Research · Large Cars

2013 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 591 owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve steering (296) and fuel/propulsion system (98). The EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–25mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
591
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Feb 10, 2020NHTSA 20V072000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 25, 2016NHTSA 16V621000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 2, 2015NHTSA 15V812000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

591 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2012 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering296
  2. Fuel/propulsion system98
  3. Engine71
  4. Electrical system59
  5. Power train44
  6. Suspension26
  7. Vehicle speed control18
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  9. Structure12

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
20
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
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

Steering

296 reports7 crashes1 fire
“The power steering system is continually giving Power Steering Assist Failure and Service Advance Trac. The code U3000 was identified by Ford technician. This code is found in a Ford recall 15S18, my VIN is not included in this recall. The power steering quits working while the car is driving. The problem was confirmed through codes U3000 and Coo51 by Ed Morse Ford in Lebanon, MO. There was no accident to involve police or insurance representatives. Warning messages are mentioned above.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026SteeringODI 11758184

Fuel/propulsion system

98 reports2 fires
“I purchased this car April 1 2025 the car drove fine up until this past week I got in the car it had a very long crank but started and it acted as if it wasn't getting fuel. So I shut it off waited and started it back it seemed OK I went and purchased some fuel cleaner and gas it straightened out then today it done the exact same thing except it stalled on me 3 times and the last stall almost caused a wreck I was able to get it started and drove back home too scared to drove it so I started looking up problems online and seen several issues like mine that other people had and they were related to previous recalls.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11669991

Engine

71 reports1 crash2 fires
“Malicious use of AI. Vehicle was shut down in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the road, right on the crest of a hill, just around a curve in the middle of the night, at approximately 12:00 AM. I had to wait for about 5.5 hrs for a tow truck.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11766416
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
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.5L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 FWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500350
Taurus FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850395
Taurus FWD FFV
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850396
Taurus AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950426
Taurus AWD FFV
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950426
Taurus AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100446
  • Taurus FWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus FWD FFV
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus AWD FFV
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
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
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Ford Taurus 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Taurus 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 7023Vehicle 7022
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

2013 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Taurus have?

9 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 2013 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 591 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (296), fuel/propulsion system (98), engine (71). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Ford Taurus at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Ford Taurus?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Ford Taurus 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026