Most common 2016 Ford Taurus problems
Share of the 85 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 →
2016 Ford Taurus recalls (4)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.
Structure › Exterior trim
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension › Rear
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017.
What 2016 Ford Taurus owners say
Driver assistance all 29 →
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V611000 (Structure) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), the back over prevention screen turned off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was confirmed that the parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that after visiting the car wash on several occasions, and the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger's and driver's door trims had detached. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the passenger's side door exterior B-Pillar trim was detaching. Additionally, while in reverse(R), the rearview camera displayed a blue image or the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed on the screen. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and became aware that the VIN was also included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, added coolant to the vehicle, and allowed the engine to cool down. The vehicle was taken to a Walmart, where the contact was informed that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and Goodwill Assistance could be considered. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coolant pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
my vehicle's oil lines to the turbo charger failed and caused a huge oil leak and my car was smoking all over the highway. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service station recommended by AAA. After discovering the issue, the repairman indicated there was a recall on this exact issue. However, I was never notified by Ford of the recall. When I called Ford I was informed that the recall only applied to vehicles built between Oct and Nov 2016. My vehicle was built in April. I feel that this issue couldn't have been limited to that small window of time, obviously Ford is not sharing the appropriate information with NHSTA. I had to pay $3000 to fix my vehicle for a problem that Ford is well aware this vehicle is still having. I'm deeply disappointed in Ford.
Steering
Steering didn't work correctly which led to brakes not doing what I needed which led to slamming into a cement edge at a freeway exit or entrance. Seat belts locked up. Air bags did not deploy. Front passenger tire flat. Car towed next day. Ford dealership did NOTHING even when it was discovered Ford sold us a car with a FLAT spare tire (donut). Dealership said no recalls, but coverup or fixed but not correctly previously? Car purchased used. Ford dealership said to go to body shop. Body shop couldn't do anything unless we paid $6,000.00 to get the seat belts replaced. That's 1/3 the price financed for the car!!!! Safety put at risk: flat spare tire & seat belts locked up. The dealership SAID nothing wrong with brakes & steering according to their electronic diagnosis. Didn't even LOOK at brakes & steering. 2 incidents total so far with brakes & steering. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts, and the battery was replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that soon after the battery replacement, while attempting to make a U-turn, the steering wheel seized with the "Power Steering Assist" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact stated that a Mobile mechanic arrived at the scene and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be reset after the battery was replaced. The contact stated that five days after the vehicle was reset, the failure recurred. The contact called the same Mobile mechanic who had performed the reset and was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
2016 Ford Taurus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford Taurus a good car?
Based on 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Taurus rates better than average: 86% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Taurus at the same age. It is one of the best Taurus years by this measure. 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 2016 Ford Taurus?
The driver assistance — 29 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sensing system › camera. Next are the engine & cooling (14) and steering (9).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Taurus have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2016 Ford Taurus, the most recent from October 13, 2025 (camera). 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 2016 Ford Taurus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 46% 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.