2018 Ford Taurus Problems & Complaints

Better than average79% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Taurus at the same age

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 2018 Ford Taurus with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 79% fewer than a typical Taurus model year at the same age, making the 2018 one of the better Taurus years. The most reported problem area is the driver assistance (15 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

52complaints
4recalls
3crashes
1fires
6injuries
0deaths

Most common 2018 Ford Taurus problems

  • Driver assistance~60,000 miles
    1529%
  • Body & structure~60,000 miles
    1121%
  • Other / not specified~9,000 miles
    917%
  • Engine & cooling~105,000 miles
    713%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~85,000 miles
    713%
  • Electrical system~50,000 miles
    713%
  • Suspension~44,000 miles
    713%
  • Brakes~155,000 miles
    24%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    24%
  • Seat belts~9,000 miles
    12%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~6,000 miles
    12%
  • Lights~35,000 miles
    12%
  • Steering~155,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 52 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 →

2018 Ford Taurus recalls (4)

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-695 · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 vehicles

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

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.

What 2018 Ford Taurus owners say

Driver assistance

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera display failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the image appeared and then disappeared. The message that the rear-view camera was unavailable was displayed. Occasionally, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted image, and the failure was intermittent. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was informed that parts were not available. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

135,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the passenger's side B-pillar trim had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An appointment was scheduled by the manufacturer to another local dealer, Gengras Ford Service (225 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062), where the dealer requested to keep the vehicle overnight to inspect, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a ticket. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

50,000 miles · Jul 2025

Body & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the B-pillar trim had detached from the vehicle. The contact purchased a replacement trim, and the dealer, Clay Maxey Chevrolet, Inc. (1413 Hwy 62 E, Mountain Home, AR 72653); replaced the trim. The dealer was contacted and stated that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. A second dealer was contacted, Morlan - Shell Ford Inc, (1824 Porter Wagoner Blvd, West Plains, MO 65775); confirmed that the part was not yet available. The second dealer informed the contact that several other vehicle owners had been waiting for the recall repair since 2024. …

60,000 miles · Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the passenger's side B-pillar trim had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An appointment was scheduled by the manufacturer to another local dealer, Gengras Ford Service (225 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062), where the dealer requested to keep the vehicle overnight to inspect, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a ticket. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

50,000 miles · Jul 2025

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a significant puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon checking the fluid reservoirs, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle, but the coolant leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to Fast Lane, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced, and the contact was informed that the warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and was taken back to the residence. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

105,000 miles · May 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at the independent mechanic for the oil change. While riding the bus, on the way home they mechanic called the contact to inform them that the vehicle had caught fire and the engine had burned while in their parking lot. The fire possibly originated from the battery, per the mechanic center however the contact mentioned the battery was recently replaced with a new battery. The contact had not been able to retrieve the vehicle and was unsure if the vehicle was totaled. The dealer had been reaching out to the contact to offer a trade-in or buy-back option. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Sep 2025 · fire

2018 Ford Taurus engines & fuel economy

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

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Ford Taurus a good car?

Based on 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Taurus rates better than average: 79% 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 2018 Ford Taurus?

The driver assistance — 15 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sensing system › camera. Next are the body & structure (11) and engine & cooling (7).

How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Taurus have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2018 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 2018 Ford Taurus problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 36% 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.