2006 Ford Taurus
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 176 of 318 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 774 in 2005 to 318 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,300 | 3,100–3,300 | 3,100 | 3,100 | 2,850–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–20 | 19–20 | 20 | 20 | 18–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–25 | 17–18 / 23–25 | 17–18 / 25 | 18 / 25 | 15–18 / 22–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–468 | 444–468 | 444 | 444 | 404–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 375 | 774 | 318 | 149 | 328 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 36 | 40 | 19 | 8 | 23 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 13 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 11 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 28 | 12 | 6 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Taurus have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Ford Taurus?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 176 of 318 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Taurus get?
EPA rates it 20 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Ford Taurus?
EPA estimates $3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Large Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 30 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 24 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 176 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS · Campaign 16E026000 · Apr 1, 2016
Defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Consequence: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 06V119000 · Apr 13, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'
Consequence: THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.
Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 05V520000 · Nov 15, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.