Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% | 48,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2014 | 12 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 44 | 8% | 72,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 36 | 18% | 14,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% | 39,000 miles |
| 2008 | 44 | 25% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 11% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 32 | 10% | 88,000 miles |
| 2005 | 123 | 16% | 84,000 miles |
| 2004 | 72 | 19% | 105,000 miles |
| 2003 | 316 | 26% | 87,000 miles |
| 2002 | 39 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 58 | 6% | 86,000 miles |
| 2000 | 99 | 8% | 54,000 miles |
| 1999 | 91 | 10% | 80,000 miles |
| 1998 | 69 | 13% | 102,000 miles |
| 1997 | 214 | 28% | 72,000 miles |
| 1996 | 182 | 22% | 98,000 miles |
| 1995 | 394 | 33% | 91,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 65 mph, the transmission, brakes, steering, and engine became inoperable, and the vehicle shut down and crashed into the side railing. The vehicle tipped on its side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The child passenger who was using a car seat positioned in the rear passenger seat sustained injuries that left the occupant in a coma, and medical attention was provided. The other occupants in the driver and passenger front seats and the occupant in the driver's rear seat sustained minor cuts but medical attention was not provided. There was no reported fire, police report, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
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.
I took my car into the service department due to a strong smell of propane/natural gas. The service writer informed me that the smell was really bad but that it should be safe to drive and that she couldn't get me in until Tuesday. I buckled my 2 year old in the car seat and left the dealership/service department. The service write stated that there was a TSB out on the car and it could be a possible leak in the ptu. But should be that big of deal. We started to travel home the car stalled, on a highway traveling at about 60 miles per hour, and there was a loud pop, I was on the phone with my sister who was traveling behind us who told me that my car was on fire and to pull over. I stopped the car, when I was stopped the interior of the car filled with smoke I rushed to get my child out of the car and moved away from the car. I didn't see any flames just a lot of smoke. …
I don't even know where to begin. Every problem you could imagine with this car only ay 69K miles after fords pathetic powertrian warranty expires. I bought this car at 66K miles spent 20 grand after tax and only made one payment besides the down payment. First off the ptu failed on this vehicle failed after 2K miles witch is a really common problem on this vehicle witch was a $900 part though Ford. Had this replaced and not only 7 days later and barely 1K miles the transmission failed causing the motor to overheat damaging the motor.. Now I have a $400+ payment on a vehicle that needs over $9000 in repairs between the motor and transmission and the dealer wont fix it because I didnt buy and extended warranty and its out of the factory 60K warranty. Note this is a 2016 (performance sedan) (sho) and this has been the most unreliable car I have ever bought. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at various speeds, the vehicle would stall as the "check manual" and wrench warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on two separate occasions and each time the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Car will lose ability to accelerate, violently shakes. You can pull over, shut the car off then start up again and it will work until later. Throws a code saying to see owners manual, the owners manual says to take to dealership for repairs.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while performing an oil change on the vehicle, she noticed that the front driver's side axle was detaching. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V393000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 30-50 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he had parked and stopped driving the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,720.
Related recalls (7)
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equpped with the "california" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.
Remedy: Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Power train › Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission park pawl shaft May not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
Show 2 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Power train › Automatic transmission
The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin May not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (394), 2003 (316), 1997 (214), 1996 (182) and 2005 (123) model years. Transmission complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus transmission problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 20V-692 (axle shaft, Nov 10, 2020); 14V-393 (axle shaft, Jul 2, 2014); 98V-288 (cooling unit and lines, Nov 9, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (894 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (63).
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.