VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,005 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Taurus year — the 2005 model ranks #11 of 39 Taurus years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 40 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: speed control issues account for 54% of all reports (541 of 1,005), far ahead of transmission at 124.

1,005

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

62

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

40

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted2,206 complaints1977: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 150 complaints1987: 355 complaints1988: 462 complaints1989: 762 complaints1990: 542 complaints1991: 946 complaints1992: 1,009 complaints1993: 2,206 complaints1994: 1,284 complaints1995: 1,597 complaints1996: 1,132 complaints1997: 1,003 complaints1998: 680 complaints1999: 1,100 complaints2000: 1,497 complaints2001: 1,264 complaints2002: 1,759 complaints2003: 1,524 complaints2004: 482 complaints2005: 1,005 complaints2006: 415 complaints2007: 196 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 77 complaints2010: 280 complaints2011: 251 complaints2012: 100 complaints2013: 755 complaints2014: 296 complaints2015: 353 complaints2016: 103 complaints2017: 53 complaints2018: 67 complaints2019: 17 complaints
Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control54154%
Transmission12412%
Engine10811%
Fuel System414%
Brakes364%
Electrical System303%
Other283%
Airbags283%
Body & Structure222%
Visibility & Wipers131%
Steering71%
Suspension71%
Latches & Locks40%
Seat Belts40%
Tires & Wheels40%
Lighting40%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2005 Ford Taurus have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16E026000BrakesApril 1, 2016 · 49,635 units

Defect

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF THE BRAKES WERE NOT ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING IT AGAINST THE ACCELERATOR THE ACCELERATOR OR THE GRPM WAS OVER 3000 I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 28, 2019 · crash

“IT WAS RAINING... I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. PARKED AND WENT TO TURN OFF WIPERS. WOULD NOT TURN OFF, AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. I REMOVED FUSE. REPLACED FUSE... BEGAN TO SMOKE AGAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BLOWN. NOW I HAVE NOTICED THAT CAR IS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. TODAY I HAD A DIAGNOSIS DONE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2008 · fire

“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD TAURUS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON HIGH, HE HEARD A POP AND THEN SAW FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALL THE FIRE DEPT. THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE MECHANIC SAID THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CAR IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 24, 2012 · fire

“VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND KEPT GOING FASTER. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A COTTON FIELD. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ACCELERATION STUCK. TAPPING THE GAS PEDDLE WORKED THE FIRST TWO BUT NOT THE LAST TIME. IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DID SOMETHING TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 21, 2013 · crash

“VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND KEPT GOING FASTER. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A COTTON FIELD. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ACCELERATION STUCK. TAPPING THE GAS PEDDLE WORKED THE FIRST TWO BUT NOT THE LAST TIME. IT KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DID SOMETHING TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 21, 2013 · crash

2005 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Taurus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,005 complaints put the 2005 model at #11 of 39 Taurus years. It is one of the Taurus years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (541 complaints), transmission (124 complaints), engine (108 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford Taurus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Taurus years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Taurus years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.