2018 Ford TAURUS: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11090470 · 2018-04-27 (April 27, 2018)
THE LOWER ANCHORS FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THE REAR SEAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT BRUISING TO THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS AFTER A REAR-END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN A CAR STRUCK IT FROM BEHIND. *TT *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090470 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 11165053 · 2019-01-08 (January 8, 2019)
TURNED OFF ENGINE BUTTON W/O PUTTING IN PARK AND CAR ROLLED BACK ON MY DRIVEWAY
Owner-reported narrative. 993 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11180829 · 2019-02-18 (February 18, 2019)
ENGINE STUMBLES ON LIGHT ACCELERATION LIKE IT IS STARVING FOR FUEL. I HIT THE GAS, THE ENGINE STARTS TO RESPOND, THEN STUMBLES. DOESN'T NATTER IF THE ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY 2018 F-150. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING, AS IT DOESN'T PRODUCE A FAULT CODE AND IT DOESN'T ACT UP WHEN THEY TEST IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11180829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11270239 · 2019-10-22 (October 22, 2019)
B PILLAR TRIM CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, LEAVING SHARP UNFINISHED TRIM EXPOSED.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11270239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11350320 · 2020-08-19 (August 19, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERMAIN FORD OF COLUMBUS (7250 SAWMILL RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11350320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420272 · 2021-06-09 (June 9, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for routine oil service, the dealer noticed that a tow link was worn and advised the contact that the rear tow links needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,158.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,158 miles reported. Look up ODI 11420272 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V141000 · Electrical System:Ignition | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2018-03-01 (March 1, 2018)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Consequence: If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V072000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2020-02-10 (February 10, 2020)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Consequence: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V611000 · Structure:Exterior Trim
Reported: 2025-09-12 (September 12, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Consequence: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V695000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2025-10-13 (October 13, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗