURER SERVICE CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14S08 REGARDING THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH PHIL FITTS FORD & LINCOLN (3250 WILMINGTON RD, NEW CASTLE, PA 16105, (724) 658-3521) FOR DECEMBER 12, 2018. IN ADDITION, THE TOUCH SCREEN BUTTONS FAILED TO FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE CONTROLS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11155738

19,200 miles · May 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting

RECALL 14R01 CLEARLY STATES THAT IF LENS IS CRACKED, OR IF I OPERATE IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT , OR IF THE CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED THEY WILL REPLACE LENS. WELL, I'M CONCERNED AND FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE PART BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. AGAIN, THERE IS AN OR IF THE CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED CLEARLY STATED IN THE R…

Read full complaint

RECALL 14R01 CLEARLY STATES THAT IF LENS IS CRACKED, OR IF I OPERATE IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT , OR IF THE CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED THEY WILL REPLACE LENS. WELL, I'M CONCERNED AND FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE PART BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. AGAIN, THERE IS AN OR IF THE CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED CLEARLY STATED IN THE RECALL. WHO WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED IF THESE THINGS ARE CRACKING ANYWHERE. I WANT THE LENS REPLACED AND THEY WON'T DO IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT CRACKED. I JUST WANT THEM TO LIVE UP TO THE CLEARLY STATED OR THAT I AM CONCERNED AND REPLACE THE LENS. THEY ARE REFUSING. I CONTACTED FORD AND MY CASE NUMBER IS CAS-7167349. I AM REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONVINCE FORD THAT THEY NEED TO LIVE UP TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE RECALL IN ITS ENTIRETY.

NHTSA ODI #10716126

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2015
Exterior Lighting

THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUES THE DESIGN OF THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHT LAMP SYSTEM ON THIS CAR DOES NOT GIVE OUT ENOUGH LIGHT. MY LIGHTS ONLY FOCUS IN ONE SPOT WITH LIGHT AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS DARK. IF AIMED CORRECTLY I ONLY HAVE LIGHT MAYBE 15 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR. WHEN IT R…

Read full complaint

THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUES THE DESIGN OF THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHT LAMP SYSTEM ON THIS CAR DOES NOT GIVE OUT ENOUGH LIGHT. MY LIGHTS ONLY FOCUS IN ONE SPOT WITH LIGHT AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS DARK. IF AIMED CORRECTLY I ONLY HAVE LIGHT MAYBE 15 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR. WHEN IT RAINS I AM BLIND DRIVING BY OTHER CARS LIGHTS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO FORD TWICE NOW AND THE KEEP READJUSTING THE LIGHTS TO THROW THE LIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF THE CAR LEAVING ME NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE CAR. FORD HAS ALSO TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE LIGHTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680462

2,500 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS POOR ON LOW BEAM. THERE IS A HORIZONTAL LINE MAKING DEFINITE DIVISION IN VISIBILITY THAT EXTENDS ACROSS THE COMPLETE HORIZONTAL LINE OF VISION. GOING TO HIGH BEAMS STOPS ELIMINATES IT. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I CANNOT SEE WELL ON LOW BEAMS. THE SAME THING IS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. I STO…

Read full complaint

HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS POOR ON LOW BEAM. THERE IS A HORIZONTAL LINE MAKING DEFINITE DIVISION IN VISIBILITY THAT EXTENDS ACROSS THE COMPLETE HORIZONTAL LINE OF VISION. GOING TO HIGH BEAMS STOPS ELIMINATES IT. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I CANNOT SEE WELL ON LOW BEAMS. THE SAME THING IS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT THE DEALER, WE LOOKED AT IT, TRIED THE LIGHTS AND ALSO TRIED TO ADJUST THEM BUT THE LOW BEAMS JUST DO NOT HAVE A LIGHT PATTERN THAT ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO SEE AT A SAFE DISTANCE IN FRONT OF THE CAR AT NIGHT. THIS LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SYSTEM JUST PLAIN STINKS FOR A CAR THAT HAD A MSRP OF $35K. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596541

5,122 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Exterior LightingService BrakesSuspension

WHILE BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM WORK,DOWN A CITY STREET, SHE YELLED OUT TO ME TO WATCH OUT...DEER! AUTOMATICALLY, I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT IN PEOPLE YARDS AND WOODED ARE,THEN LEFT, ONLY TO FIND THEM JUST SLIGHT TO MY RIGHT FORM THE CENTER OF OUR CAR. AT THIS POINT I KNEW THE BRAKES WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. HOWEVER THESE HALOGEN PROJE…

Read full complaint

WHILE BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM WORK,DOWN A CITY STREET, SHE YELLED OUT TO ME TO WATCH OUT...DEER! AUTOMATICALLY, I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT IN PEOPLE YARDS AND WOODED ARE,THEN LEFT, ONLY TO FIND THEM JUST SLIGHT TO MY RIGHT FORM THE CENTER OF OUR CAR. AT THIS POINT I KNEW THE BRAKES WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. HOWEVER THESE HALOGEN PROJECTION HEADLIGHTS HAVE A DECENT PATTERN, BUT ARE LIKE HAVING TWO CANDLES. WHY IS IT MY 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO HAD FACTORY HID HEADLIGHTS AND NOW 7 YEARS LATER THEY WENT BACKWARDS, AS OTHER CARS ARE NOW USING LED HEADLIGHTS? THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY TIME. THE NEXT TIME MY WIFE NOTICED A PERSON WALKING IN THE ROAD,WHY WHO KNOWS? EXCEPT I AM NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT I THINK IS POLITICS FORD IS DOING. THESE LIGHTING SYSTEM IS SO BAD IF I HAD THE HIGH BEAMS ON WHILE DRIVING WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC NOBODY BLINKS AT ME. (I KNOW THIS SHOULD NOT BE DONE FOR SAFETY REASONS, BUT I HAD TO PROVE TO MYSELF THAT IT'S NOT JUST ME DUE TO THE CHANGE OVER FROM HID TO HALOGEN LIGHTING. PS) TODAY MARCH 14 2014, I WROTE THRU THE WEBSITE PLANET FEEDBACK TO THE CEO OF FORD OVER THIS ISSUE. I ALREADY MENTIONED THIS ON SURVEYS FORD GAVE ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE AUTO, AND MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572512

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT TO GET IT FIXED. THEY "FIXED" IT. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. WENT BACK IN TO GET FIXED. LATER WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE BACK TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE. BUMPER WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK LID. ITEMS INSIDE WERE FINE. IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, I'M SURE THE DRIVER WOULD BE…

Read full complaint

HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT TO GET IT FIXED. THEY "FIXED" IT. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. WENT BACK IN TO GET FIXED. LATER WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE BACK TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE. BUMPER WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK LID. ITEMS INSIDE WERE FINE. IF IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, I'M SURE THE DRIVER WOULD BE DEAD. THE FIRE WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563928

Official recalls

9

20V072000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 10, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

16V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 25, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

15V812000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Dec 2, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

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.

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.

14V393000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

Jul 2, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

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.

13V270000 · Latches/locks/linkages

Jun 26, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

13V227000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 31, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

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.

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.