Most common 2010 Ford Taurus problems
Share of the 204 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Taurus complaints by model year
Best Taurus years: 2019, 2017, 2016. Years to avoid: 2005, 2013, 2002, 1995, 2000. Compare all years →
2010 Ford Taurus recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.
Structure › Body › Door
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015.
Exterior lighting
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey,…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673.
What 2010 Ford Taurus owners say
Engine & cooling all 48 →
5 April 2022 my 2010 Taurus SEL 3.5L engine overheated unexpectedly and the temp warning light came on my way home. I let it cool down during a heavy rain before heading home. I left the vehicle at a gas station for a couple of hours and return to bring it home (3 miles). Temp gage remain steady (3 miles) until it was parked on my driveway. The next day, I conducted an assessment to the cooling system. Reservoir was completely empty and my oil deep stick level was higher than normal 1 inch above max range. It showed coolant contamination. I read several reports about a flaw with the internal water pump design. If indeed is a flaw design or pump manufacture defect, why Ford Motor Company hasn't fix the issue or provided a solution to alleviate this flaw? Now I have to incur on major engine repairs or replacement, in which I am not sure if it is cost effective. Current mileage 171,424
O2 System failed. System checked. The service light is still on. Agents assisted with inspecting. Dealership had the vehicle non-recall. Seat belt light appeared and Agent was contacted. System is collected for revisiting my claim.
Steering all 41 →
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the advanced traction warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the EPS replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was transferred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while making a right turn, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact stated that the "Power Steering Assist Failure" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Transmission & drivetrain all 36 →
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated on its own at high speed without any warning, causing the vehicle to airborne and struck his neighbor's home. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact's wife had severe injuries and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed but the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle started shaking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission intermediate clutch piston to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with Manufacturer Communications Number: 10B14, however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,254.
2010 Ford Taurus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Ford Taurus a good car?
Based on 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Taurus rates better than average: 52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Taurus at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Ford Taurus?
The engine & cooling — 48 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the steering (41) and transmission & drivetrain (36).
How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Taurus have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2010 Ford Taurus, the most recent from April 26, 2016 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Taurus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2017 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2013, 2002, 1995 and 2000. See the full Ford Taurus years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Taurus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.