2011 FORD TAURUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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4/5

★★★★

Safety Rating

251

Owner Complaints

20 Crashes 2 Fires 1 Death

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

3

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2011 FORD TAURUS

The 2011 FORD TAURUS has received a total of 251 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (46 complaints), Engine (40 complaints), and Steering (25 complaints).

Recalls for the 2011 FORD TAURUS

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2011 FORD TAURUS, potentially affecting up to 772,632 vehicles.

Recall 16V247000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

| 695 vehicles affected

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of...

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's...

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Recall 15V340000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

| 393,623 vehicles affected

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available...

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes...

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Recall 15V040000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

| 194,889 vehicles affected

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position...

Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number...

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Recall 14V285000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 183,425 vehicles affected

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in...

Consequence: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under...

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Owner Complaints for the 2011 FORD TAURUS

251 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 FORD TAURUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 46 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 40 1 Crash 1 Fire
Steering
Complaints: 25 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 15 2 Crashes
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 15 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 13 3 Crashes
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 12 1 Crash
Service Brakes
Complaints: 12
Air Bags
Complaints: 8 5 Crashes 9 Injuries
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 8
Structurebody
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes 2 Injuries 1 Death
Seats
Complaints: 6 1 Fire 4 Injuries
Suspension
Complaints: 6
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 4
Wheels
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Structure
Complaints: 3
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 2
Back Over Prevention Camera System
Complaints: 1
Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlthrottle
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11704995 | SEAT BELTS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
I hit a dirt embankment the seatbelts did not lock and I ended up smashing my head off of my steering wheel and my passenger ended up smashing their head off of my dashboard.
#11695639 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
The rear view backup camera visual is located in my rearview mirror it is just a blue screen whenever I put the car in reverse it just one day stopped working I've been waiting for it to be on the recall list and for some reason this year a 2011 is not on the recall list but it should be
#11689907 | TIRES:TREAD/BELT | | N/A miles
Last June I noticed the car constantly shaking. Took it to Goodyear plaza tire in Alexandria mn and they said they didn't find anything wrong and it's normal to have tires feel like they are shaking while driving. The tires are 255/45R19 Then in July of 2025, I wanted a tire rotation and wheels balanced. The mechanic says they can't because the tread is almost gone and I'd have 5000 left before I could get new tires. About 2000 miles later I noticed the tread separating from the wires on 3 of the 4 tires. They have been kept properly inflated and rotated every 5000 to 6000 miles. Usually every other oil change. Again I was told it's normal since the tires mostly last 30,000 miles and is rated for 40,000. I don't think it's right.
#11688951 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Driving on access rd. Car stalled in middle of traffic. Glad I was not driving on highway. Lucky several drivers helped push car into a gas station. Saw water leak under car. There were no codes or indicators of over heating. Let car cool off. Noticed water in coolant reservoir. still was able to add 1 gal and half of water. Car turned on, drove it home which is about 3 miles. Water leak near the oil pan and block. After a long cooling period, noticed 3 hairline cracks on the bottom part of block. Cracked block Checked oil and noticed the oil was real thin and milky. Signs of water pump failure. Car is sitting on driveway. Only option is to replace the 156k miles engine. Cost is very expensive. Don't have money to fix. There should be a recall for this issue. Very dangerous.
#11687134 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
2011 Ford Taurus Limited 37'000 miles Original owner Like New Condition. Engine and all systems working perfectly no check engine or other lights showing. I was driving on city street about 25mph and with no warning engine and dash all shut down I had no crank and no dash lights at all. while I waited for tow truck dash lights did come on and anti theft light was flashing very fast. If I had been driving on Interstate 80 I may have been killed with all the Semi's that are always there. This happened August 7th 2025 It has been at the FORD dealership by my house for 25 work days and all they have done is checked the computer and said no power so replaced comp with rebuilt one and still no power so that is where I'm at. If you have seen this before please tell me ,they have no clue THANKS

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Safety Rating for the 2011 FORD TAURUS

The 2011 FORD TAURUS received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★ (4/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 FORD TAURUS

Ford Motor Company has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 FORD TAURUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TSB-14-0023 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

FORD: AT REAR WINDOW GLASS, AROUND HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP AREA, HEADLINER IS DROPPING DOWN OR IS LOOSE, ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO MOUNTING BRACKETS SEPARATING FROM HEADLINER. MODEL 2011-2014 TAURUS. *PE

TSB-14-0019 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

FORD/LINCOLN: SOME VEHICLES WILL EXPERIENCE A LACK OF AIR CONDITIONING (AC) PERFORMANCE, WITH DUAL ENGINE COOLING FANS, WHILE STATIONARY OR MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND/OR OVERHEAT. MODEL 2011-2012 TAURUS, MKS, EXPLORER, FLEX, MKT. *PE

AS-21759 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FORD: 2010-2011 TAURUS. THERE MAY BE AN OIL LEAK FROM THE TURBOCHARGER OIL FEED LINES OR A SEAL. *RM

NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 FORD TAURUS

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD TAURUS

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Other FORD Models

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