VehicleVerdict

2018 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2018 Ford Taurus is among the quieter years of the Taurus on NHTSA's books: 62 complaints (85% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (10), body & structure (9), and other (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

62

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Taurus years?

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1016%
Body & Structure915%
Other813%
Electrical System711%
Engine711%
Suspension610%
Transmission610%
Visibility & Wipers23%
Brakes23%
Steering12%
Lighting12%
Fuel System12%
Child Seat12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2018 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The apim has failed on my car. The dealer has confirmed that. The media console that controls heat/air, radio, rearview camera and car settings has failed. I can not use my rear view camera. It just seemed to fail randomly. One day the screen just shut off while driving.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 7, 2025

Rear back up camera when in reverse my screen will blink black then be normal. It will sometimes go blue or just stay black or camera not available it sometimes have half screen. It has not been inspected nor any faulty lights warnings besides one or 2 times of camera unavailable. I know there are…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at the independent mechanic for the oil change. While riding the bus, on the way home they mechanic called the contact to inform them that the vehicle had caught fire and the engine had burned while in their parking…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 13, 2025 · fire

When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 1, 2025

2018 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2018 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 62 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2018 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (10 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints), other (8 complaints).

Does the 2018 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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 2018 Ford Taurus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 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.