2018 Ford Taurus problems

POWER TRAIN

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 critical flaw in the crash load path and failure hierarchy: Improper Leverage: The 84mm thick cast bracket acts as a rigid lever against a small, brittle ~17mm cast engine block boss. Inverted Material Sacrificing: The over-engineered bracket survives the impact, transferring fatal structural damage to the non-replaceable engine block instead of acting as a sacrificial fuse. Inadequate Thread Engagement: The factory 95mm flange bolt (W500131-S437) only utilizes 11mm of thread inside the raised boss, completely ignoring 1 to 2 inches of threading available deeper within the engine block casting. This shallow engagement concentrates all shearing stress directly at the weakest protrusion. Consumer Burden: This localized failure condemns the engine block, requiring a full engine replacement under standard dealership repair procedures. This creates a severe and disproportionate financial burden for what should be a straightforward suspension and driveline collision repair. Conclusion: I request an investigation into this structural vulnerability. The intermediate shaft bracket mounting location acts as a critical weak point, actively transferring lateral impact energy into the block and causing premature, catastrophic structural engine failure.

NHTSA complaint #11757584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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 critical flaw in the crash load path and failure hierarchy: Improper Leverage: The 84mm thick cast bracket acts as a rigid lever against a small, brittle ~17mm cast engine block boss. Inverted Material Sacrificing: The over-engineered bracket survives the impact, transferring fatal structural damage to the non-replaceable engine block instead of acting as a sacrificial fuse. Inadequate Thread Engagement: The factory 95mm flange bolt (W500131-S437) only utilizes 11mm of thread inside the raised boss, completely ignoring 1 to 2 inches of threading available deeper within the engine block casting. This shallow engagement concentrates all shearing stress directly at the weakest protrusion. Consumer Burden: This localized failure condemns the engine block, requiring a full engine replacement under standard dealership repair procedures. This creates a severe and disproportionate financial burden for what should be a straightforward suspension and driveline collision repair. Conclusion: I request an investigation into this structural vulnerability. The intermediate shaft bracket mounting location acts as a critical weak point, actively transferring lateral impact energy into the block and causing premature, catastrophic structural engine failure.

NHTSA complaint #11757584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while geared in Reverse, the rearview camera would not display a clear view image as intended on the center digital screen. The local dealer was 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 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11735830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined parking lot, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact engaged the electric parking brake, and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while parking the vehicle on an incline, requiring the electric parking brake to be engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with a recall due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11728586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined parking lot, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact engaged the electric parking brake, and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while parking the vehicle on an incline, requiring the electric parking brake to be engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with a recall due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11728586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 65,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 99,000. The contact stated that the seller's father was a dealer and had advised that the issue would be corrected; however, the contact was concerned about further fraudulent business practices.

NHTSA complaint #11727302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 became loose. Several local dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11723505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The contact purchased a replacement trim, and the dealer, Clay Maxey Chevrolet, Inc. (1413 Hwy 62 E, Mountain Home, AR 72653); replaced the trim. The dealer was contacted and stated that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. A second dealer was contacted, Morlan - Shell Ford Inc, (1824 Porter Wagoner Blvd, West Plains, MO 65775); confirmed that the part was not yet available. The second dealer informed the contact that several other vehicle owners had been waiting for the recall repair since 2024. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11722207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the image appeared and then disappeared. The message that the rear-view camera was unavailable was displayed. Occasionally, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image, and the failure was intermittent. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was informed that parts were not available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #11720005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim blew off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the local dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that 2 years prior to receiving the recall notification, the trim on the driver's and passenger side had blown off, and the trim pieces were replaced out of pocket. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11717787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

Rear toe links have a lot of slack resulting in rear drifting on uneven/slippery ground. This results in poor handling and fishtailing making it significantly harder to maintain control of the vehicle. Extreme caution required during slippery road conditions as the car will start to fishtail on it's own and requires constant corrective steering.

NHTSA complaint #11713318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image while reversing. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #11700415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V611000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the silver paint on the driver side was peeling. The paint near the driver’s side mirror was peeling. Upon further investigation, the contact noticed that the passenger’s side had started peeling as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the exterior vent under the windshield wipers was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11700161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V611000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the silver paint on the driver side was peeling. The paint near the driver’s side mirror was peeling. Upon further investigation, the contact noticed that the passenger’s side had started peeling as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the exterior vent under the windshield wipers was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11700161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11698107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11698107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a significant puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon checking the fluid reservoirs, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle, but the coolant leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to Fast Lane, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced, and the contact was informed that the warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and was taken back to the residence. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11697637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear view camera is not working properly. It blinks at times and then the view of the rear is upside down. This happens when I put the car in reverse.

NHTSA complaint #11688840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

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 dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts might not be available for several months. The contact stated that with the unrepaired recall, the vehicle could not be registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The manufacturer was contacted, but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11687964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear back up camera when in reverse my screen will blink black then be normal. It will sometimes go blue or just stay black or camera not available it sometimes have half screen. It has not been inspected nor any faulty lights warnings besides one or 2 times of camera unavailable. I know there are some recalls on other vehicles with this issue but the Taurus SHO.

NHTSA complaint #11687402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear camera just went inverted and rear assist lines are not displayed. Dealer has not been contacted. This is a safety hazard while backing up. I have had no other issues.

NHTSA complaint #11687144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.