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2000 Ford Taurus

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2000 Ford Taurus has 1,210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (663 complaints) and electrical (195 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Taurus, consider the 2019 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2019 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2019 Ford Taurus dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 7

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

01V048000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER SEDANS WITH FACTORY OR DEALER-INSTALLED DECK LID SPOILERS WITH LED CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMPS (CHMSL). VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH SPOILERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM M...

Risk

UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD, THE CHMSL SHALL BE ACTIVATED ONLY UPON APPPLICATION OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. ALSO, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, IF THE SHIFT LEVER C...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER/RESISTOR ASSEMBLY AT THE SPOILER THAT PROVIDES AN ELECTRICAL RESISTOR TO GROUND AND CORRECTS THE CHMSL AND BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK CONDITIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

04V332000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESO...

Risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

00V242000 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE "VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT" AND "DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITY" INFORMATION WAS NOT PRINTED ON THE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABELS AFFIXED TO THESE VEHICLES...

Risk

EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

04V106000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CA...

Risk

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN ...

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. ...

Reported Feb 3, 2004

02V266000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICAT...

Risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF TH...

Reported Feb 10, 2002

01V078000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO...

Risk

A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHO...

Reported Dec 3, 2001

01V075000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL BY A SUPPLIER, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB CAN FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Risk

THIS WOULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY FOR THE DRIVER TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE...

Reported Dec 3, 2001

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20006639519516691
2001702891138852
20021186461048846
200363636141111299
200418719475567
20054622643138103
200617323375926
2007636303713
2008718233735
20092248235
20107130195228
20116011505016
201235424141
201333355216629
2014949348610
20151232249412
20164339191
20172111281
2018251784
201960320

By Category

Body
663
Electrical
195
Engine
166
Brakes
95
Transmission
91

By Severity

1
559
2
520
3
6
4
124
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

Vehicle Has A Heavy Power Steering Fluid Leak!!! Will Be Taking It To The Shop To Diagnose The Concern!!! I Was Checking To See If There Were Any Campaigns Or Recalls Reported!!!

26mo ago
Electrical 4

Someone pulled out in front of me as I was slowing down to make a left turn. I T-boned their vehicle while going 35mph, resulting in a total loss for my 2000 Ford Taurus. (This was in 2018 so it was not a new car). My driver steering wheel airbag DID NOT deploy. I was wearing my seat belt. I still have chest pains when I sneeze and cough, even 4 years later (in November 2022, at time of writing), and in the last year (2021) received a cortisone shot in my left shoulder. I was offered a neck brace in the ambulance and was prescribed an arm sling in the hospital. I was diagnosed with whiplash. I believe I was given pain medication. Someone from the NHTSA in Indiana contacted me and we spoke briefly about it that week, so this may have been previously reported to this agency. I only found out this week that the 2000 Ford Taurus had a history of airbag issues, which is why I bring this up now. I think the car has already been scrapped, so no chance of examination unfortunately. As above, my safety was in jeopardy. Had I been going faster, I could have died. (Apparently someone DID die from a faulty Taurus front airbag.) I, to this day, have chest pain down to my elbows when I sneeze or cough. My doctor says it's a musculoskeletal strain. Ford has not issued recalls for airbags. The vehicle was declared totaled on scene by the police officer and then towed by a towing service. The towing service said the undeployed airbag was "a ticking time bomb" and really unsafe to attempt to repair. I sent pictures to the at-fault driver's insurance, so it was also inspected by insurance. I do not remember any seeing warning messages. I would have checked any unfamiliar warnings or dash lights. Side note: For number of injured, I think I was the only one to take an ambulance. At-fault driver first hesitated to call 911, but eventually did. There were two people in his car, including himself: driver, and passenger in front seat.

44mo ago
Transmission 1

WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, MY TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES & MY ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE UNTIL I RECOVER FROM THE TURN.

72mo ago
Engine 2

IT PRESENTED A SERIES OF MISSED FIRED AND OVER HEATING ON THE ROAD , AFTER DRIVING AROUND 150 MILES , THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL AND IT LOSS POWER MAKE IT ON SAFE TO DRIVE . THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS ICED UP LIKE A FRIDGE AND LESS COOLING IN AN OVER WHOLE LOOK THE CAR NEED SAFETY CONTROL AND ALL OF THIS CAN CLEARLY SEEN ON THE CITY ROAD WAY .

75mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO SHUT OFF, WHICH REQUIRED THE BATTERY CABLE TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE EVENT THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS, HIGH BEAMS, AND FOG LIGHTS SHORT OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

85mo ago
Electrical 1

JUNE 2018 PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET BY MY GRANDDAUGHTER, NO THERE NO SIGNS OF A COLLISION. IT WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC.

86mo ago
Engine 4

PART OF THE ENGINE, TOP PORTION CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET NEAR MY RESIDENCE IN LANCASTER, CA. I NOTICED THE SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT.

90mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE UNSAFE AIRBAGS AND THEY SEEMED TO FEEL AS IF IT WAS NO BIG DEAL AND TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX MY AIRBAGS.

106mo ago
Engine 1

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A BAD NOIZ IN THE MOTOR AND MY SUSPENSION IS BAD

108mo ago
Engine 1

RETURNING FROM LAKE GEORGE WE EXPERIENCED A LOUD RATTLING ,SHAKING NOISE. WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE PULLED OVER TO A SAFE SPOT AND WERE TOWED TO SUPERIOR AUTO ON 19TH ST. IN BROOKLYN. AWAITING PART SEARCH!?!

111mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS WERE BENT WITH EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE SPRING COILS AND STRUTS. THE DEALER FAILED TO INDICATE IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

111mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL ODOR HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE 2012. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH AT TIMES. ALSO THE TIRES SPIN WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/30/2017*JS

115mo ago
Engine 2

CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AT TIMES. GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED BUT ENGINE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING FUEL. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS -- HITTING ACCELERATOR -- ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY "CATCH" AND LURCH FORWARD. SEEMS TO BE A THROTTLE PROBLEM, BUT FORD DEALER WILL NOT ADDRESS. EVEN THOUGH CAR FALLS IN RECALL RANGE FOR 2000-2003 TAURUSES WITH "STICKY" THROTTLES (RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2013), DEALER SAYS IT IS "NOT ON RECALL LIST." OVER 450,000 VEHICLES ARE -- BUT APPARENTLY MINE IS NOT ONE OF THEM. SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ME. YOU'RE DRIVING IN A 55 MPH ZONE AN SUDDENLY YOUR CAR SLOWS TO 20 MPH NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THEN AFTER 20 SECONDS IT SUDDENLY TAKES OFF? NOT GOOD. *TR

118mo ago
Body 1

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH AND I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS GAINING SPEED. I THEN SHIFTED IN TO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR BEGAN TO REV TO 4K RPMS. MY THROTTLE HAD GOT STUCK. I TAPPED THE PEDAL AND GOT IT TO STOP. TURNED AROUND AND PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT HOME AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME PUSHING ME THROUGH A REDLIGHT.

118mo ago
Electrical 4

I CONTACTED FORD IN 2011 BECAUSE MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND EXPLODED. THEY WROTE ME A LETTER ASKING FOR RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD BOUGHT IT USED FROM REYNOLDS FORD IT HAD 1 OWNER. I DID HAVE IT FIXED BY PEOPLE NOT AT FORD AND OIL CHANGES NOT AT FORD . I BOUGTH A NEW CAR BUT THE FIRE WAS SCARY AND MY LIABILTY DOES NOT PAY FOR IT. I RECENTLY SAW ANOTHER CAR ON FACEBOOK IT LOOKED LIKE MY CAR IA SKED WHAT KIND OF CAR IS THAT THEY SAID A 2000 FORD TAURUS. I BLEIVE THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED WHEN I TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY I JUMPED OUT RIGHT AWAY OR I WOULD HAVE BURNED AND THANK GOD I HAD NO CHILDREN WITH ME. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU. PLEASE LET ALL OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS KNOW MY CAR HAD JUST HIT 200,000 MILES. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT. FORD SHOULD HAVE THE RECORDS OF THE PICTURES I SENT TO THEM. I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD I OULLED OVER FAST UNDID MY SEAT BELT AND GRAB MY PURSE AS SOON AS I DID THAT THE MOTOR EXPLODED AND WAS ON FIRE. WITNESS SAID THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THE FIREMAN WERE THERE PRETTY FAST AND THEY BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

122mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE SUBFRAME THAT HELD THE TWO REAR TIRES WAS ALSO RUSTED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR TIRES MORE FREQUENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

122mo ago
Engine 2

BROKEN SPEED CONTROL CABLE. BROKEN IN THE SAME PLACE AS PICTURED IN MANY ONLINE PHOTOS AS BEING RECALLED YET THE FORD DEALER SAYS THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED. SAME THING HAPPENED WITH A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK. DOES ANYONE RESEARCH THE RECALLS, THEY ARE NOT COMPLETE. THE NHTSA IS NO BETTER THAN THE BBB. JUST A COMPLAINT BLOG.

123mo ago
Electrical 2

MY 2000 FORD TAURUS SES IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING THE RADIO IS PLAYING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING.AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO SUDDENLY TURNS OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK.THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING AGAIN.AS BEFORE,WHILE I AM DRIVING THE RADIO GOES OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AGAIN AND THEY WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

126mo ago
Transmission 2

TRANSMISSION COME AND GOES WHEN IT WANT TO ANY EQUIPMENT RECALLS ON 2000 FORD TAURUS

126mo ago
Transmission 1

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AS IF IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING ABOUT TO HAPPEN TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SLIPPING OR ACTING UP PRIOR TO THIS. JUST GLAD THERE WAS NOT HEAVY TRAFFIC AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SCENARIO. AFTER RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. WONDERING WHY FORD HAS NOT DOWN SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BOUGHT A FORD TAURUS BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A VERY SAFE CAR FOR A YOUNG DRIVER.

126mo ago

1210 total

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