2001 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2001 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2001 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 583 complaints 2014: 228 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints 2019
2001: 1037 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931565
1994931
19951208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201278
2013583
2014228
2015267
201679
201744
201847
201915

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 55%

55% of complaints: suspension — 566 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and rear.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 99 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A COFFEE SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120313

MY PARENTS WERE GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120312

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A GARAGE USING IDLE SPEED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND THEN INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE STRUCK SEVERAL ITEMS IN THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20010626

SERVICE BRAKES 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes — 98 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

WAS INFORMED BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING, THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTATED COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK SO INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE SWITCH WHICH WORKED FOR LESS THEN AN HOUR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180605

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO VEHICLE ACCIDENT. A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I STRUCK HIS RIGHT SIDE WITH MY FRONT. NEITHER FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021101

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55MPH HAD A ACCIDENT THE CAR SPUN AROUND 3 TIMES AND HIT A TREE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20021002

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. ENTIRE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED, BUT NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010321

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 62 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000911 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH (ISO-FIX ANCHOR) FASTENERS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESIDUAL TORQUE. THE ANCHORS ARE SECURED TO THE FLOOR PAN WITH A REINFOR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND RE-INSTALL THE BRACKET NUT USING A TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL (RED LOCTITE). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL

Campaign 00V240000 — check if this car was fixed

2001 — complaint volume: 1037
R 20010306 — equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPED

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OWNER GUIDE INSERTS REVISED TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THEIR OWNER GUIDES. CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT IF

Campaign 00V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010319 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER SEDANS WITH FACTORY OR DEALER-INSTALLED DECK LID SPOILERS WITH LED CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMPS (CHMSL). VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH SPOILERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MARC

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER/RESISTOR ASSEMBLY AT THE SPOILER THAT PROVIDES AN ELECTRICAL RESISTOR TO GROUND AND CORRECTS THE CHMSL AND BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK CONDITIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAR

Campaign 01V048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010322 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZ

Campaign 01V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010504 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TONGUE MAY NOT FULLY EJECT FROM THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PUSHED SLOWLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO RESULT IN A PARTIA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE D

Campaign 01V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010820 — visibility

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS

Campaign 01V258000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020315 — PE (closed 20021022)

BRAKE/ACCEL PEDAL SEPARATION

R 20020913 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE S

Campaign 02V266000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030106 — PE (closed 20030702)

FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH

I 20030702 — EA (closed 20040623)

FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH

I 20031023 — RQ (closed 20040305)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

I 20031031 — RP (closed 20040323)

BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION

R 20040405 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWN

Campaign 04V106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050110 — suspension

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 15

Campaign 04V332000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050927 — PE (closed 20060124)

REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20060124 — EA (closed 20070205)

REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20121024 — PE (closed 20130626)

Speed control cable damage

R 20160526 — service brakes, hydraulic

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,...

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.

Campaign 16E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (566 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (99 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (98 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V240000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V396000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V048000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V078000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V144000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V258000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V266000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V106000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V332000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 Ford Taurus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Taurus?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Taurus have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.