Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2018 | 7 | 13% | 50,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 25% | 38,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% | 85,000 miles |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% | 94,000 miles |
| 2014 | 29 | 13% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 59 | 10% | 76,000 miles |
| 2012 | 16 | 20% | 38,000 miles |
| 2011 | 47 | 25% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 19 | 9% | 41,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% | 2,000 miles |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% | 133,000 miles |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% | 55,000 miles |
| 2006 | 25 | 8% | 86,000 miles |
| 2005 | 28 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% | 104,000 miles |
| 2003 | 97 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 42 | 3% | 71,000 miles |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 62 | 5% | 87,000 miles |
| 1999 | 51 | 6% | 83,000 miles |
| 1998 | 34 | 6% | 103,000 miles |
| 1997 | 62 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 1996 | 57 | 7% | 85,000 miles |
| 1995 | 95 | 8% | 96,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined parking lot, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact engaged the electric parking brake, and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while parking the vehicle on an incline, requiring the electric parking brake to be engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with a recall due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 65,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 99,000. The contact stated that the seller's father was a dealer and had advised that the issue would be corrected; however, the contact was concerned about further fraudulent business practices.
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.
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.
I am writing to report an unresolved safety recall for my vehicle. I received Safety Recall Notice 25V695 in October 2025, and as of today, the recall has not been resolved because the required repair parts remain unavailable. This recall involves a safety-related defect, and the extended delay in providing a remedy raises serious safety concerns. I have contacted authorized dealerships, and I have been informed that parts are still on backorder with no estimated availability date. Given the amount of time that has passed since the recall notice was issued, I do not believe this recall has been addressed within a reasonable timeframe. The ongoing lack of an available repair increases the risk associated with operating the vehicle under normal conditions. …
The future that failed on my vehicle was the epas or electronic power assisted steering. This feature failed while I was on the freeway at upwards of 65 mph the steering wheel locked and I was unable to turn the steering wheel. After pulling off of the freeway at slow speeds I was able to give a, very hard like pull to the steering wheel in the direction that I needed it to go. When this feature failed the notification on my dash showed "electronic power assisted steering failure. Service required." Definitely is a danger not only to myself but other drivers on the road who could have been innocently impacted by my car as a failure to be able to steer in the correct direction. This issue is known on 2010 to 2018 Ford vehicles and has been recalled on only certain vehicles not upwards of 2015. Now I'm unable to use my vehicle as I'm not able to steer it.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after an oil change at a local dealer, the contact was informed that the auxiliary battery wiring harness was failing and needed to be replaced. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that this failure was a series of failures of the vehicle. The contact previously had the fuel pump and the fuel tank mounting bolts replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V605000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that she had not found a recall for the auxiliary battery wiring harness. The contact stated that the dealer had diagnosed the failure of the wiring harness but that the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated that the sound came from the passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound sounded like a gunshot. In addition, the radio independently turned off and on. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact had AFIB and stated that the sound was loud enough and could have caused the contact to have a heart attack. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for an upcoming diagnostic test in January 2026. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Certain passenger vehicles built for one specific fleet customer were modified for optional hands-free cellular phone operating capability. To provide this functionality, a special overlay wire harness was installed that inadvertently did not include the circuits for passenger air bag deactivation indicator (padi) lamp…
Remedy: The fleet customer was notified and all vehicles have been repaired. The recall began on April 28, 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (97), 1995 (95), 1997 (62), 2000 (62) and 2013 (59) model years. Electrical complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 18V-141 (ignition, Mar 1, 2018); 06V-119 (instrument cluster/panel, Apr 10, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (59 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (41).
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.