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2017 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Taurus are lower than the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 21 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

44 reports
40,000 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Exterior Lighting

STARTED WITH THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT OUT. PROGRESSED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND NEEDING REPLACED AND SOMETIMES THE PIG TAILS TO PLUG INTO THE HEADLIGHT NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO THEM MELTING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND PIG TAILS THE WEEK OF 5/17/2020 AND AGAIN JUST HAD THE RIGHT HEA…

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STARTED WITH THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT OUT. PROGRESSED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND NEEDING REPLACED AND SOMETIMES THE PIG TAILS TO PLUG INTO THE HEADLIGHT NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO THEM MELTING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND PIG TAILS THE WEEK OF 5/17/2020 AND AGAIN JUST HAD THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND PIGTAIL REPLACED THE WEEK OF 6/7/2020. CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD "NO ISSUES REPORTED BEFORE". CAN'T BELIEVED WE ARE THE ONLY POLICE DEPT HAVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328847

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I CAN HEAR THE GAS SLOSHING AROUND IN MY GAS TANK WHILE I'M DRIVING MY CAR IS THIS A NORMAL FUNCTION

NHTSA ODI #11300247

32,000 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A FIXED POINT BEAM FOR BRIGHTS WITH SHUTTERS FOR DIMS. THE LIGHTS POINT DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, THEY NEVER CHANGE, SO WHEN THE SHUTTERS ARE LIFTED THE BEAMS DON'T CHANGE THEY ARE STILL POINTED DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT. THE ONLY THING THAT CHANGES IS A LITTLE REFLECTED LIGHT THAT CATCHES THE REFLECTIVE ROAD SIGNS, …

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THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A FIXED POINT BEAM FOR BRIGHTS WITH SHUTTERS FOR DIMS. THE LIGHTS POINT DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT, THEY NEVER CHANGE, SO WHEN THE SHUTTERS ARE LIFTED THE BEAMS DON'T CHANGE THEY ARE STILL POINTED DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT. THE ONLY THING THAT CHANGES IS A LITTLE REFLECTED LIGHT THAT CATCHES THE REFLECTIVE ROAD SIGNS, WHICH ILLUMINATE WITHOUT MUCH LIGHT ON THEM, BUT THE ROAD AHEAD IS DARK. THE BEAMS ARE NOT POINTED DOWN ROAD, WHICH IS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. ON BRIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSE THE ROAD TO GO DARK WITHIN 3 CAR LENGTHS. YOU CANNOT SEE CURVES, OBJECTS IN THE ROAD, INCLUDING DEER AND WITH RAIN IT'S EVEN WORSE. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH FORD, THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE REGIONAL MANAGER, AND STILL THERE IS NO SOLUTION. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS, BUT HE COULD SEE BY MY PHOTO THAT I WAS DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY. HE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND ANY POSSIBLE FIX, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DISCOVER ANYTHING, OTHER THAN HIS FORD RESOURCES SAID THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THESE HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE INCLUDED A COPY OF THE SERVICE DOCUMENT THAT STATES THIS ALSO. THERE IS A VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT, BUT THAT DOES NOT BRING THE LIGHTS BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER DID WHAT HE COULD, BUT HE WAS AT A LOSS FOR WHAT TO DO ALSO. THIS PROBLEM MAKES AN OTHERWISE GREAT CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE EXCEPT FOR ON WELL LIT CITY STREETS. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2018. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS CORRECTED SINCE THAT TIME. IT'S A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, PROBABLY A LEASE VEHICLE OR RENTAL, SO NOBODY CARED TO REPORT THE ISSUE SINCE IT WASN'T THEIRS. I AM AT THE END OF TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO GET THIS CORRECTED. THUS, I'M WRITING TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS SAFETY CONCERN THAT FORD MUST BE MADE TO CORRECT.

NHTSA ODI #11267401

37,800 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK THE CONTACT A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO FINALLY START THE VEHICLE. FAIRWAY FORD (2323 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND WANTED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY. IT TOOK THE CONTACT A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO FINALLY START THE VEHICLE. FAIRWAY FORD (2323 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 242-5060) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT $180 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,800.

NHTSA ODI #11229273

25,800 miles · Apr 25, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS TRAVELLING ON A FREEWAY ~70MPH IN LEFT HAND LANE. WITHOUT WARNING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. AN ORANGE BOX APPEARED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER SAYING 'TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK'. I SIGNALED I…

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I WAS TRAVELLING ON A FREEWAY ~70MPH IN LEFT HAND LANE. WITHOUT WARNING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. AN ORANGE BOX APPEARED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER SAYING 'TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK'. I SIGNALED INTENTION TO PULL ONTO LEFT HAND SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NO SOUND OR FLASHING FROM THE INDICATOR ARROW LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I BRAKED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO 'PARK' AND DEPRESSED ENGINE START BUTTON. THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE START BUTTON AND THE ENGINE STARTED. ALL CHECK LIGHTS WENT OUT, ENGAGED 'D', WAITED FOR BREAK IN TRAFFIC, INDICATED AND ACCELERATED INTO LEFT HAND LANE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY WANTED ME TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM REPEATED OR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TO ILLUMINATE. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CRITICAL PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THIS PROBLEM REPEATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND FAULT CODES - B11D8:14, U0423:82, U0415:00, U0028:08. THE FAULT CODES WERE CLEARED, AND THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ~70 MILES BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 25, 2019, THE FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, FORD MOTOR COMPANY CANNOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND ANY ISSUE IS NOW BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE DEALER. OVERALL, THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GRAVITY OF THIS ISSUE. THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED SHOULD BE EVEN MORE CONCERNING WHEN, AT RANDOM, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE LOST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOW WALKED AWAY FROM THIS SAFETY CRITICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11203656

27,000 miles · Mar 27, 2019
Engine

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN THE CAR GOT TO ABOUT 55 MPH THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. IT STAYED THERE FOR WHAT FELT LIKE 15 OR MORE SECONDS. THE FIRST TIME WAS BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT HAPPENS IN FEBRUARY AS WELL

NHTSA ODI #11192014

14,600 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,600.

NHTSA ODI #11181351

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

ELECTRIC PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS TAKE AWHILE BEFORE COMING ON.A POPPING ON THE RIGHT UNDER THE CAR IN THE FRONT .AND A FUNNY NOISE IN THE STEERLING WHEEL WHEN TURNING EITHER WAY.

NHTSA ODI #11171473

220,000 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

HAVE A CLICK IN STERLING WHEEL MY DAD BOARD LIGHTS TAKE ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE THEY COME ON THE DASHBOARD

NHTSA ODI #11163028

150 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE TOO DIM TO READ WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HART FORD LINCOLN (117 LAKE ST, ROSCOMMON, MI 48653, (989) 275-8922) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND SUGGESTED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE TOO DIM TO READ WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HART FORD LINCOLN (117 LAKE ST, ROSCOMMON, MI 48653, (989) 275-8922) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER STATED THAT FORD CHANGED THE BACKGROUND COLOR OF THE GAUGES, WHICH MADE THEM DIFFICULT TO READ. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.

NHTSA ODI #11120431

Official recalls

4

25V611000 · Structure:exterior Trim

Sep 12, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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.

18V141000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Mar 1, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: 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.

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

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."

Consequence: 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.

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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

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."

Consequence: 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.

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.

17V530000 · Steering

Aug 28, 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.

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.