Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Ford Taurus problems
Owners filed 318 complaints about the 2006 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Sep 2005 and Sep 2024. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (176).
Complaints
318
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Vehicle speed control176
- Power train32
- Electrical system25
- Engine24
- Air bags21
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Service brakes15
- Structure15
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Exterior lighting6
- Tires6
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Visibility6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
8
9
14
14
23
25
81
30
42
19
17
12
7
1
3
2
6
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 81 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Vehicle speed control
176 reports7 crashes1 fire
“Throttle stuck and vehicle accelerated out of control. Had to brake hard and turn off engine to prevent crash. Speed Control Cable disconnected from cruise control. It has been repaired since the incident. Yes, was reproduced by the tow truck driver as well as at a service center. No warnings, only high engine revving noise as it happened, high RPMs and high speed noticeable on dashboard as my car's acceleration stuck. Case #FCAS37586176 reported to Ford company.”
Power train
32 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power before stalling. The vehicle continued to roll forward before the driver was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the contact stated that failure reoccurred three additional times. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.”
Electrical system
25 reports1 fire1 related recall
“Vehicle is now on 2nd transmission the original transmission failed around 60000 miles Ford originally put a brand new transmission in it for previous owner documentation was provided when we purchased the vehicle since move unknown where it's at now but this transmission has only 67000 miles on it experiencing same problems sometimes it will slip between 2nd and 3rd year other times it will slip between 1st and 2nd year sometimes they won't let it go over drive other times he gets stuck In overdrive no rhyme no reason for why it does what it does it just seems to do what it wants when it was but it really sucks when you're on the highway driving 75 mile an hour and decided to come out of overdrive and get stuck in 2nd gear so you have to slow down in front of everybody and it kind of forces you to do so that could easily get someone killed Going from 75 mile an hour to stuck in 2nd year limited speed very quickly with no brake lights Original transmission apparently has something to do with the torque converter or non hearted metals I'm not exactly sure because we were not in possession of owning the vehicle when it was replaced”
Engine
24 reports2 fires
“Car engine accelerate on own. Tac meter shows over 3,000 RPM when I put it in neutral. I have to tap the accelerator and it goes back to normal. This happens about once a week now. I was slowing down for a stoplight and it happened. Brakes were not enough. Almost hit a car. Only by throwing into neutral allowed me to gain control and stop. My mechanic couldn’t find anything. I cannot allow anyone else to drive this as I am the only one familiar to handle it. I’ll probably sell it on a trade. I’ve read dozens of reports of this but no recall. I am surprised. If I get into an accident I have a lawyer handle it Here are others https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/taurus/cruise-control-problems.php”
Air bags
21 reports9 crashes
“PERIODICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AJAR ON DASHBOARD ON ALL THE TIME WHICH MAKES DOME LIGHT STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY.”
Engine and engine cooling
19 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE; HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,531. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.