Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Ford Taurus problems

Owners filed 591 complaints about the 2013 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Oct 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (296).

Complaints
591
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Fuel system, gasoline11
  11. Air bags11
  12. Exterior lighting10
  13. Back over prevention9
  14. Service brakes8

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20123
201311
201413
201526
201646
201763
201876
201990
202065
202145
202231
202334
202446
202529
202613

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

296 reports7 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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

Electrical system

59 reports1 crash3 fires
“The car regularly starts without pressing the brake down first. The car has they key but says no key detected and drives with or without it. This is a push start ignition car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11749567

Power train

44 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact's mother owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, several unknown warning lights illuminated when turning off the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. In addition, the gear shifter had seized in park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had several previous ongoing failures. The contact stated that the failure started shortly after the vehicle was purchased in 2013. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11706565

Suspension

26 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“While driving to work in my 2013 Ford Taurus I went to take a left and the power steering was suddenly gone and the steering wheel was hard to turn. I nearly hit another car and had to brake hard to miss it. I parked at work and after work I started the car and it was fine until about a mile before I got home. Then it happened again and I could hear a scraping like sound when I turned. The steering became very jerky and resistant at lower speeds but I never got a warning light or message. I brought the vehicle in to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the power steering control module (PSCM) had failed and needed to be replaced as well as the rack and pinion. I looked into recalls for the 2013 steering issue and found one but was told my VIN wasn't included. WHY NOT?? I have seen over 600 complaints in regard to this! When are you going to do something about this? AFTER SOMEONE DIES???? How many complaints need to be made before something gets done????”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2025Steering, SuspensionODI 11679739
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.