Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I entered the highway accelerating normally to blend in with traffic in the right travelling lane. Within seconds the car accelerated on its' own up to any alarming rate of speed. I slammed on brakes- nothing happened. Attempted to put car in neutral- nothing happened. I could not steer the car as it was going at least 100mph. I weaved between 3 lanes of traffic before hitting a car's bumper and flipping over 2-3 times and landed upright in the ditch in the medium. I was awake the entire time- in sheer terror. Had I not been wearing a seatbelt I likely would have been killed. The car was totaled. To my knowledge this 2004 Ford Taurus 24vt has had many other accidents and Ford motor co. Has not issued a recall. This is inexcusable!
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Ford Taurus. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. Immediately after the crash, the vehicle independently shifted into drive. The contact attempted to engage the brakes; however, they failed to respond. The contact's vehicle sideswiped another vehicle on the passenger side before crashing into an embankment and tree stumps. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure the failure mileage was 52,728. Updated 03/24/17
I was driving down a county road going 50 MPH when I tried to brake the car kept accelerating and the rpms were high. I tried to brake but it was as if my brakes were out but I know they were fine. I kept speeding up so I hit the emergency brake and pushed brake put it in neitral but the rpms seemed to go higher. I quickly just put it in park while still moving n rpms high. Csar made a loud sound and jerked to a stop gave me whip lash there was no casrs on the road I was in the country. But as I stopped I just parked tryiung to figure out what to do . Was very shaken up so I had to park for awhile. After about 30 minutes of parking and calling everyone about my near death experience I started it up and drove 10 MPH hoime. Had it looked at by a self employed mechanic I know.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle's brake lights remained illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed causing the battery to fail at times. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from park to drive when depressing the vehicle's brake pedal properly. The brake lights were no longer operable. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16e026000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The vehicle continued to accelerate when the brake pedal was depressed. In addition, the vehicle was idling while in park. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cause of the failure was undetermined. The technician repaired the fuel injection, cabin air filter, idle control valve, and the butterfly valve. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,272.
Reported earlier today under confirmation #11252283 about trying to move the gearshift from park into drive so car can be driven. Now gearshift still not working and remaining in park but also the brake lights and headlights refuse to shut off. The battery had to be disconnected so the brake lights wouldn't drain the battery dead. Now the mechanic is saying there's a recall on the brake stoplight switch on this 2004 Ford Taurus.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. While driving 35 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V106000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,938.
The column shift does not move out of park. The problem has been traced to a faulty brake light switch. While there is a recall - 04V106000 - for this issue, it only goes up to the 2003 model year. My vehicle is a 2004 and has the same problem.
Brake switch, no recall for 2004 model, but recall for 2001. My 2004 Taurus is doing the exact same thing as the 2001 brake switch, which causes the inability to move your car out of park and your brake lights do not work.
I took the vehicle to southgate Ford on March 15, 2013, to have them analyze the check engine light which came on during the week. I drive only a few miles per week but didn't want to take a chance with this warning. Southgate Ford turned me away on Friday afternoon to return on Monday, March 18th stating: "they are too busy and the check engine light is of little concern and to return on Monday". Within 2 miles of leaving the dealership heading north on fort street, I was unable to bring the 2004 Ford Taurus to a stop at a red light. The Taurus engine raced and roared at over 4,000 rpms and reached speeds between 45 and 50 miles per hour. I tried to brake with one foot and then two feet. The brakes could not bring the Taurus to a stop and it felt like the brakes were pushing back toward me. …
Brake complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Ford Taurus, 7% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Taurus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Ford Taurus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Taurus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.