What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Taurus?

Owners filed the most complaints about the engine, then steering, power train and brakes.

Has the 2010 Ford Taurus been recalled?

Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2010 Ford Taurus reliable?

The complaint record has a mix of engine, steering, power train and brake reports. See the problems section and the recalls list, then get an inspection before buying.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Ford Taurus?

See the fuel section on this page for the figures.

2010 Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2010 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA has 204 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 204 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Taurus^[1]. 17 of them mention a crash^[1].

204owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[2]

20–22MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the biggest groups.

Engine. 48 complaints^[4]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving, sometimes on the highway, and dealers often could not find the cause.
Steering. 41 complaints^[5]. Owners describe warning lights, power steering that quits, rubbing noises when turning and fluid showing up near the steering rack.
Power Train. 36 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the car slipping into the wrong gear, hesitating at speed and, in one case, rolling after being shut off.
Brakes. 33 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a grinding noise when stopping that came back even after pads and rotors were replaced.
Speed Control. 24 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 19 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 13 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 11 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Taurus is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal (16V247), April 2016. About 695 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Structure › Body › Door (15V040), January 2015. About 194,889 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Exterior Lighting (14V285), May 2014. About 183,425 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Taurus AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[15]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Taurus AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[16]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	18 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD/AWD^[18]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	11.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Ford Taurus with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[19]	263 to 365 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
TAURUS SE/SEL 4DR SEDAN FWD^[20]	203 in	76 in	61 in	113 in	4,017 lb
TAURUS SEL/LIMITED/SHO 4DR SEDAN AWD^[21]	203 in	76 in	61 in	113 in	4,228 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Taurus model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[2].

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

NHTSA's counts for the Taurus show 204 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010^[2]. Among the 25 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 16 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (18) and the most are for 2002 (1,426)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Taurus?

The complaint file for this Taurus is sizable, and it leans toward engine, steering, power train and brake trouble^[1]. Some reports involve crashes and injuries, so the safety side deserves a careful look^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. A car with a clean service history and a pre-purchase inspection that checks these areas is a reasonable find. Check the recall list and the other sections on this page before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Taurus?: Owners filed the most complaints about the engine, then steering, power train and brakes^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7].
Has the 2010 Ford Taurus been recalled?: Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[2]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2010 Ford Taurus have?: NHTSA has 204 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2010 Ford Taurus reliable?: The complaint record has a mix of engine, steering, power train and brake reports^[1]. See the problems section and the recalls list, then get an inspection before buying.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Ford Taurus?: See the fuel section on this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Taurus

1996 849 complaints, 6 recalls
1999 895 complaints, 5 recalls
2000 1,195 complaints, 8 recalls
2001 1,037 complaints, 9 recalls
2002 1,426 complaints, 3 recalls
2003 1,223 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 375 complaints, 1 recall
2006 318 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 this page
2011 187 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 591 complaints, 9 recalls
2014 235 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 280 complaints, 6 recalls
2016 85 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Taurus

Other Ford models from 2010

2010 Ford Transit Connect 42 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Ford Edge 673 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Ford Escape 2,129 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Ford Flex 139 complaints, 1 recall
2010 Ford Focus 287 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 Ford Fusion 5,639 complaints, 11 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2010: large cars

2010 Dodge Charger 238 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Hyundai Genesis 156 complaints, 5 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 204 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Taurus (17 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 16 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Taurus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
48 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,750). NHTSA vehicle records
41 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,500). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,431). NHTSA vehicle records
33 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,500). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,250). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V247, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V040, filed January 28, 2015: Structure › Body › Door . NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V285, filed May 29, 2014: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Taurus AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Taurus with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 263 to 365 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAURUS SE/SEL 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 203 in, width 76 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,017 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAURUS SEL/LIMITED/SHO 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 203 in, width 76 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,228 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and fuel economy