IllustrationTHE PLATE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. IT HAPPENS EVERY MONTH. FOUND A RECALL REFERENCE # 14V285000. DEALER SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY AM I NOT COVERED.
2011 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 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
380–25K
2125–50K
2450–75K
2375–100K
29100–150K
7150K+
142 reports with mileage · 45 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. 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.
14 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
14 reportsMY AIR BAG LIGHT OFTEN COMES ON AND OFF. BUT THE FORD PLACE SAID IT'S NO RECALL ON MY CAR. ALSO MY DASH BOARD LIGHT FLICKERS OFF FROM BRIGHT TO DIM WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STILL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,064.
WHILE REPLACING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT ON THE RIGHT REAR, FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE PROBLEM WAS A BURNED SOCKET AND MELTED PLASTIC BULB BASE. THE BULB WAS DESTROYED DURING ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE IT AND THE PLASTIC BASE HAD TO BE FORCIBLY REMOVED WITH PLIERS. IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF A NEW BULB WILL…
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WHILE REPLACING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHT ON THE RIGHT REAR, FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE PROBLEM WAS A BURNED SOCKET AND MELTED PLASTIC BULB BASE. THE BULB WAS DESTROYED DURING ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE IT AND THE PLASTIC BASE HAD TO BE FORCIBLY REMOVED WITH PLIERS. IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IF A NEW BULB WILL EVEN WORK.
PREVIOUS RECALL 14V285000, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTING CORROSION. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL DONE BACK IN 2013 AND THIS WEEK NOTICED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WHEN TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN! THE CONCERN IS THE WIRE HARNESS IS STILL CORRODING AND…
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PREVIOUS RECALL 14V285000, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTING CORROSION. MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL DONE BACK IN 2013 AND THIS WEEK NOTICED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WHEN TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND THE WIRING HARNESS HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AGAIN! THE CONCERN IS THE WIRE HARNESS IS STILL CORRODING AND FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING A CONTINUED ISSUE WITH THE WIRE HARNESS CORROSION.
THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE IS CORRODED AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. DEALER STATES THAT THIS VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL THAT FORD PREVIOUSLY HAD AS IT RELATES TO THE REAR LICENSE PLATE WIRING. WAS NOTICED ON A REGULAR SERVICE CALL AT 83,000 MILES THAT THE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. AFTER CHANGING THE BULBS AN…
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THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE IS CORRODED AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. DEALER STATES THAT THIS VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL THAT FORD PREVIOUSLY HAD AS IT RELATES TO THE REAR LICENSE PLATE WIRING. WAS NOTICED ON A REGULAR SERVICE CALL AT 83,000 MILES THAT THE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. AFTER CHANGING THE BULBS AND STILL INOPERABLE TOOK IT TO FORD DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED. DEALER STATED THAT IF YOU WIGGLE THE WIRING HARNESS IT WOULD CONNECT AND WORK BUT WHEN LET GO IT BECAME INOPERABLE AGAIN.
MY TAIL LIGHTS KEEP PEELING. THE CHROME AROUND THE LIGHTS PEELS. I HAD REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THEY ARE PEELING AGAIN. IT IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE I THINK BUT THEY NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION AS MY 3 YEAR OLD CAR LOOKS BAD WITH PEELING CHROME. *TR
WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AUGUST 2013. WE TOOK IT BACK FOR DRIVING LIGHTS TO BE CHECKED. WE HADN'T DRIVEN AT NIGHT UNTIL RECENTLY AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS SEEM LIKE DIM LIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE A SHADOW INSIDE OR OVER THEM. THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHOW VERY MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD. WE CHANGED THE BULBS THINKING THEY WERE OL…
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WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AUGUST 2013. WE TOOK IT BACK FOR DRIVING LIGHTS TO BE CHECKED. WE HADN'T DRIVEN AT NIGHT UNTIL RECENTLY AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS SEEM LIKE DIM LIGHTS. THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR TO HAVE A SHADOW INSIDE OR OVER THEM. THE LIGHTS DO NOT SHOW VERY MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD. WE CHANGED THE BULBS THINKING THEY WERE OLD AND WE BOUGHT THE BRIGHTEST WE COULD AND STILL NO DIFFERENCE. THE ROAD APPEARS IN SHADOWS AND YOU CAN'T SEE VERY FAR. WE WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
RENTED A 2011 FORD TAURUS IN MAUI; DRIVING BACK FROM HANA AFTER DARK, WE COULDN'T SEE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH APPEARED TO BE SEVERELY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT --- THEY AIMED LEFT. THE ROAD IS NARROW, SO WE SLOWED TO 25MPH, +/-; WE HIT THE END OF A BROKEN CURB, DESTROYING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE R…
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RENTED A 2011 FORD TAURUS IN MAUI; DRIVING BACK FROM HANA AFTER DARK, WE COULDN'T SEE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH APPEARED TO BE SEVERELY OUT OF ADJUSTMENT --- THEY AIMED LEFT. THE ROAD IS NARROW, SO WE SLOWED TO 25MPH, +/-; WE HIT THE END OF A BROKEN CURB, DESTROYING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE RENTAL COMPANY IS HITTING US $800 FOR A $400 FACTORY MAG WHEEL, PLUS A NEW TIRE. WE COULD HAVE QUITE EASILY GONE OVER THE EDGE INTO THE OCEAN, CONSIDERING WE COULDN'T SEE THE EDGE OF THE ROAD; SOMEBODY DRIVING A 2011 TAURUS SOUTHBOUND ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 1 AFTER DARK WOULD BE PUTTING THEIR LIFE IN JEOPARDY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER TO REGAIN VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER TO REGAIN VISIBILITY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH IT SURGED FORWARD MOMENTARILY. UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATION FROM A STANDSTILL OR AT A VERY LOW SPEED. UPDATED 05/07/12
Official recalls
416V247000 · Air Bags:frontal
Apr 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Jun 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
15V040000 · Structure:body:door
Jan 28, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.
14V285000 · Exterior Lighting
May 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.