Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a deer. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing of the air bag failure. Also, while parking the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would roll and then stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the brake failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Ford Taurus. While driving at 15 MPH, the driver accidentally depressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger both sustained injuries that required medical attention. The driver of the vehicle suffered fatal injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 137,000.
On October 28,2005 I was vacationing in hilton head s.c. I rented a 2005 Ford Taurus from avis rental at the savannah georgia airport. On October 30, at approximately 10:40 am I was proceeding westbound on U.S. 278 toward highway 170. I was traveling approximately 50 - 55 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. At that time a 2002 Kia 4 door came off private property of the st. Gregorey's catholic church across the two westbound lanes. I activated the brakes and swerved to miss the vehicle however we collided. My vehicle hit theirs broadside at my estimate of 25 - 30 MPH at impact. The impact was to the front of my vehicle to the driver's side of their vehicle. At the time of the collision, the anti- lock brakes on my vehicle locked so I was unable to steer out of the path of the Kia. At the time of the collision neither the driver or passenger airbags deployed on my vehicle. …
Tl*- while driving the 2005 Ford Taurus at 20-25 MPH in icy conditions the contact's vehicle crashed on the front driver's side of the vehicle into a wall attempting to miss striking a second vehicle who had braked suddenly. After the vehicle struck the wall it continued to slide out of control and struck a third vehicle head on about 20 yards away, which was stationary because it was involved in another crash. The driver's side airbag did not deploy. Although the contact was wearing a seat belt, he was not sure if the pretensioner deployed. The vehicle sustained severe front end damage and was not operational. The contact was taken to the hospital with bruising. The contact has pictures and will receive the police report. The failure mileage and current were both 89000.
I have a 2005 Ford Taurus which is equipped with a "passenger airbag off" feature. According to the owner's manual, the car is supposed to determine if a child weighs enough for the airbag to be deployed and if not the airbag is supposed to be disabled and a light near the heat/air controls will light up stating "pass airbag off." this feature was one of the deciding factors when we purchased this vehicle. Recently I had an accident when my vehicle left the road striking a utility pole. The airbag deployed with my barely 60 pound daughter in the front seat. We all know that airbags are dangerous, however many parents depend on this special feature that is supposed to automatically turn off the airbag when their small child or carseat is in the front.
On October 25, 2013 I was driving down the highway, the accelerator took off on its own (it was like someone else was pushing the gas peddle) and I lost control of the vehicle. I hit the fence, then the car turned hit the tree until the car came to a stop. My whole driver side is pushed in, my windshield is cracked, the trunk flee up, my rear view mirror, the outside mirror, and head light is off. The hood is bent and the engine was on the ground. Known of the tires were flat. The air bags never deployed. I hit my face and chin on the stirring wheel. My ribs are bruised and my face is swollen. I chipped my tooth on the wheel. My baby was in the back seat, the inside seats fell down. She was not hurt thank god nothing major happen to us.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash and the passenger side air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was impacted in the front end on the driver's side. The passenger suffered injuries to the sternum and head area. The passengers in the vehicle were all wearing safety restraints which prohibited any further injuries. The police were at the scene and filed a written report. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company and deemed totaled.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70mph on the interstate the vehicle rear ended another vehicle and crashed into a guard rail. The airbag failed to deploy and the driver's seatbelt failed to restraint the occupant. The driver's head hit the windshield and head injuries were sustained. There was a police report filed at the scene. The vehicle has not been inspected.
I was involved in a rearend accident recently on hwy 4 e in pittsburgh near the loveridge freeway exit. My vehicle was hit at a speed hard enough to throw my body backwards then forward which caused my face to hit the steering wheel. This force caused a head injury, facial laceration, facial contusion etc. And the airbag never deployed.
Takata recall since moving to the extreme heat 6 years ago (arizona), when turning my wheel sharply at times, sounds like rocks rolling around internally. Trying to find out if this May be a Takata airbag. Called Ford today, and they cannot identify what airbag is in the vehicle with the VIN. Has there been other reports of this issue?
Airbag complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 774 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Taurus airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Ford Taurus. 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 2005 Ford Taurus airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 18 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.