IllustrationPERIODICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AJAR ON DASHBOARD ON ALL THE TIME WHICH MAKES DOME LIGHT STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY.
2006 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2225–50K
6650–75K
7075–100K
86100–150K
20150K+
272 reports with mileage · 46 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
318 reportsPROBLEM WITH WINDOWS GOING BACK UP I REPLACED THE MAIN SWITCH FOR ALL WINDOWS BUT STILL DID NOT WORK TOOK AGAIN TO ELECTRICIAN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE MAIN FUSE BOX UNDER DRIVERS SEAT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED .
VEHICLE QUICKLY ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN OPERATING WHILE IN MOTION
IN COLD WEATHER THE DOOR LATCHES FREEZE AND WILL NOT LATCH THIS IS THE SECOND 2006 FORD TAURUS I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS DONE THIS. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ATLEAST 20
VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS IT INCREASES TO 40-60 MPH HIGH RPM IN NEUTRAL OR PARK WHILE DRIVING IT INCREASES SPEED ON ITS OWN. NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AT LIGHT TODAY AS I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE IT JUMPED TO 20 MPH CAR HAS 68,000 MILES WELL MAINTAINED
WHILE DRIVING OVER 45MPH THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES . IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PARK AT WORK.
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY WITH A RELATIVELY STEEP DOWNHILL GRADE. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT IT WAS JUST ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY, BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE THROTTLE MUST BE OPEN SINCE I WAS QUICKLY ACCELERATING TO SPEEDS ABOVE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY WITH A RELATIVELY STEEP DOWNHILL GRADE. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT IT WAS JUST ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY, BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE THROTTLE MUST BE OPEN SINCE I WAS QUICKLY ACCELERATING TO SPEEDS ABOVE 65MPH, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THE ACCELERATION WERE DUE ONLY TO THE HILL. I SAW A PLACE UP AHEAD TO PULL OVER, BUT I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK VERY QUICKLY AND TURNED IT OFF SINCE THE ENGINE WAS RACING. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE COMING FROM MY FRONT BRAKES, WHICH WAS VERY DISCONCERTING. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD COME UNFASTENED AND HAD CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO STICK OPEN. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DEALER STATED COTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DEALER STATED COTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. *TT
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE THROTTLE CABLE GOT STUCK WITH THE CRUISE CABLE AND THE RPM RAISED TO 5000 AND DOESN'T COME DOWN. I SWITCHED THE GEARS BACK TO 1ST AND BROUGHT IT TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT MUCH TRAFFIC OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO FORD AND THEY INITIALLY …
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR THE THROTTLE CABLE GOT STUCK WITH THE CRUISE CABLE AND THE RPM RAISED TO 5000 AND DOESN'T COME DOWN. I SWITCHED THE GEARS BACK TO 1ST AND BROUGHT IT TO SLOW DOWN. LUCKILY THERE WERE NOT MUCH TRAFFIC OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO FORD AND THEY INITIALLY DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUS. BUT AFTER I PUT IN WRITING TO BOB ALLEN FORD IN OVERLAND PARK THEY MENTIONED THAT A SERVICE MANAGER WILL CALL TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE FURTHER. I ASKED THEM IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS AND THEY ASKED FOR THE VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NONE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Z1U1FGABDW4
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES, SIZE: 215/60R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEEL BELTS PUNCTURED THE SIDE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRILL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT WAS MISALIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE A HOWLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING VARIOU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES, SIZE: 215/60R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEEL BELTS PUNCTURED THE SIDE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRILL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT WAS MISALIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE A HOWLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. BALISE MOTOR SALES IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SHOCK TOWER MOUNT NEEDED TO BE DRILLED IN ORDER TO PERFORM A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO PREVENT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT REPLACE THE STRUTS. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.
Official recalls
206V119000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Apr 10, 2006
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 FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.
Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.
05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE12005 · Stuck Throttle
Opened Mar 7, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Vehicle Speed Control
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do