MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford Taurus

● Typical for this model
2004 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
375
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 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: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 375 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 375 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 375 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

2004: 375 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
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% · 166 reports

Most commonly citing cables and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2012-06-28

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, 2012-05-07

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, 2012-03-12

Power train

20% · 74 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and starter assembly.

FIRE

Service brakes

7% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

7% · 25 reports
CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-07-20Seats04V330000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2006-12-04Defect petitionClosed 2007-12-28 Engine stalling ffv
  3. I
    2012-03-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-10-22 Stuck throttle
  4. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 166 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 74 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V330000 · Seats
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.