FaultScore

Ford Taurus headlight problems

700 of the 23,971 complaints filed about the Ford Taurus are about the lighting — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.

700

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

13

Fires

Lights complaints by model year

1987 Taurus 7 1.0%
1988 Taurus 6 0.9%
1989 Taurus 8 1.1%
1990 Taurus 7 1.0%
1991 Taurus 9 1.3%
1992 Taurus 16 2.3%
1993 Taurus 149 21.3%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1994 Taurus 51 7.3%

Median failure at 113,500 miles

1995 Taurus 29 4.1%

Median failure at 105,500 miles

1996 Taurus 34 4.9%

Median failure at 44,500 miles

1997 Taurus 39 5.6%

Median failure at 71,735 miles

1998 Taurus 29 4.1%

Median failure at 103,000 miles

1999 Taurus 24 3.4%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2000 Taurus 98 14.0%

Median failure at 53,000 miles

2001 Taurus 32 4.6%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

2002 Taurus 28 4.0%

Median failure at 105,750 miles

2003 Taurus 48 6.9%

Median failure at 98,488 miles

2004 Taurus 8 1.1%

Median failure at 121,000 miles

2005 Taurus 4 0.6%

Median failure at 121,000 miles

2006 Taurus 6 0.9%

Median failure at 98,500 miles

2007 Taurus 1 0.1%
2008 Taurus 4 0.6%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2009 Taurus 2 0.3%

Median failure at 1,800 miles

2010 Taurus 2 0.3%

Median failure at 1,885 miles

2011 Taurus 14 2.0%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

2012 Taurus 12 1.7%

Median failure at 6,500 miles

2013 Taurus 9 1.3%

Median failure at 12,161 miles

2014 Taurus 13 1.9%

Median failure at 62,250 miles

2015 Taurus 4 0.6%

Median failure at 39,750 miles

2016 Taurus 1 0.1%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

2017 Taurus 4 0.6%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2018 Taurus 1 0.1%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2019 Taurus 1 0.1%

Median failure at 35,600 miles

What owners said

2013 Ford Taurus Poplar Bluff, MO

EXTERIOR 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 complaint #11695650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Taurus Alexandria, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. NOT PARK LIGHTS JUST HEADLIGHTS. HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY HOME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY SAID MY VIN DIDNOT HAVE A RECALL. IT WAS SOME 2015 BUT NOT MINE. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY. MY 2015 WORK CRUISER IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WHICH IS A FORD EXPLORER. I NEVER HAD A CAR OLDER FORDS AND OTHERS THAT HAVE FAULTY HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. I CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT BUT TWO.

NHTSA complaint #11639087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Ford Taurus Oklahoma City, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

An electrical or computer component failed, frequently causing my rear back up camera to go out. I couldn't tell that both of my headlights to stop functioning at the same time (because all of my interior lighting adjustments were still functioning, and because I was in a well light area initially) until I was on the highway, after dark, with my child in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11574615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Taurus at 86,000 miles Boca Raton, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon being pulled over by local police, he became aware that his rear license plate lamp was out. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard wind noise in the interior of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, he became aware that the rear driver's side door latch mechanism failed to secure the door closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failures, the contact related them to NHTSA Campaign Number 20V331000 (Exterior Lighting) and NHTSA Campaign Number 14V285000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages), but the VIN was not included in either recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #11546973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Taurus Mccalla, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This vehicle was sold to me with a not for sale in states requiring California emissions, no governor on the vehicle as well faulty lighting mechanisms. The fuel pump is fluctuating and the car is a danger to myself and those around me. I consulted with a independent licensed mechanic who confirmed these defaults. No warning lights no messages and the dealer did not point out these flaws. I discovered this issue after getting some routine maintenance done on the vehicle

NHTSA complaint #11528090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Taurus at 84,131 miles Boca Raton, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to close fully. The contact also noticed corrosion inside the license plate light. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V285000 (Exterior Lighting) and Manufacturer Recall Number: 20S30/15S16/16S30 however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,131.

NHTSA complaint #11527222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Ford Taurus Provo, UT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Without any warning or warning lights the electronic power steering system failed, and the turn signal will not remain on unless held manually (new problem that started when the power steering failed). It is very hard to turn without it, and I am a strong man, it's nearly impossible to turn with one hand so the turn signal can also be operated. Only 39000 miles on the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11512125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford Taurus West Sacramento, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I bought a 2007 ford Taurus SEL from a dealership Oct ,2020 3 months after having we pulling up to a stop light and it was like the car wanted to take off by it's self and then when the light turned green we started to drive and it just shut off in the middle of traffic we had to get out and push it to the side almost got hit by the car behind us and the on coming cars I've had it serviced for tune and oil changes fuil system flush everything and they can never find anything wrong with it but a miscellaneous leak that they can not find where it's coming from and now we'll first in Sept we came home one day ate dinner then we were going to go to movies we got in the car and the car would not start the alarm sound then everything went dim and auto theft blinked and car shut off we tried starting it it would not start finally got a jump it started and a little bit and then in on November 3rd we went to leave again and it would not start it was making a ticking sound then we had to get a jump and it start and we got in the car left got around the corner then all the lights on dash board like flashed and everything went dark and car shut off had to get it jumped it started but lights never came back on and so we took it to shop next day told them what happened they could not find nothing wrong and then December 15 same thing and then long story short we had it hooked up to machine and they said something about ptu at the shop I don't know what's going on I did some research of my own and there seems to be alot of simulator issues with other people's Taurus as well

NHTSA complaint #11499856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Taurus at 74,000 miles Conyers, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to actuate as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift out of park(P) into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch or wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V106000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA complaint #11460786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Taurus at 177,000 miles Birmingham, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the vehicle was turned off, the exterior lights remained operational and the battery was drained the following day. The contact stated that the failure happened over several days. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA complaint #11451923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Taurus at 35,600 miles Yardley, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2019 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INADEQUATE AND CREATED A VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER FRED BEANS FORD OF LANGHORNE (1939 LINCOLN HWY, LANGHORNE, PA 19047) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT FOUND NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,600.

NHTSA complaint #11390569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Taurus at 72,000 miles Newburg, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PERIODICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AJAR ON DASHBOARD ON ALL THE TIME WHICH MAKES DOME LIGHT STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11388524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Taurus at 65,000 miles Raleigh, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD CONDENSATION INSIDE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WITH TORRENTIAL RAINS TWO WEEKS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT TOOK ON AN INCH AND A HALF OF WATER INSIDE THE COVER, AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAD INCREASED CONDENSATION TO OBSCURE THE WHOLE COVER. THE CAR IS COMMONLY PARKED OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT (URBAN AREA) WHEN NOT IN USE. DATES ARE APPROXIMATE, AND I'VE PUT THE CAR IN THE AAA SHOP TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED (BIG EXPENSE, AS THE CAR'S OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE!)

NHTSA complaint #11376296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford Taurus at 145,525 miles Blandford, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE PLATE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. IT HAPPENS EVERY MONTH. FOUND A RECALL REFERENCE # 14V285000. DEALER SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY AM I NOT COVERED.

NHTSA complaint #11375570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford Taurus Fremont, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11362300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Ford Taurus at 35,000 miles Columbus, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERMAIN FORD OF COLUMBUS (7250 SAWMILL RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO SEE APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 FEET AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA complaint #11350320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford Taurus at 118,136 miles Liberty, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE USING THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,136.

NHTSA complaint #11329588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Ford Taurus at 40,000 miles Willard, OH

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 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.

NHTSA complaint #11328847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Taurus at 88,000 miles Pasco, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND WILL STAY ON 2-3 HOURS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED.

NHTSA complaint #11307594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford Taurus Southport, NC

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 TO THE TURN. I AM PUTTING A DATE IN BELOW ONLY BECAUSE IT IS REQUIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11283180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Taurus problems