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Research · Large Cars

2004 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 375 owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (164) and power train (72). 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
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
375
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Seats: power adjust

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

SeatsReported Jul 8, 2004NHTSA 04V330000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

375 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2004 – Mar 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control164
  2. Power train72
  3. Electrical system26
  4. Engine25
  5. Air bags21
  6. Engine and engine cooling19
  7. Service brakes18
  8. Structure17
  9. Steering13

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
36
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
2
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

Vehicle speed control

164 reports15 crashes1 fire
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD GOING 50 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE HIGH. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE OUT BUT I KNOW THEY WERE FINE. I KEPT SPEEDING UP SO I HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUSHED BRAKE PUT IT IN NEITRAL BUT THE RPMS SEEMED TO GO HIGHER. I QUICKLY JUST PUT IT IN PARK WHILE STILL MOVING N RPMS HIGH. CSAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND JERKED TO A STOP GAVE ME WHIP LASH THERE WAS NO CASRS ON THE ROAD I WAS IN THE COUNTRY. BUT AS I STOPPED I JUST PARKED TRYIUNG TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO . WAS VERY SHAKEN UP SO I HAD TO PARK FOR AWHILE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF PARKING AND CALLING EVERYONE ABOUT MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE 10 MPH HOIME. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A SELF EMPLOYED MECHANIC I KNOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2020Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11377836

Power train

72 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2020Power train, Exterior lightingODI 11362300

Electrical system

26 reports5 fires
“AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, BRAKING TO STOP A RED LIGHT, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. AFTER LETTING IT GO FOR A WHILE, IT TOPPED OUT AROUND 52MPH, AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS WORKING ON ITS OWN. I KEPT PRESSING OFF, BUT THAT WOULDN'T WORK. THE CAR STOPPED REVVING RPMS WHEN I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2018Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11162165
All 2004 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 · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-VALVE · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-VALVE · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-VALVE
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-VALVE
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    17 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

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1125Vehicle 1124Vehicle 1123
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

2004 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Taurus have?

2 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 2004 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 375 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (164), power train (72), electrical system (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Ford Taurus at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026