VehicleVerdict

2010 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2010 Ford Taurus sits mid-pack among Taurus years: 274 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 415, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 31 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (47), steering (40), and transmission (36), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

274

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

31

Injuries

6

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 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: 274 complaints2011: 251 complaints2012: 100 complaints2013: 749 complaints2014: 295 complaints2015: 333 complaints2016: 97 complaints2017: 52 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 15 complaints
Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4717%
Steering4015%
Transmission3613%
Brakes3412%
Electrical System259%
Speed Control238%
Other155%
Airbags114%
Fuel System104%
Body & Structure104%
Seats73%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Tires & Wheels41%
Suspension31%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2010 Ford Taurus have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V247000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 695 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

15V040000Body & StructureJanuary 28, 2015 · 194,889 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence

If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

14V285000LightingMay 29, 2014 · 183,425 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.

Consequence

This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE INTERIOR FILLED UP WITH SMOKE, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE WHERE IN A FEW MOMENTS THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 20, 2020 · fire

“ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST STOPPED WORKING HIT MAIL BOX 2011 AND UP HAS A RECALL ?WHAT ABOUT 2010 AND OLDER? YES I WAS IN MOTION ,AND I WAS ON A CITY STREET WENT INTO A TURN NO POWER STEERING BY THE TIME I KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPEN I HAD STRUCK A MAIL BOX IF I HAD BEEN ON THE MOUNTAIN I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 10, 2019 · crash

“I PULLED UP TO MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND CROSSED BACK IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME IT DROVE FORWARD ALMOST HITTING ME THEN HITTING THE HOUSE. THE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN PARK. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 7, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 10, 2025 · crash

“THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT COVER WHILE MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. SHE VEERED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY (I-75) AND EXITED THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD IT TO A FORD DEALER AND DOCUMENTED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 17, 2014 · fire

2010 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2010 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 274 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2010 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (47 complaints), steering (40 complaints), transmission (36 complaints).

Does the 2010 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.