MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford Taurus

● Typical for this model
2004 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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, 2004 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 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 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
2004: 375 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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 44%

44% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 166 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cables and accelerator pedal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE THROTTLE STICKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP, IT SUDDENLY REVS UP. MUST THEN STOMP ON THE BRAKES AND TRY TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL. USUALLY CAN CATCH IT HOWEVER, 2 DAYS AGO ENDED UP REAR ENDING SOMEONE. THE FRONT END OF MY CAR IS DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120628

TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND THROUGH A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE STUCK A SUPPORT PILLAR IN FRONT OF A PIZZA HUT RESTAURANT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120507

WHILE LEAVING A PVA, GAS PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND STUCK CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP, HAD NO CONTROL OVER CAR, CROSSED ROAD INTO ANOTHER PVA AND HIT 3 CARS AND HIT 2 CONCRETE PILLARS WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND CAUSED A DEATH TO THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120312

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 74 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and starter assembly.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040720 — seats

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Campaign 04V330000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20061204 — DP (closed 20071228)

ENGINE STALLING FFV

I 20120307 — PE (closed 20121022)

Stuck throttle

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

2004 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (166 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (74 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V330000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford Taurus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Taurus is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Taurus?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Taurus have?

2 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.