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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and slightly hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred after driving approximately 50…

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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and slightly hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred after driving approximately 500 miles. The failure became more progressive over time. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be removed from the socket, causing the contact to have to apply pressure downward while changing gears to keep the shifter in the proper position. While driving at various speeds, the transmission felt like it was going to unexpectedly downshift or change gear. The contact had to hold the gear shifter to prevent the shifter from unintendedly changing gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11665967

69,000 miles · Nov 16, 2022
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle had independently surged forward without warning. In all three incidents, the contact either hit another vehicle or an object due to the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle would accelerate upon the depression of t…

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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle had independently surged forward without warning. In all three incidents, the contact either hit another vehicle or an object due to the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle would accelerate upon the depression of the brake pedal. The contact stated that all three accidents were minor; the air bags did not deploy and there were no injuries. A police report was filed when the contact hit another vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11493773

57,000 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Power Train

PROPANE SMELL WHILE DRIVING, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. 'PUKING' FROM THE VENT PORT. CAR HAS HAD THESE ISSUES SINCE ABOUT 57K MILES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. THE 'LIFETIME' FLUID INSIDE OF THE PTU HAS TURNED INTO A BLACK SLUDGE AND IS UNABLE TO BE SIPHONED OUT OF THE VEHICLE USING A TRANSFER PUMP. NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING IF YOU …

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PROPANE SMELL WHILE DRIVING, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. 'PUKING' FROM THE VENT PORT. CAR HAS HAD THESE ISSUES SINCE ABOUT 57K MILES WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. THE 'LIFETIME' FLUID INSIDE OF THE PTU HAS TURNED INTO A BLACK SLUDGE AND IS UNABLE TO BE SIPHONED OUT OF THE VEHICLE USING A TRANSFER PUMP. NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING IF YOU GRADUALLY APPLY THE PEDAL AS OPPOSED TO MASHING IT DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11196062

104,000 miles · Nov 14, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND STOPPING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND STOPPING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #11045995

82,500 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Power Train

MY FORD TAURUS HAS AWD. TODAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) IS LEAKING BADLY AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS $1700 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED BY OWNER COMMENTS ON THE WEB, THE PTU MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 80000 MILES. IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED THE UNIT…

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MY FORD TAURUS HAS AWD. TODAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) IS LEAKING BADLY AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS $1700 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED BY OWNER COMMENTS ON THE WEB, THE PTU MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 80000 MILES. IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED THE UNIT WILL FAIL AND THE CAR WILL LOCKUP AND HAVE TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE PTU IS ONLY USED ON VEHICLES WITH AWD. MY TAURUS HAS 82500 MILES ON IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A DEFECT. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT I SHOULD NOT EXPECT A LARGE REPAIR BILL FOR A BROKEN PART AFTER 80K MILES. MAINTENANCE IS ONE THING. A LEAKING POWER TRANSFER CASE IS QUITE ANOTHER. IF THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND TAKE STEPS TO REDESIGN THE PTU SO THAT IT DOESN'T FAIL AFTER 6 YEARS OF USE.

NHTSA ODI #10971676

132,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

COMPUTER CONTROLS GLITCHED OUT AT 132,000 MILES AC WENT FROM 60 DEGREES TO 90 DEGREES . CANT USE THE DEFOGGER IN FRONT WINDSHIELD OR THE REAR. CANT TURN HEAT OFF IT IS A 90 DEGREES TO . I AM A HEART AND KIDNEY AND CHEMO PATIENT! RADIO CONTROLS WILL NOT WORK COLLECTORS CD WILL NOT EJECT . COMPUTER CONTROLS WILL NOT RE…

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COMPUTER CONTROLS GLITCHED OUT AT 132,000 MILES AC WENT FROM 60 DEGREES TO 90 DEGREES . CANT USE THE DEFOGGER IN FRONT WINDSHIELD OR THE REAR. CANT TURN HEAT OFF IT IS A 90 DEGREES TO . I AM A HEART AND KIDNEY AND CHEMO PATIENT! RADIO CONTROLS WILL NOT WORK COLLECTORS CD WILL NOT EJECT . COMPUTER CONTROLS WILL NOT RESET TELE PHONE CAR SYSTEM NEVER WORKED

NHTSA ODI #10882578

45,500 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,500.

NHTSA ODI #10746032

47,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CAME TO A STOP ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED AWAY AND CAME TO A STOP ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ERRONEOUSLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10605328

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Power Train

2011 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 15 TIMES, FOR THE SAME TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARSH SHIFTING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10596126

11,663 miles · Jun 24, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TAURUS SEL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED ON ITS OWN HEAD ON INTO A WALL AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ($11,000+ IN DAMAGES - THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE CAR AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE C…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TAURUS SEL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL SPEED ON ITS OWN HEAD ON INTO A WALL AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED ($11,000+ IN DAMAGES - THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT I WAS NOT INJURED). THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL THE CAR AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CAUSE FOR THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS NEVER DETERMINED. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INVOLVED IN A SIMILAR INCIDENT. HE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE TAURUS. HE FELT A STRANGE RUMBLING THAT FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HIM. HE WASN'T EVEN SURE IT WAS THE CAR SO HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY TO SEE IF THE RUMBLING WOULD STOP. AS SOON AS HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE RPM GAUGE SHOT UP TO 7,000 AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. HE SLAMMED HIS FOOT BACK DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED BUT THE RPM GAUGE WAS STILL AT 7,000 AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RACING (WITH NORMAL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE THE CAR DID NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS RACING) HE TOOK A GLANCE DOWN AT THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL...NO FEET, NO TRAPPED FLOOR MATS. HE SHIFTED TO PARK, THE ENGINE CALMED DOWN AND IT WAS LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. IT DROVE NORMALLY AGAIN. THE CAR IS GOING BACK TO A FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THERE IS CLEARLY A POTENTIALLY FATAL MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521381

Official recalls

4

16V247000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.