Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
My 2010 has had several drive train issues. The trans has been fixed a few times which took many returns to the dealer before finding the issue. After that at times the car accelerates on it's own from a stop. It's done about 7-9 times. I took it to the dealer where I bought car and they can not duplicate the problem. 3-4 times it took me in to an interchange luckily no one was coming until yesterday. I left a restaurant and moved the car about 20 yards came to a stop and immediately it started to accelerate. I was only less than 10 feet from the road. I felt it starting to accelerate and pushed down harder on the brakes but car surged in to road and collided with another car. I know I'll have a problem with Ford on this...plus my insurance cost will sky rocket as well. I need help!!
Oil in ptu unit on AWD 2010 Ford Taurus sho vehicle gets overworked and over expands and leaks out of the top of the vent cap. The oil drips down onto the exhaust and burns off. The burning oil fumes are then sucked into the cabin via the HVAC system. The only way to keep the fumes from entering the vehicle cabin is to have the HVAC on recirculate. Ford claims that the ptu has a lifetime oil in it and that it should only be replaced if contaminated. Many consumers are reporting that they are pumping the oil out and replacing it with fresh oil in 25K to 35K intervals. My vehicle has 100,000 miles on it and 1 ptu was replaced under warranty for this issue and the replacement ptu is exhibiting the same issues as before when the 1st ptu failed. The inhalation hazard of burning oil fumes needs to be addressed by the manufacturer as it poses a serious health risk to occupants in the vehicle.
I bought this car used but after researhing the VIN I found that the previous owner had the same issues I am having. The car while driving will lose power and the tach will show a RPM drop in some cases of almost 1000 RPM. The car will lose power and at times and the tach will show the RPM jumping all over the place like the computer doesn't know what to do. Once I take my foot off the accelerator and put it back the car will start to act OK but at times I will hear a clunk from the under the car, the transmission going into gear. These issues occur at various speeds, from city driving to highway. Ford doesn't seem to be able to fix this as well as carmax.
While traveling through a red light on a state route, I began to accelerate. All dash lights came on. Engine sounded choked. Vehicle then would not accelerate traveling up hill. Forcing me to pull over immediately. After being towed to a Ford dealership for repairs, was advised the engine needed replaced. Dealership service stated the water pump failed releasing coolant into the engine, damaging the engine permanently. Traveling this roadway is usually a semi route to a major highway and factories. Semis do not slow down or stop as quickly as a car and could have caused a fatal accident do to the abrupt pull over that was necessary due to the malfunction.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The vehicle was equipped with a "push start" switch. The vehicle was turned off with the gear shift placed in the "drive" position and suddenly, the vehicle rolled without warning. The failure occurred on four separate occasions. The contact had concerns of the potential safety hazard. The failure mileage was 1,500. Updated 6/1/10 the consumer stated the vehicle rolled forward and hit a parked vehicle, due to the park gear not engaging automatically. Updated 06/18/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. While driving 85 MPH, the vehicle force downshifted and caused the front end of the vehicle to contact the ground. The rear end of the vehicle lifted off the ground. The contact coasted to the right shoulder and placed the vehicle in drive, but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 71,200.
I pulled up to my daughters house, put the car in park and exited the vehicle. I knocked on the door and crossed back in front of the vehicle at which time it drove forward almost hitting me then hitting the house. The shifter was still in park.
This is the twin turbo v6 EcoBoost engine. This vehicle has had several transmission issues dating back to August 2011. First issue: car stumbled upon accelerating from a dead stop. Particularly unsafe when turning into traffic. One potentially serious event was a right turn I made from a stop light and the car came to a crawl. After having the car for more than a week, Ford "fixed" the problem but it recurred a month later. Next incident(s): transmission lunges and came out of gear and revved up. Again, Ford had the car for about 10 days. That was September 2011. October 18, 2011: car lost power on freeway and ran very rough. Car towed into Ford. The had to replace coils, plugs, and PCM. 9/14/2012: sunroof failed and would not close. Problem fixed under warranty. 8/16/2013: delivered the car to Ford because the transmission acting up once again. …
Transmission complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Ford Taurus, 18% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Taurus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Ford Taurus, though it has 3 recalls 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 2010 Ford Taurus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.