MYRModel Year Report

Ford Taurus — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

11 model years to avoid, 5 to watch and 14 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid11 years

Caution5 years

Best bets14 years

Complaint history

1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1983: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 104 complaints, Recommended 1986 1987: 259 complaints, Recommended 1988: 341 complaints, Recommended 1989: 570 complaints, Caution 1990: 392 complaints, Recommended 1991: 659 complaints, Caution 1992: 694 complaints, Caution 1993: 1,565 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 931 complaints, Avoid 1995: 1,208 complaints, Avoid 1996: 825 complaints, Avoid 1997: 770 complaints, Avoid 1998: 545 complaints, Caution 1999: 874 complaints, Avoid 2000: 1,195 complaints, Avoid 2001: 1,037 complaints, Avoid 2001 2002: 1,426 complaints, Avoid 2003: 1,223 complaints, Avoid 2004: 375 complaints, Recommended 2005: 774 complaints, Avoid 2006: 318 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 149 complaints, Recommended 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2009: 64 complaints, Recommended 2010: 204 complaints, Recommended 2011: 187 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 79 complaints, Recommended 2013: 584 complaints, Caution 2014: 229 complaints, Recommended 2015: 271 complaints, Recommended 2016: 81 complaints, Recommended 2016 2017: 44 complaints, Recommended 2018: 47 complaints, Recommended 2019: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1993 · 1,565
1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1983: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1984: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 104 complaints, Recommended 1987: 259 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 341 complaints, Recommended 1989: 570 complaints, Caution 1990: 392 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 659 complaints, Caution 1992: 694 complaints, Caution 1993: 1,565 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 931 complaints, Avoid 1995: 1,208 complaints, Avoid 1996: 825 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 770 complaints, Avoid 1998: 545 complaints, Caution 1999: 874 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 1,195 complaints, Avoid 2001: 1,037 complaints, Avoid 2002: 1,426 complaints, Avoid 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints, Avoid 2004: 375 complaints, Recommended 2005: 774 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 318 complaints, Recommended 2007: 149 complaints, Recommended 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 64 complaints, Recommended 2010: 204 complaints, Recommended 2011: 187 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 79 complaints, Recommended 2013: 584 complaints, Caution 2014: 229 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 271 complaints, Recommended 2016: 81 complaints, Recommended 2017: 44 complaints, Recommended 2017 2018: 47 complaints, Recommended 2019: 15 complaints, Not enough data 1993 · 1,565
1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1981 1983: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983 1984: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 104 complaints, Recommended 1987: 259 complaints, Recommended 1987 1988: 341 complaints, Recommended 1989: 570 complaints, Caution 1989 1990: 392 complaints, Recommended 1991: 659 complaints, Caution 1991 1992: 694 complaints, Caution 1993: 1,565 complaints, Avoid 1993 1994: 931 complaints, Avoid 1995: 1,208 complaints, Avoid 1995 1996: 825 complaints, Avoid 1997: 770 complaints, Avoid 1997 1998: 545 complaints, Caution 1999: 874 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 1,195 complaints, Avoid 2001: 1,037 complaints, Avoid 2001 2002: 1,426 complaints, Avoid 2003: 1,223 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 375 complaints, Recommended 2005: 774 complaints, Avoid 2005 2006: 318 complaints, Recommended 2007: 149 complaints, Recommended 2007 2008: 175 complaints, Recommended 2009: 64 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 204 complaints, Recommended 2011: 187 complaints, Recommended 2011 2012: 79 complaints, Recommended 2013: 584 complaints, Caution 2013 2014: 229 complaints, Recommended 2015: 271 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 81 complaints, Recommended 2017: 44 complaints, Recommended 2017 2018: 47 complaints, Recommended 2019: 15 complaints, Not enough data 2019 1993 · 1,565
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2019 ○ Not enough data 15 Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2018 ▲ Recommended 47 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2017 ▲ Recommended 44 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2016 ▲ Recommended 81 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2015 ▲ Recommended 271 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2014 ▲ Recommended 229 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2013 ◆ Caution 584 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2012 ▲ Recommended 79 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2011 ▲ Recommended 187 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 204 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ▲ Recommended 64 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ▲ Recommended 175 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ▲ Recommended 149 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ▲ Recommended 318 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2005 ■ Avoid 774 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2004 ● Recommended 375 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 1,223 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ■ Avoid 1,426 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2001 ■ Avoid 1,037 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2000 ■ Avoid 1,195 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1999 ■ Avoid 874 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1998 ◆ Caution 545 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ■ Avoid 770 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1996 ■ Avoid 825 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1995 ■ Avoid 1,208 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1994 ■ Avoid 931 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1993 ■ Avoid 1,565 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1992 ◆ Caution 694 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ◆ Caution 659 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1990 ● Recommended 392 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1989 ◆ Caution 570 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1988 ● Recommended 341 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 ▲ Recommended 259 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 ▲ Recommended 104 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1985 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1981 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

77

recalls on file across every Ford Taurus model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models