Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Ford Taurus problems

Owners filed 52 complaints about the 2018 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is back over prevention (15).

Complaints
52
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Back over prevention15
  2. Structure11
  3. Suspension7
  4. Power train7
  5. Electrical system7
  6. Engine and engine cooling4
  7. Engine3
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Steering1
  10. Service brakes1
  11. Service brakes, air1
  12. Exterior lighting1
  13. Fuel/propulsion system1
  14. Seat belts1

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 9, 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
20182
20193
20201
20213
20222
20234
20242
202517
202618

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

15 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Two local dealers, including Huntley Ford (13900 Automall Dr, Huntley, IL 60142) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Back over preventionODI 11771609

Structure

11 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the passenger’s side B-pillar trim had detached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An appointment was scheduled by the manufacturer to another local dealer, Gengras Ford Service (225 New Britain Ave, Plainville, CT 06062), where the dealer requested to keep the vehicle overnight to inspect, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer declined to provide a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a ticket. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Structure, Back over preventionODI 11758543

Suspension

7 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Components Involved: Engine Block Mounting Boss, Intermediate Shaft Bracket (Service Part # DB5Z-3K305-CA), Factory Bolt (OEM # W500131-S437) Incident Overview: During a low-speed (about 5mph) lateral impact to the front-right wheel against a curb, expected sacrificial suspension damage occurred (snapped CV axle, separated lower ball joint). However, lateral force transferred through the passenger-side intermediate shaft directly into its carrier bearing mounting bracket. Instead of the cast mounting bracket (DB5Z-3K305-B) absorbing the force or breaking, the lateral stress sheared the cast mounting boss entirely off the engine block. Engineering Flaw & Dimensions: This design presents a critical flaw in the crash load path and failure hierarchy: Improper Leverage: The 84mm thick cast bracket acts as a rigid lever against a small, brittle ~17mm cast engine block boss. Inverted Material Sacrificing: The over-engineered bracket survives the impact, transferring fatal structural damage to the non-replaceable engine block instead of acting as a sacrificial fuse. Inadequate Thread Engagement: The factory 95mm flange bolt (W500131-S437) only utilizes 11mm of thread…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Suspension, Power trainODI 11757584

Power train

7 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on a slightly inclined parking lot, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact engaged the electric parking brake, and the vehicle responded as intended. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while parking the vehicle on an incline, requiring the electric parking brake to be engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not associated with a recall due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11728586

Electrical system

7 reports1 related recall
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 65,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 99,000. The contact stated that the seller's father was a dealer and had advised that the issue would be corrected; however, the contact was concerned about further fraudulent business practices.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11727302

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was left at the independent mechanic for the oil change. While riding the bus, on the way home they mechanic called the contact to inform them that the vehicle had caught fire and the engine had burned while in their parking lot. The fire possibly originated from the battery, per the mechanic center however the contact mentioned the battery was recently replaced with a new battery. The contact had not been able to retrieve the vehicle and was unsure if the vehicle was totaled. The dealer had been reaching out to the contact to offer a trade-in or buy-back option. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2026Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 11721412
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.