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Research · Large Cars

2001 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 1,036 owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve suspension (514) and vehicle speed control (99). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
1,036
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 1, 2016NHTSA 16E026000

Suspension: coil springs

Remedy pending

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, 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, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

SuspensionReported Jul 15, 2004NHTSA 04V332000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 2, 2004NHTSA 04V106000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,036 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2000 – Apr 2025
  1. Suspension514
  2. Vehicle speed control99
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic85
  4. Air bags66
  5. Engine and engine cooling59
  6. Power train58
  7. Visibility39
  8. Tires39
  9. Electrical system37

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Taurus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996868
1997816
1998570
1999918
20001,195
20011,036
20021,469
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013591
2014236
2015286
201688
201744
201852
201918
Crashes reported
92
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
78
Deaths reported
5
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

514 reports8 crashes
“SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2021Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11389681

Vehicle speed control

99 reports17 crashes1 fire
“THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STAY AT HIGH RPMS EVEN WHEN PRESSURE IS RELEASED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN 2018 WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR AND HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY IN DECEMBER 2020. IN THE FIRST EPISODE, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. IN THE SECOND, MY WIFE HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET IN BOTH INSTANCES GOING STRAIGHT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2020Vehicle speed controlODI 11384164

Service brakes, hydraulic

85 reports15 crashes
“2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2014Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10651215
All 2001 Taurus problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4 valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$3,300468
Taurus FFV
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$3,300468
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4 valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
Taurus Wagon FFV
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4 valve
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4 valve
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon FFV
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4362Vehicle 4361
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Taurus have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 1,036 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (514), vehicle speed control (99), service brakes, hydraulic (85). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Ford Taurus at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026