Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Ford Taurus problems

Owners filed 88 complaints about the 2016 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Jul 2016 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is back over prevention (31).

Complaints
88
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Back over prevention31
  2. Engine12
  3. Steering9
  4. Fuel/propulsion system7
  5. Structure6
  6. Electrical system6
  7. Suspension5
  8. Air bags4
  9. Service brakes4
  10. Seat belts3
  11. Power train3
  12. Engine and engine cooling2
  13. Seats1
  14. Lane departure1

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
20164
20172
20184
20194
20206
20214
20227
20237
20243
202519
202628

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

Back over prevention

31 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank image. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Back over preventionODI 11773635

Engine

12 reports1 crash
“I have learned there is a known issue with the 3.5liter twin turbo V6 motor Water Pump. The "cyclone motor" design by Ford has a known problem with water pump leaking and must be replaced, costs are typically $4,500 as the engine has a known design flaw in that the water pump was placed Inside the motor causing a high degree of failure and labor-intensive repair. Ford is well aware of this issue yet they have Not contacted my regarding this known issue. I now have my vehicle in the repair shop at Walker Ford in Clearwater being repaired and an invoice due of $4,500. I wish for your assistance to have this repair covered under the recall and or warranty. My vehicle has 62K miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2024EngineODI 11593733

Steering

9 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was a loose steering bolt. The dealer performed an undisclosed repair, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's son diagnosed the vehicle using a code reader and retrieved a diagnostic trouble code for the power steering control module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025SteeringODI 11669222

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports1 crash
“Occasionally engine surges when in gear when brake is pressed.Car must be put in neutral and key turned iff. This happens only on occasionaly.I understand Ford has extended Throttle body warranty on this part to ten years on my ModelI visited local dealer who ran my VIN and advised there was no information on an extended warranty in his system.He said take it up with Ford.Ford customer service refered me back to the dealer.Can you assist in confirming Ford has extended the coverage to 10 years and if so how to proceed as Ford has denied any knowledge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11631938

Structure

6 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the passenger’s side B-Pillar trim became loosened. The failure progressed and, upon further inspection, the passenger’s side B-Pillar trim detached, and the driver’s side B-Pillar trim became loosened. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2026StructureODI 11753126

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“I am writing to report an unresolved safety recall for my vehicle. I received Safety Recall Notice 25V695 in October 2025, and as of today, the recall has not been resolved because the required repair parts remain unavailable. This recall involves a safety-related defect, and the extended delay in providing a remedy raises serious safety concerns. I have contacted authorized dealerships, and I have been informed that parts are still on backorder with no estimated availability date. Given the amount of time that has passed since the recall notice was issued, I do not believe this recall has been addressed within a reasonable timeframe. The ongoing lack of an available repair increases the risk associated with operating the vehicle under normal conditions. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed to ensure the manufacturer complies with its obligation to provide a timely and effective remedy for this safety recall. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11713605
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.