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2006 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners of the 2006 Taurus filed 318 complaints with NHTSA, and more than half name the speed control group[1][2]. The car has two recalls on file, and the EPA rates it at 20 mpg combined[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 318 complaints for this model year, including 19 that mention a crash, 4 a fire and 12 injuries[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below overlap. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Speed control[2] | 176 |
| Engine[5] | 43 |
| Power train[6] | 32 |
| Brakes[7] | 26 |
| Electrical system[8] | 25 |
| Air bags[9] | 21 |
| Structure[10] | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[11] | 12 |
Speed control. This group has 176 complaints, 7 crashes and 2 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 91,000[2]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, every one describes the car speeding up on its own or the pedal sticking, in some cases with the brakes struggling to slow the car[2].
Engine. There are 43 complaints, 2 fires and a median mileage of 92,500[5]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, several describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving or stopped[5].
Power train. There are 32 complaints with a median mileage of 87,000[6]. In a sample of 12 we read, 4 describe the car stopping, losing drive or rolling as if in neutral, 3 describe engine speed surging, and 2 describe the car lunging forward when started in cold weather[6].
Brakes. There are 26 complaints, 5 crashes and 3 injuries, with a median mileage of 68,937[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 6 describe weak or failed braking and 3 describe the brakes locking up and the car sliding[7].
Air bags. This group has only 21 complaints, but 9 mention a crash and 8 an injury[9]. We did not read a sample of these texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.
The electrical system (25 complaints[8]), structure (15[10]) and fuel/propulsion (12[11]) groups are smaller.
Recalls
NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2006 model year[3].
- Air bag indicator lamp (06V119). Issued April 10, 2006[12]. It covered 19 vehicles built for one fleet customer that got a hands-free phone wiring change[12]. The passenger air bag off indicator lamp would not light, and the air bag warning lamp stayed on[12]. The fleet customer was notified and all vehicles were repaired[12].
- Wiper motor (05V520). Issued November 9, 2005, for 199,942 trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles[13]. Some wiper motors may have been built without grease on a gear. After long use on high speed, the gear could break and the wipers could stop working, which could hurt visibility in bad weather[13]. The fix is a dealer inspection, with grease added to the gears if needed[13].
Fuel economy
The EPA lists two ratings for the 3.0L 6-cylinder with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive[4][14].
- On regular gasoline: 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350[4].
- On gasoline or E85: 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg, with the same $3,350 estimate[14].
The EPA cost estimate uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not rated this model year in its 5-Star program[15][16]. Both listed versions, 4-DR FWD and 4-DR W/SAB FWD, show as not rated[15][16].
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine for this car[4]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US models[17].
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1,214 | 7 |
| 1996 | 849 | 6 |
| 1997 | 800 | 3 |
| 1998 | 555 | 2 |
| 1999 | 895 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1,195 | 8 |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 9 |
| 2002 | 1,426 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1,223 | 3 |
| 2004 | 375 | 1 |
| 2005 | 774 | 0 |
| 2006 | 318 | 2 |
| 2007 | 149 | 0 |
| 2008 | 328 | 1 |
| 2009 | 75 | 1 |
| 2010 | 204 | 3 |
| 2011 | 187 | 4 |
| 2012 | 79 | 5 |
| 2013 | 591 | 9 |
| 2014 | 235 | 5 |
| 2015 | 280 | 6 |
| 2016 | 85 | 4 |
| 2017 | 44 | 4 |
| 2018 | 52 | 4 |
| 2019 | 18 | 2 |
The 2006 Taurus has 318 complaints and 2 recalls on file[3]. Every earlier year from 1995 to 2005 has more complaints, from 375 in 2004 to 1,426 in 2002[3]. Two later years also have more: 2008 with 328 and 2013 with 591[3]. The other later years have fewer, including 149 for 2007 and 75 for 2009[3].
On recalls, 2006 is on the low side. Only five Taurus years have fewer: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009[3]. The most are 9, in 2001 and 2013[3].
Should you buy a used 2006 Taurus?
The complaint record points to one area to check closely. In the speed control group, the sample we read describes unwanted acceleration[2]. Stalling and loss of drive also show up in smaller samples[5][6]. A test drive that includes stops and highway speeds is a sensible step, and a mechanic can check the brakes. Of the two recalls, one was fleet-only and fully repaired[12], and the other is a dealer inspection of the wiper motor[13]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as signals to check[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Taurus?
- NHTSA lists 176 speed control complaints out of 318 total[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the car speeding up on its own[2]. Engine, power train and brake complaints number 43, 32 and 26[5][6][7].
- Does the 2006 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
- Yes, two. Recall 06V119 covered 19 fleet vehicles and all were repaired[12]. Recall 05V520 covered wiper motors on 199,942 vehicles, with a dealer inspection as the fix[13].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Ford Taurus?
- The EPA rates it at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg on regular gasoline[4]. On gasoline or E85 it is 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined[14].
- Is the 2006 Taurus better or worse than other Taurus years?
- By complaint count, 318 is lower than every year from 1995 to 2005, 2008 and 2013, and higher than the other later years[3].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 318 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Ford Taurus (19 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 176 complaints name the speed control component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Taurus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 43 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 32 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,937). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 06V119, filed April 10, 2006: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V520, filed November 9, 2005: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAURUS 4DR SEDAN /SE/SEL: length 198 in, width 73 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,336 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov