2013 Ford Taurus
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 295 of 583 complaints (51%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 78 in 2012 to 583 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,100 | 2,850–3,100 | 2,500–3,100 | 2,400–3,100 | 2,400–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–22 | 20–22 | 20–25 | 20–26 | 20–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 25–28 | 17–18 / 24–28 | 17–22 / 25–31 | 17–22 / 25–32 | 17–22 / 25–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–444 | 404–444 | 350–446 | 347–446 | 347–450 | |
| Complaints filed | 187 | 78 | 583 | 229 | 271 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 1 | 20 | 13 | 12 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 0 | 25 | 9 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
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 2013 Ford Taurus have?
9 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 2013 Ford Taurus?
Steering: 295 of 583 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Taurus get?
EPA rates it 20–25 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Ford Taurus?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 426 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 446 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 426 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 395 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Large Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 396 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 350 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 74 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 44 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 107 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 57 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 295 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 28 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 27 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 (9)
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 20V072000 · Feb 11, 2020
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 16V621000 · Aug 25, 2016
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 15V812000 · Dec 2, 2015
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.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 15V340000 · Jun 2, 2015
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · Campaign 15V040000 · Jan 28, 2015
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 14V393000 · Jul 2, 2014
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 14V285000 · May 29, 2014
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · Campaign 13V270000 · Jun 28, 2013
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 13V227000 · Jun 3, 2013
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.