VehicleVerdict

2016 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2016 Ford Taurus is among the quieter years of the Taurus on NHTSA's books: 97 complaints (77% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (24), engine (14), and other (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

97

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2425%
Engine1414%
Other1212%
Steering99%
Fuel System77%
Electrical System66%
Suspension55%
Airbags44%
Brakes44%
Body & Structure44%
Seat Belts33%
Transmission33%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2016 Ford Taurus have recalls?

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

25V695000Driver AssistanceOctober 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence

A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

25V611000Body & StructureSeptember 12, 2025 · 101,944 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence

Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.

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.

16V925000EngineDecember 22, 2016 · 1,163 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

Consequence

An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I turned left after stopping at a four-way stop sign intersection. I crashed into a parked car waiting its turn but I did not see until I was upon it and it was too late to swerve away. My car's air bags inflated. My wrist was broken. My car was declared totaled by my insurer although I could not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 9, 2022 · crash

“I WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PROCEEDED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO A STRIP MALL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. THIS TIME OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 27, 2019 · crash

“I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO A STRONG SMELL OF PROPANE/NATURAL GAS. THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THE SMELL WAS REALLY BAD BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT SHE COULDN'T GET ME IN UNTIL TUESDAY. I BUCKLED MY 2 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR SEAT AND LEFT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 20, 2017 · fire

“Steering didn't work correctly which led to brakes not doing what I needed which led to slamming into a cement edge at a freeway exit or entrance. Seat belts locked up. Air bags did not deploy. Front passenger tire flat. Car towed next day. Ford dealership did NOTHING even when it was discovered…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 4, 2025 · crash

“THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE FAILED, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO START, STEER, OR BRAKE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED BUT NOT MOVING. IT STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO START AGAIN. I KNOW THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. I HAVE REPAIR INVOICES, BUT AM CURRENTLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 1, 2020

2016 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2016 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 97 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (24 complaints), engine (14 complaints), other (12 complaints).

Does the 2016 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 Ford Taurus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.