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2016 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Ford Taurus are lower than the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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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

46 reports with mileage · 34 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.

  • Back Over Prevention. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

80 reports
85,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeat BeltsCrash

MY FUEL SYSTEM WENT OFF ALL KINDS OF ERROR COMING ON CAR STOPS WHILE RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #11378326

28,300 miles · Dec 6, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other

CAR ELECTRONIC STEERING STOPPED AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS.

NHTSA ODI #11378109

26,392 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT ON. FAIL INSPECTION RCM BOOD5 & B1202

NHTSA ODI #11365933

34,000 miles · Aug 26, 2020
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL EACH TIME IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATED AND THEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE LOUD NOISE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT COULD N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL EACH TIME IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATED AND THEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE LOUD NOISE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT COULD NOT FINE A FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT COULD PROBABLY BE THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CUTTER FORD, INC, 98-015 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, AIEA, HI 96701, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING SOMEWHERE AND IT WAS VERY DARK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11351386

48,000 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Suspension

I TOOK MY CAR TO DEAN SELLERS FORD WITH A PREMATURE RIGHT REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ON MY 2016 TAURUS SHO. WHILE AT THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOE REAR TOE LINK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ON JUNE 12, 2019, FORD MEDIA CENTER ISSUED ISSUE A MEMO "FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUES FOUR SAFETY RECALLS" WH…

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I TOOK MY CAR TO DEAN SELLERS FORD WITH A PREMATURE RIGHT REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ON MY 2016 TAURUS SHO. WHILE AT THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOE REAR TOE LINK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ON JUNE 12, 2019, FORD MEDIA CENTER ISSUED ISSUE A MEMO "FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUES FOUR SAFETY RECALLS" WHICH INDICATED THAT THE "AFFECTED VEHICLES INCLUDE 2010-2017 FORD TAURUS VEHICLES BUILT AT THE CHICAGO ASSEMBLY PLANT, JULY 2, 2009-MAY 25, 2017." THIS INCLUDED MY 2016 TAURUS SHO, BUT THE DEALER HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL AND HAS NOW CHARGED ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALL ITEM. ALSO, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE REPLACEMENT TOE LINK WAS NOT THE HARDENED REPLACEMENT PART AND WAS THE ORIGINAL OEM PART THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN BE CATASTROPHIC AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11343653

45,000 miles · Jun 18, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

OIL LEAK FROM TURBO LINE, WAS SHOWING RECALL AFFECTED 2016 FORD TAURUS SHO REFERENCE 16S463 BUT WHEN I CALL DEALER AND LOOK UP VIN MY CAR IS NOT SHOWING TO BE INCLUDED. HOWEVER, I KEEP GETTING A BURNING OIL SMELL AND CAR IN SHOP RIGHT NOW AND OIL LINE THAT GOES TO ONE OF THE TURBO CHARGES IS LEAKING AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329522

69,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
EnginePower Train

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 …

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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. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE I ALWAYS BUY FORD AND HAVE HAD ISSUES HERE AND THERE BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS BETWEEN BREAK DOWNS I DIDN'T EVEN GET TO DRIVE THE CAR 30 DAYS AND NOW OWN 6 YEARS WORTH OF PAYMENTS... THKS CAR HAS LITERALLY BROKE ME AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING TO MAKE IT RIGHT THERE WAS CLEARLY SOME SORT OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH THIS CAR AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND BUY THIS CAR WITHOUT A SERIOUS WARRANTY BECAUSE I KNOW SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD BETTER LUCK WITH THIS CAR IN EARLIER MODELS WITH THE SAME DRIVETRAIN BUT MINE CAN'T BE THE ONLY 16 SHO THAT HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND IM SURE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LEFT IN HARDSHIP ON NOW NOT HAVING A CAR AND HAVE 20K IN AUTO LOAN DEBT. ALL THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS CAR WAS BUILT TO BE ABLE TO USE ON THE TRACK AND COMPLETELY FAILED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED AND HOPE FORD WILL RECALL THIS MAJOR ISSUE IN THERE "PERFORMANCE VEHICLES"

NHTSA ODI #11291507

29,000 miles · Nov 28, 2019
EngineCrashInjury

I WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PROCEEDED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO A STRIP MALL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. THIS TIME OUT OF CONTROL. I WHEN THROUGH THE TUR…

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I WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PROCEEDED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO A STRIP MALL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. THIS TIME OUT OF CONTROL. I WHEN THROUGH THE TURN AND HIT A LARGE CURB AND THEN RAN INTO THE GUARD RAIL. I RIPPED THE GUARD RAIL OFF AND STILL PROCEEDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 150 FEET ON THE GRASS BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #11282783

15,000 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB AND THE "NO KEY DETECTED" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING AUTONATION FORD BURLESON (817-522-3224, LOCATED AT 850 NORTH …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB AND THE "NO KEY DETECTED" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING AUTONATION FORD BURLESON (817-522-3224, LOCATED AT 850 NORTH BURLESON BOULEVARD, BURLESON, TX 76028) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT RECORD THE FAILURE. THE VIDEO WAS NOT SENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #11281363

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2019
Service Brakes

DEALERSHIP HAS IDENTIFIED THE REARS BRAKES ARE IN 3MM OR LESS ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE ON A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM THAT HAS 5MM OR GREATER ON THE FRONT PADS.

NHTSA ODI #11206158

Official recalls

4

25V695000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Oct 13, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

25V611000 · Structure:exterior Trim

Sep 12, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.

20V072000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 10, 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.

16V925000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Dec 22, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

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.