VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 749 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Taurus year — the 2013 model ranks #15 of 39 Taurus years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 293 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

749

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Taurus years?

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering29339%
Fuel System10714%
Electrical System7710%
Engine7610%
Transmission446%
Other365%
Suspension253%
Speed Control182%
Body & Structure122%
Airbags111%
Driver Assistance101%
Lighting91%
Brakes81%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Seat Belts71%
Tires & Wheels61%
Seats20%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2013 Ford Taurus have recalls?

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

20V072000SuspensionFebruary 10, 2020 · 211,207 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Consequence

A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

16V621000Fuel SystemAugust 25, 2016 · 77,502 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Consequence

A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

15V812000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 2015 · 868 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

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.

14V393000TransmissionJuly 2, 2014 · 83,250 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Consequence

If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

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.

13V270000Latches & LocksJune 26, 2013 · 12,569 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured November 29, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice.

Consequence

If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will test the safety locks. If necessary, the locks will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Ford's recall number is 13S07. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

13V227000Fuel SystemMay 31, 2013 · 390,783 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 50 MPH ALL OF SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL GAVE UP. IT WENT LEFT AND OUT TO EXIT UP CURVE. THE ELECTRIC ASSIST LIGHT WENT ON AND ALSO TRACTION LIGHT.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 29, 2019 · crash

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON ROADWAY WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY COMBUSTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER AREA WHERE THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP IS LOCATED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS BURNED AND CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS.*DT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 25, 2021 · fire

HAD ISSUES WITH LIGHTS NOT WORKING. TOOK IT TO GET IT FIXED. THEY "FIXED" IT. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. WENT BACK IN TO GET FIXED. LATER WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE BACK TRUNK CAUGHT ON FIRE. BUMPER WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TRUNK LID. ITEMS INSIDE WERE FINE. IF IT WAS BEING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 4, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE LEFT SHOULDER. WHILE ON THE SHOULDER, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 29, 2018 · crash

TAKATA RECALLI AM THE OWNER OF A 2013 FORD TAURUS THAT I BOUGHT IN 2016. IT WAS A 1 OWNER NO ACCIDENTS AND 36000 MILES ON IT. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS BY FORD OR THE DEALERSHIP. YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT WAS FIXED SO I CANNOT SEE WHAT RECALL OUT OF THE EIGHT IT HAS. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 10, 2017 · crash

2013 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford Taurus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 749 complaints put the 2013 model at #15 of 39 Taurus years. It is one of the Taurus years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (293 complaints), fuel system (107 complaints), electrical system (77 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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 2013 Ford Taurus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Ford Taurus earned an overall rating of 5 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.