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Research · Large Cars

2005 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 774 owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (529) and power train (123). 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
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
774
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

774 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2005 – Oct 2023
  1. Vehicle speed control529
  2. Power train123
  3. Engine68
  4. Engine and engine cooling40
  5. Fuel/propulsion system29
  6. Electrical system28
  7. Air bags27
  8. Service brakes26
  9. Structure22

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
40
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
28
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

529 reports18 crashes1 fire
“I was on my way to work. When I came to the stop sign to turn on the main road. I felt my car jerk. I thought it was weird and kept driving anyways. Then I noticed the resistance was gone from the gas pedal and it went straight to the floor. So I came to the stop light and kept my foot on the brake. When the light turned green and I had let go of the brakes. My car was accelerating on its own. I had to keep pumping the brakes so I wouldn't crash or hurt anyone. I managed to pull into a mechanic's shop and asked for help. The mechanic told me that it was my cruise control and that it wasn't disengaging. So he had to disconnect it from my car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2023Vehicle speed control, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11547998

Power train

123 reports3 crashes1 fire
“I DROVE TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WAS THERE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WOULDN'T MOVE THE CAR IS ON A SIDE STREET IN THE CITY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2019Power trainODI 11282375

Engine

68 reports1 crash1 fire
“MY CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A WEEK WHILE I AM DRIVING AND HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH. I CAN MAKE THE ENGINE REV/ACCELERATION STOP BY QUICKLY TAPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED BECAUSE MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THIS WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE RANDOM SEF-ACCELERATION HAS CONTINUED AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING MORE FREQUENT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON OFF AND ON FOR A FEW YEARS BUT HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2020Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11383695
All 2005 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, 2V · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4V · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$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, 2V · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4V · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$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, 2V
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4V
    18 city · 25 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, 2V
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4V
    17 city · 24 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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1581Vehicle 1580
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

2005 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Taurus have?

1 safety recall 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 2005 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 774 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (529), power train (123), engine (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Ford Taurus at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026