Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Ford Taurus problems

Owners filed 236 complaints about the 2014 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Apr 2014 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is steering (67).

Complaints
236
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering67
  2. Fuel/propulsion system55
  3. Electrical system30
  4. Engine16
  5. Fuel system, gasoline15
  6. Exterior lighting14
  7. Power train14
  8. Service brakes9
  9. Vehicle speed control8
  10. Suspension8
  11. Back over prevention6
  12. Engine and engine cooling6
  13. Air bags5
  14. Wheels5

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
201410
201512
201611
201726
201831
201936
202033
202118
202214
202318
20248
202513
20266

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

67 reports4 crashes
“Hello - the steering wheel has become very difficult to turn including inability to turn to the right or left at times, and seems to increase over time but has decreased while remaining stiff/difficult at times.I thought it was related to low/missing power steering fluid or the weather because the steering improved on a warm/warmer day. When I tested the weather theory it was another warm/hot day and later in the day meaning the car didn't require as much or any warm up as it usually does on cold days/earlier in the day. The steering was so difficult I couldn't turn the wheel to the right at all and it was extremely hard to turn to the left but less than difficulty trying to turn to the right. I checked under the hood and didn't see anything for power steering, and later learned the 2014 Ford Taurus does not require power steering fluid. This is a safety concern because it means drivers can't steer at all or only with extreme difficulty increasing the potential for vehicle accidents. I don't know/can't say if this is negatively impacting other parts of the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2026SteeringODI 11736158

Fuel/propulsion system

55 reports1 fire
“This car has left me stranded multiple times. Took to dealership to find out the fuel pump that had been replaced at 90,000 was dead. Catalytic converter replaced at 125,000. Replaced fuel pump control module, fuel pump and sending unit for the 2nd time in 2014 Ford Taurus SEL AWD with 132,000 miles. Now it is sending a check engine code P0461 which is most likely due to the recent replacement messing with PCM values. The 3.5 DOHC engines should be recalled as well for the fuel system issues along with the other models recalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11762264

Electrical system

30 reports
“Without any warning or warning lights the electronic power steering system failed, and the turn signal will not remain on unless held manually (new problem that started when the power steering failed). It is very hard to turn without it, and I am a strong man, it's nearly impossible to turn with one hand so the turn signal can also be operated. Only 39000 miles on the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11512125

Engine

16 reports1 crash
“Driving down CR 230 in Wyoming, the situation started if I have to estimate, 7 miles west of Woods Landing, I heard a metal on metal grinding noise from the engine bay, and a loss of power on the throttle. I look at my RPM gauge and notice it is a zero. No check engine light, all electronics working as normal along with the brakes, and I slow the vehicle down to 30 MPH. Shortly after noticing, I get a "Check Brake System" flash on my instrument panel cluster, also the light which illuminates for my parking brake turns on, and I lose power brakes, the brake pedal turned extremely stiff. I immediately look for a pull off zone, but because I had lost brakes I did not want to risk keeping the vehicle moving. I get the vehicle stopped on the side of the road, and instantly put it in park along with the parking brake and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle would not start or crank, just a flash across all of the electronics, the lights go dark, then illuminate again as if normal. This is an extremely dangerous situation, the vehicle had not notified me that the motor had stopped turning; not a check engine light or ring at all, and shortly after that the power brakes…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2025Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11636388

Fuel system, gasoline

15 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle failed to immediately start-up. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The fuel pump control module was replaced but after retrieving the vehicle, while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the message "Check Fuel Inlet" was displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2025Fuel system, gasolineODI 11651695

Exterior lighting

14 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the driver’s-side headlight was flickering while the vehicle was stopped, and the headlight remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that water was entering the headlight housing, causing the bulb to fail. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the headlight housings and the bulbs were replaced, and the pigtail wiring on the driver's side was also replaced. The mechanic determined that the wire was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the entire module needs to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11775667
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.