VehicleVerdict

2011 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Ford Taurus sits mid-pack among Taurus years: 251 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 418, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 20 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (52), engine (49), and steering (25), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

251

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

20

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Taurus years?

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5221%
Engine4920%
Steering2510%
Transmission187%
Speed Control156%
Other156%
Lighting146%
Brakes135%
Body & Structure125%
Airbags83%
Tires & Wheels73%
Seats62%
Suspension62%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Fuel System42%
Driver Assistance21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2011 Ford Taurus have recalls?

4 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.

15V340000SteeringJune 2, 2015 · 393,623 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

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.

SOME OF THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL A CONSTANT BURNING SMELL. THE FRAME WAS BENT AS WELL!!! THERE ARE LIGHT THAT CONSTANTLY APPEAR FOR WORK TO BE DONE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 10, 2014 · crash

I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TAURUS SEL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED ON ITS OWN HEAD ON INTO A WALL AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ($11,000+ IN DAMAGES - THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 12, 2011 · crash

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS HEADED SOUTH DOWN A CITY STREET CAME UP TO MY RIGHT TURN ONTO ANOTHER CITY STREET. AFTER I MADE THE TURN WHEN I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL OUT THE RIGHT ONE CUT STRAIGHT TO THE RIGHT I WAS FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT WOULD NOT LET ME TURN IT. THIS CAUSED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 21, 2017 · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle had independently surged forward without warning. In all three incidents, the contact either hit another vehicle or an object due to the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle would…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 25, 2022 · crash

MY TRUNK LEAKED ONCE IN 2017 SOAKING LEGAL PAPERWORK. FOUND SOURCE OF LEAK THROUGH FAULTY GASKETS, USED SILICONE AND PERFORMED MY OWN WATER TEST WITH HOSE. FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT LEAKED THROUGH RUBBER GASKET. I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MY CAR AND REPORTED ALL THIS TO FORD BUT WAS TOLD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 3, 2020 · crash

2011 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2011 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 251 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2011 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (52 complaints), engine (49 complaints), steering (25 complaints).

Does the 2011 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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.

How safe is the 2011 Ford Taurus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Ford Taurus earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.