2017 Ford Taurus Problems & Complaints

Better than average87% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Taurus at the same age

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 2017 Ford Taurus with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 87% fewer than a typical Taurus model year at the same age, making the 2017 one of the better Taurus years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (11 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

44complaints
4recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2017 Ford Taurus problems

  • Electrical system~38,000 miles
    1125%
  • Other / not specified~1,000 miles
    920%
  • Body & structure~55,000 miles
    716%
  • Engine & cooling~26,000 miles
    511%
  • Lights~40,000 miles
    49%
  • Steering~220,000 miles
    37%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    37%
  • Suspension~72,000 miles
    37%
  • Air bags~99,000 miles
    25%
  • Driver assistance~75,000 miles
    25%
  • Brakes~8,000 miles
    12%
  • Speed control & acceleration~26,000 miles
    12%
  • Locks & latches~5,000 miles
    12%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~48,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford Taurus complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’191.2k8257705458741.2k1.0k1.4k1.2k375774318149175642041877958522927985445218
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Taurus. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Taurus years: 2019, 2017, 2016. Years to avoid: 2005, 2013, 2002, 1995, 2000. Compare all years →

2017 Ford Taurus recalls (4)

Structure › Exterior trim

NHTSA recall 25V-611 · Sep 12, 2025 · 101,944 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 20V-072 · Feb 10, 2020 · 211,207 vehicles

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.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 18V-141 · Mar 1, 2018 · 2,100 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.

Steering

NHTSA recall 17V-530 · Aug 28, 2017 · 253 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

What 2017 Ford Taurus owners say

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she inadvertently removed the key from the ignition while the vehicle was still in drive. The vehicle began to roll, and the contact realized that she had forgotten to shift the vehicle into park. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 48,000.

48,000 miles · Jun 2023

I went to start the car and it would not roll over, acted as the battery had no charge. Opened the hood to attach jumper cables and seen smoke coming from the positive. Peeled back the red cover and seen there was a thick layer of blue corrosion caked all over the positive. The car was last driven within two hours prior. Last service was performed within 6 months. The acid ate through the clamp for the positive. The corrosion was removed and the battery was taken out. There are three small holes at the base of the positive knob where the acid came out. I researched online and found this is a common problem among Ford vehicles, specifically Taurus vehicles.

Sep 2021

Body & structure

The contact owns a Ford Taurus. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, the contact was informed that the B stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the driver's and passenger's side B-Pillar Applique trim was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts were on back order. The dontact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure) however the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was made awareof the failure and a case was filed. The ocntact was informed that the parts were unavailable. In addition, the contact was informed that there was not an attentative date available for the parts. …

32,000 miles · Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving in rainy weather at various speeds, there was water leaking into the vehicle from the front passenger's side B-pillar trims. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

55,000 miles · Aug 2025

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a fluid leak seen underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

17,000 miles · Mar 2023

As I was driving on the highway and trying to accelerate, when the car got to about 55 MPH the engine dropped down to about 10 miles per hour. It stayed there for what felt like 15 or more seconds. The first time was back in November. It happens in February as well

27,000 miles · Mar 2019

2017 Ford Taurus engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD20 / 29 / 23
3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD18 / 27 / 21
3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automaticAWD17 / 24 / 19
3.5L 6-cyl turbo6-speed automaticAWD16 / 24 / 19

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford Taurus a good car?

Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Taurus rates better than average: 87% 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 2017 Ford Taurus?

The electrical system — 11 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the body & structure (7) and engine & cooling (5).

How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Taurus have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2017 Ford Taurus, the most recent from September 12, 2025 (exterior trim). 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 2017 Ford Taurus problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 74% 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.