2018 Ford TAURUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 48 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure | 10 |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Structure: 10; Back Over Prevention: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Suspension: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 17; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11429227 · 2021-08-16 (August 16, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact lost control of the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was caused by a fractured rear suspension toe link. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure however, his vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to b…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11429227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444846 · 2021-12-23 (December 23, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. Upon inspection of his vehicle, the contact was informed by a mechanic at the dealer that the passenger’s side rear brake pad had been severely worn and was close to making metal-to-metal contact with the rotor. Due to the failure, the contact had the brake pad replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and they informed him that brake pads should be replaced every 12 months or 18,000 miles. The contact questioned the manufacturer's statement since none of his other brake pads needed replacement …
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11444846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11556686 · 2023-11-24 (November 24, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 65 mph, the transmission, brakes, steering, and engine became inoperable, and the vehicle shut down and crashed into the side railing. The vehicle tipped on its side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The child passenger who was using a car seat positioned in the rear passenger seat sustained injuries that left the occupant in a coma, and medical attention was provided. The other occupants in the driver and passenger front seats and the occupant in t…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 11556686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11557073 · 2023-11-27 (November 27, 2023)
After exiting thruway after driving 10-15 minutes, car shuts off at a stop sign/traffic light. notice on screen right hand side state transmission not in park. I put car into park then restart vehicle. This has happened three times in last 6 months. Taken to dealer and they cannot reproduce problem or when scanned, no problem shows up.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11557073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122264 · 2018-08-25 (August 25, 2018)
EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR, IT MAKES AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL HUMMING/BUZZING SOUND. THE CAR MAKES THE SOUND WHETHER ITS SITTING IN IDLE OR WHEN IM DRIVING. IT IS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AND SOMETIMES SOUNDS LIKE A STATIC IN/OUT BUZZING/HUMMING SOUND. IVE HAD A COUPLE OF MECHANICS LISTEN TO IT AND THEY SAID ITS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME ITS SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. YOU HEAR THE SOUND MORE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT ON THE FLOOR. IT IS AGGRAVATING. THIS IS A BRAND NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721412 · 2026-03-02 (March 2, 2026)
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 tota…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11640297 · 2025-02-03 (February 3, 2025)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the message "Transmission not in Park(P)" was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to operating normally. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehic…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11640297 at NHTSA ↗