Ford Taurus years to avoid
The Ford Taurus years to avoid are 1993, 2002, 1995, 2003, 2000, 1994, 2001, 1996, 1999, 1992, 2005, 1997, 1991, 1989, 2013, 1998, 1990 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1983 is the cleanest year on record.
23,926
Total complaints
77
Recall campaigns
1977–2019
Years covered
17
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Taurus years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 2,206 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 1,759 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 1,597 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 1,524 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 1,497 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 1,284 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 1,264 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 1,132 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 1,100 | |
| 1992 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,009 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,005 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 1,003 | |
| 1991 | High complaints + open investigation | 946 | |
| 1989 | High complaint rate | 762 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 749 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 680 | |
| 1990 | Open safety investigation | 542 |
Every Taurus year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 62 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 52 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 97 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 333 | 6 | |
| 2014 | 295 | 5 | |
| 2013avoid | 749 | 9 | |
| 2012 | 100 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 251 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 274 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 77 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 240 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 196 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 415 | 3 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,005 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 482 | 2 | |
| 2003avoid | 1,524 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 1,759 | 4 | |
| 2001avoid | 1,264 | 10 | |
| 2000avoid | 1,497 | 8 | |
| 1999avoid | 1,100 | 7 | |
| 1998avoid | 680 | 4 | |
| 1997avoid | 1,003 | 5 | |
| 1996avoid | 1,132 | 8 | |
| 1995avoid | 1,597 | 6 | |
| 1994avoid | 1,284 | 5 | |
| 1993avoid | 2,206 | 8 | |
| 1992avoid | 1,009 | 6 | |
| 1991avoid | 946 | 5 | |
| 1990avoid | 542 | 8 | |
| 1989avoid | 762 | 7 | |
| 1988 | 462 | 6 | |
| 1987 | 355 | 9 | |
| 1986 | 150 | 9 | |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Ford Taurus years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Taurus years to avoid are 1993, 2002, 1995, 2003, 2000, 1994, 2001, 1996, 1999, 1992, 2005, 1997, 1991, 1989, 2013, 1998, 1990. The cleanest year on record is 1983.
What is the best year for the Ford Taurus?
By complaint volume, 1983 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Taurus years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Ford Taurus have?
Across all model years, the Taurus has 77 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 23,926 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.