VehicleVerdict

2017 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2017 Ford Taurus is among the quieter years of the Taurus on NHTSA's books: 52 complaints (87% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (11), other (9), and body & structure (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

52

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1121%
Other917%
Body & Structure612%
Engine510%
Lighting48%
Suspension36%
Fuel System36%
Steering36%
Airbags24%
Driver Assistance24%
Speed Control12%
Latches & Locks12%
Brakes12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2017 Ford Taurus have recalls?

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

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.

18V141000Electrical SystemMarch 1, 2018 · 2,100 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence

If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.

17V530000SteeringAugust 28, 2017 · 253 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

Consequence

If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Backup camera is appearing Upside down on display and sometimes inverted. When it gets dark outside, the backup camera has lines appear on the display so you can’t use it when it’s dark. This is a huge safety risk as to having the camera display upside down/inverted/not clear can cause major…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 13, 2025

“Backup camera works inconsistently. Sometimes works but usually doesn’t and either displays an all blue screen or black screen with a box saying camera unavailable at this time and you have to select ok to make that screen go away. It’s been like this for about 2 years now ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 14, 2023

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for rear wheel alignment. The contact stated that rear toe link fractured during the rear alignment process. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 16, 2023

“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a fluid leak seen underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 1, 2023

“STARTED WITH THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT OUT. PROGRESSED TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND NEEDING REPLACED AND SOMETIMES THE PIG TAILS TO PLUG INTO THE HEADLIGHT NEEDING REPLACED DUE TO THEM MELTING. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND PIG TAILS THE WEEK OF 5/17/2020…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 12, 2019

2017 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2017 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 52 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2017 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), other (9 complaints), body & structure (6 complaints).

Does the 2017 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Ford Taurus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.