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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering296
- Fuel/propulsion system98
- Engine71
- Electrical system59
- Power train44
- Suspension26
- Vehicle speed control18
- Electronic stability control (esc)18
- Structure12
- Fuel system, gasoline11
- Air bags11
- Exterior lighting10
- Back over prevention9
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
11
13
26
46
63
76
90
65
45
31
34
46
29
13
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2017 | 63 |
| 2018 | 76 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2020 | 65 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 13 |
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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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????”
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.