Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 111,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% | 23,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% | 85,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% | 140,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | 188,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 0% | 92,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 0% | 68,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 0% | 99,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 1% | 46,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% | 133,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 1% | 74,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 0% | — |
| 1996 | 5 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Passenger seat overheated causing third degree burns on my wives buttocks. This was the first time this seat heater was used. It occurred quite rapidly. Subsequent testing revealed temperature went to 126 degrees in less than 4 minutes, test was stopped at that point for fear of a fire occurring. We have pictures which can be used if necessary.
It will just cut off in the middle of nowhere want crank the gas hand will go up and it will say it doesn't have gas then I turn the car off let it sit then the gas hand will go up .I can let the car run it can be on a half tank then let it run about 10mins then its on empty tank of gas.. It will just stop in the street
2011 Ford Taurus front driver's heated seat suddenly was so hot that it had to be turned off to prevent from getting burned. There are numerous complaints about this same issue on the internet. The car mentioned only has 30,000 miles on it. This seems to be a safety issue and I contacted Ford, but no one seems to care. The extended warranty ran out less than three months ago and Ford does not care. I am wondering if there needs to be a recall on these heated seats, before it causes an accident or someone gets burned from the seat.
My mother was driving down the road, and turned on the seat heater. After several minutes the seat heater overheated and burned the backs of her legs. Several days later my father turned it on, it burned through several layers of his winter clothes and left a burn mark on the leather seat. This condition is extremely unsafe, and has caused both personal injury and damage to the car.
O2 System failed. System checked. The service light is still on. Agents assisted with inspecting. Dealership had the vehicle non-recall. Seat belt light appeared and Agent was contacted. System is collected for revisiting my claim.
As I was driving with my seat heater on, I smelled something burning and felt a hot spot on my butt. When I looked at my seat later, I noticed a hole burned through my seat. Took it into the shop. They did a pinpoint test, v12 no. The drivers seat cushion heater mat needs replacing. Ford offers no assistance in paying for the repairs. Unable to use with out it burning the seat and driver.
I was driving from work, on my way to pick up my daughter. When suddenly the heated seat in my car began to get hotter than usual, the seat had soon malfunctioned and disburse in to flame! Luckily I was carrying a bottle of water from my job that I was drinking on at the time. I knew I wasn't fit to drive myself, and I wasn't to far away from my father's house, and was driven by my step sister to the e.r.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud rattling noise underneath the vehicle. There was no prior warning to the malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures. The frontal sway bar was replaced twice. In addition, there was a malfunction with the driver and passenger side heated seat sensors. The failure mileage was 4,500 and current mileage was 26,000.
Related recalls (1)
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats May have been inadequately welded.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper support assembly on the power seats. The recall began on July 20, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (8), 1998 (7), 2010 (7), 2011 (6) and 1996 (5) model years. Seat complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus seat problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-330 (power adjust, Jul 8, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (15 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (7).
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.