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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

14 reports
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64,000 miles · Feb 14, 2023
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling for approximately 1 minute, then the vehicle started revving up with the RPM above 7,000. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal seemed to be stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the …

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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling for approximately 1 minute, then the vehicle started revving up with the RPM above 7,000. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal seemed to be stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle came to a stop. The check engine warning light was displayed. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The following day the vehicle was driven to a certified mechanic who replaced the throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly. After returning to the residence and attempting to exit the vehicle with the vehicle idling, the failure recurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. The consumer stated the vehicle broke down and towed to dealer. The computer was updated by the dealer but the vehicle failed once again. The consumer needs a second throttle body replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11507273

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

The throttle body threw a code. My car lost "power' and stalled. It went into limp mode. Became inoperable. My four year old, his dad, and my safety was at risk due to this happening on a rural road on a hill. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere and an hour and a half away from home. The dealership replaced the throttle bottl…

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The throttle body threw a code. My car lost "power' and stalled. It went into limp mode. Became inoperable. My four year old, his dad, and my safety was at risk due to this happening on a rural road on a hill. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere and an hour and a half away from home. The dealership replaced the throttle bottle, accelerator pedal, reprogrammed it, and it still will not function normally. I am out of a car and that is not okay. They only warning sign there was happened to be a wrench and that's it.

NHTSA ODI #11488254

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2017
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed Control

" TAKATA RECALL" ABS ! LIGHT ON IP BREAK LIGHT ON SENSER A SPEED LIGHTS ON

NHTSA ODI #11030113

70,652 miles · Jul 4, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

HAD THROTTLE RELATED ISSUES THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY "REPAIRED" AT THE DEALER WHICH ARE STILL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND SHOWS A WRENCH ICON ON THE DASHBOARD WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. IF THE VEHICLE IS PUT ON DRIVE IT MOVES BY ITSELF AS IF ONE WERE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE TH…

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HAD THROTTLE RELATED ISSUES THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY "REPAIRED" AT THE DEALER WHICH ARE STILL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND SHOWS A WRENCH ICON ON THE DASHBOARD WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. IF THE VEHICLE IS PUT ON DRIVE IT MOVES BY ITSELF AS IF ONE WERE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD POSSIBLE KILL SOMEONE OR EVEN GET ME KILLED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE (WHICH I DON'T). RIGHT NOW IT'S AT THE DEALER AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY SINCE THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE MOVED.

NHTSA ODI #10882460

70,467 miles · Jun 23, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,467.

NHTSA ODI #10876086

15,600 miles · May 24, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TAURUS HAS 15,000 MILES AND HAS STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD AT VERY SLOW SPEED AND WITH BRAKE ON. IT HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES NOW, ONE WAS WHEN I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE IT SURGED . JUST NOW AT THE GROCERY STORE GOING VERY SLOW TOWARDS A PARKING SPOT IT REALLY LAUNCHED FORWARD MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IT E…

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TAURUS HAS 15,000 MILES AND HAS STARTED TO SURGE FORWARD AT VERY SLOW SPEED AND WITH BRAKE ON. IT HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES NOW, ONE WAS WHEN I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE IT SURGED . JUST NOW AT THE GROCERY STORE GOING VERY SLOW TOWARDS A PARKING SPOT IT REALLY LAUNCHED FORWARD MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IT EVEN SQUEALED THE TIRES. I HAD IT TO THE DEALER ON THE 21ST AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG . ( IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR US ) I NEED ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. I DON'T WANT ANYONE HURT.

NHTSA ODI #10870695

8,000 miles · Dec 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

THIS INVOLVES THE EXPENSIVE SAFETY ACCESSORY: "FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE "ON THIS VEHICLE, THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS INTERMITTENT. AS I'M DRIVING ON A CITY STREET OR FREEWAY, THE UNIT SUDDENLY TURNS OFF AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF. IN ORDER TO RE-ENGAGE THE SYSTEMS, THE ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RE-STA…

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THIS INVOLVES THE EXPENSIVE SAFETY ACCESSORY: "FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE "ON THIS VEHICLE, THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS INTERMITTENT. AS I'M DRIVING ON A CITY STREET OR FREEWAY, THE UNIT SUDDENLY TURNS OFF AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF. IN ORDER TO RE-ENGAGE THE SYSTEMS, THE ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. THE PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. ( OCT.-2015) I COUNT ON THIS SAFETY FEATURE. (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) AS AN EXAMPLE, THE CAR IN FRONT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, I HAVE NO IDEA THAT IT IS SLOWING AND COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION, WHEREAS THE AVOIDANCE FEATURE GIVES PLENTY OF WARNING IN REGARDS TO THE SUDDEN SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. I WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE UNITS MAY HAVE ORIGINAL FACTORY DEFECTS, YET HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10809824

46,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT FRANTICALLY ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND THE KEYS WERE REMOV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT FRANTICALLY ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 7/28/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10721855

63,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10695055

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.