1,501 of the
23,971 complaints filed about the Ford Taurus
are about the braking system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1993.
Foot pedal parking brake stopped holding it's position. Pedal will move up and down, and parking brake light remains illuminated, but the system is not actually holding pressure on the parking brakes. Failure is caused by a small plastic piece that is used against metal components in the parking brake assembly and eventually breaks. This can cause the vehicle to roll unintentionally and increase the risk of an accident. This issue has already been reported for the same vehicle as mine under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11113016 and I suspect it has been reported under additional models and years as well since it is a commonly reported issue on internet forums, yet no investigation or recall has been performed. The only remedy is to purchase a new parking brake assembly from Ford for more than $300, plus labor. Ford will continue to profit from the issue which is why the NHTSA needs to assist before (more) deaths and property damage occur.
NHTSA complaint #11727311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Backing out of parking space resulting to damage to both vehicles . Brake\gas pedals. Position of driver ( body turned) relative to pedals while backing car can allow drivers foot to be in contact with both pedals. Increased pressure on the brake can allow increased pressure on the gas pedal allowing the vehicle to continue in a reversed direction . Can strike a person or object resulting in injury or damage. Subject car is a station wagon and appears to have lower seating \configuration than a sedan .
NHTSA complaint #11704207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown. Car was going 100 mph. Driver, my son , was killed in this car accident. This year make AND model is known for throttle acceleration issues with brake afail override non existent until later models. Case number [XXX] sterling heights police department INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering didn't work correctly which led to brakes not doing what I needed which led to slamming into a cement edge at a freeway exit or entrance. Seat belts locked up. Air bags did not deploy. Front passenger tire flat. Car towed next day. Ford dealership did NOTHING even when it was discovered Ford sold us a car with a FLAT spare tire (donut). Dealership said no recalls, but coverup or fixed but not correctly previously? Car purchased used. Ford dealership said to go to body shop. Body shop couldn't do anything unless we paid $6,000.00 to get the seat belts replaced. That's 1/3 the price financed for the car!!!! Safety put at risk: flat spare tire & seat belts locked up. The dealership SAID nothing wrong with brakes & steering according to their electronic diagnosis. Didn't even LOOK at brakes & steering. 2 incidents total so far with brakes & steering. Didn't think anything significant the first time. seat belts locked up confirmed by certified body shop. No it has NOT been inspected by anybody else. No warning lights appeared. I unhooked wife's seat belt so she could exit the car as needed & it slammed into her left breast. See attached picture. It took a week for the bruise to go away. Bruise got worse before it disappeared. Hurt a lot.
NHTSA complaint #11651282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbags failed to deploy in a right front collision with a deer. Banged head off steering wheel. GEICO repaired over 8000 in damage. Took 19 days to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11647554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle was involved in a collision with major front end damage and no airbags deployed. The brakes have been soft or spongy. I have not seen any leaks for the brake issue. I have bled the brakes several times the master was replaced by the original owner.
NHTSA complaint #11647520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When placing the car in park, the brakes do not engage fully or right away. The vehicle rolls before coming to an abrupt and rough stop. When shifting the car out of park, the brakes make a loud noise. This causes a potential collision, or unintentionally hitting a pedestrian.vehicle has not been inspected due to cost related issues to the vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #11646836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving 65mph and the steering wheel locked up and the brakes weren’t working as they should. Check engine light came on. Was able to pull off the road. Shut off vehicle for awhile. Then it worked as it should. No repairs at this time but sounds like it will continue to happen.
NHTSA complaint #11642990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving down CR 230 in Wyoming, the situation started if I have to estimate, 7 miles west of Woods Landing, I heard a metal on metal grinding noise from the engine bay, and a loss of power on the throttle. I look at my RPM gauge and notice it is a zero. No check engine light, all electronics working as normal along with the brakes, and I slow the vehicle down to 30 MPH. Shortly after noticing, I get a "Check Brake System" flash on my instrument panel cluster, also the light which illuminates for my parking brake turns on, and I lose power brakes, the brake pedal turned extremely stiff. I immediately look for a pull off zone, but because I had lost brakes I did not want to risk keeping the vehicle moving. I get the vehicle stopped on the side of the road, and instantly put it in park along with the parking brake and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle would not start or crank, just a flash across all of the electronics, the lights go dark, then illuminate again as if normal. This is an extremely dangerous situation, the vehicle had not notified me that the motor had stopped turning; not a check engine light or ring at all, and shortly after that the power brakes stop working. This is very dangerous for motorists because of the lack of notification from the vehicle, and the incredibly weak breaking ability. If the vehicle had been moving at highway speeds, any sort of traffic, I could've ended up injured or dead, and even worse, killed another driver. The vehicle was towed to the nearest town where it would be inspected by a dealership; they reported to have found coolant in the oil and that the vehicle needed a new motor. No other details have been confirmed, and the problem has not been reproduced by the dealership. It is unknown if the dealership inspected the braking system.
NHTSA complaint #11636388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’m not having any success with my local Ford Dealership or with Ford Customer Service getting my car covered under the Customer Satisfaction Program. I have fuel system issues, I need to replace both cats and 2 bad sensors, halfshaft, fuel system, and braking issues. The dealership said to contact Ford and Ford says it’s the dealership’s problem. If they don’t fix it, I’m done with Ford. If they can’t stand behind their products and their dealerships won’t help the customers, then my loyalty is done. I’ve already had to replace a poorly designed PTU at my expense and now this, buyer beware on Interceptors. Let’s hope I don’t have any other issues. No one seems to be willing to help and I’m beyond frustrated with this experience.
NHTSA complaint #11565530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Please allow submission of additional information regarding issues with my 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor. As stated on the previous complaint filed on 1/9/2024, I got my car service at AutoNation Ford Service Center on 12/16/2023, and I brought it back to the service center on Saturday, 12/23/2023 because of the car’s poor performance and engine had laminated on 12/17/2023. I went to pick up the car on Thursday 12/28/2023 in the morning, the Ford representative said the car is fine, and there is nothing wrong with the car. I say thank you and drive off. So, I am driving the car for about 5 minutes, it feels sluggish. Then the engine light comes on, I make a U turn and return the car to AutoNation Ford for service. As things stand now, my car is still AutoNation Ford service center, due to the defects which are causing poor performance while driving the 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor, issues such as: Rough Steering, Bad Ignition Switch, and braking issue. Per my previous statement, I drove the car for about on 12/28/2023, it felt extremely sluggish. The hard shifting in vehicle, and steering wheel was rough . The brakes have more issues than normal. The engine light came on.
NHTSA complaint #11565399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 65 mph, the transmission, brakes, steering, and engine became inoperable, and the vehicle shut down and crashed into the side railing. The vehicle tipped on its side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The child passenger who was using a car seat positioned in the rear passenger seat sustained injuries that left the occupant in a coma, and medical attention was provided. The other occupants in the driver and passenger front seats and the occupant in the driver's rear seat sustained minor cuts but medical attention was not provided. There was no reported fire, police report, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was called but the contact was unable to notify them about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,498.
NHTSA complaint #11556686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Every couple weeks when driving slowly around a corner, the brakes will all of a sudden come on & stop my car. If I had anyone behind me, I would have had several collisions, by now. My mechanic has looked at the brakes, wheels, etc., & cannot find the problem. I am VERY concerned about this defect. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #11543189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power before stalling. The vehicle continued to roll forward before the driver was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the contact stated that failure reoccurred three additional times. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11527038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2011 Ford Taurus has had so many repairs out of pocket expenses and if I purchased another warranty package doubt it would cover my issues past and present. 69,000 th miles. Throttle bottle and pedal replacement $ 852.79 replaced on February 14, 2023. Mechanic tried to fix it but the error code is the large blue wrench and check engine light still on. Have to bring it in at the end of the month to my Ford Dealer as they are so booked up and I have read all the Ford recalls. When I start the car the break pedal is to the floor, it revs up and when I place the shift in drive it wants to take off by itself at a rapid speed. I then shut the car off and it makes a big thump. It takes me three tries to start it up again but looses power where I have to put my emergency flashes on. This incident is so dangerous. Ford should have done a recall there are so many complaints ! I was going to disconnect my battery and connect it again to see if that works but I don’t want to erase the codes. My Ford dealership is so busy that they could only give me an appointment at the end of the month. As I stated my vehicle is inoperable as it sits until the end of the month to get serviced again.
NHTSA complaint #11510109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer advised him to stop driving the vehicle due to corrosion of the subframe, caliper, steering arm, brakes, and a hole in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #11489738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress the floorboard without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test determined that the brake module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #11469218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Severely rusted brake line to the driver side real brake ruptured and caused loss of brake function and emptying of the single brake fluid reservoir. I cannot currently find the ruptured line segment, but a portion of the other rear brake line was similarly rusted prompting preventative repair. Fortunately, my wife was driving at low speed and was able to maneuver the car into a parking spot. An employee at the O'Reilly store where I bought replacement parts thought the state of the ruptured line meant that it came from a 1980s model vehicle rather than a 2007 model. No one in an official capacity has inspected the brake line. My wife did not report nor have I observed any brake warning lamps during my repairs (the brake lamp does illuminate when the parking brake is engaged). Rusting occurred due to trapped road debris in a brake line support tray under driver's seat. I will include a photograph of the removed tray and a brake line portion that came from it. Close inspection of the photograph can see the debris and rust in the tray and significant rust on the non-failed brake line also restrained in it. I will also include a (scanned) receipt from O'Reilly documenting the repair parts and date.
NHTSA complaint #11465570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. Upon inspection of his vehicle, the contact was informed by a mechanic at the dealer that the passenger’s side rear brake pad had been severely worn and was close to making metal-to-metal contact with the rotor. Due to the failure, the contact had the brake pad replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and they informed him that brake pads should be replaced every 12 months or 18,000 miles. The contact questioned the manufacturer's statement since none of his other brake pads needed replacement and had each remained in quality condition. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #11444846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.