What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Taurus?

Owners name the electrical system and the engine most often, with 47 complaints each. Steering follows with 25.

Does the 2011 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes. The count for this year is in the by-year fact, and the Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints are there for the 2011 Ford Taurus?

NHTSA has 187 owner complaints on file for this year. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.

Is the 2011 Ford Taurus reliable?

The record is mixed. Complaints cluster around the electrical system, engine and steering. See the Recalls and by-year sections on this page for more.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Ford Taurus?

See the Fuel economy section on this page.

2011 Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 187 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Taurus^[1]. The electrical system and the engine are named most often, with 47 complaints each^[2]^[3].

187owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[4]

20–22MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one group.

Electrical System. 47 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the car shutting itself off while driving, sometimes with a message asking them to shift to park. Some say a light touch on the start button was enough to cut the engine, which leaves less help from the brakes and steering.
Engine. 47 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, the engine stops at low and highway speeds and often restarts right away. Others describe the car speeding up or revving when they wanted to slow down, and dealers who could not find a cause.
Steering. 25 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the steering going heavy or lost while driving, with the power assist dropping out. A few connect it to the car shutting down.
Power Train. 18 complaints^[8]. Owners describe gear changes that feel rough, a car that slips out of gear, and a pause before it accelerates.
Unknown Or Other. 15 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 14 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 14 complaints^[11].
Brakes. 13 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 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.^[13]
Steering › Electric Power Assist System (15V340), June 2015. About 393,623 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
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.^[15]
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.^[16]

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, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Taurus AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	18 / 28 / 22	$3,050
Taurus FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[6]	4	4	5	4	11.3%
4 DR FWD^[20]	4	4	5	4	11.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Ford Taurus with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[21]	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^[22]	203 in	76 in	61 in	113 in	4,017 lb
TAURUS SEL/LIMITED/SHO 4DR SEDAN AWD^[23]	203 in	76 in	61 in	113 in	4,228 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Taurus model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[4].

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 187 complaints and 4 recalls for 2011^[4]. Among the 25 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 17 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (18) and the most are for 2002 (1,426)^[4]. 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 2011 Taurus?

The 2011 Taurus has a sizable complaint record, with 187 reports on file^[1]. Electrical and engine problems lead the list at 47 each^[2]^[3]. Steering comes next with 25^[7]. The reports include some crashes and injuries, so the shutdown and steering stories deserve attention^[1]. The page also lists recalls for this year, which are worth reading before you buy^[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Taurus?: Owners name the electrical system and the engine most often, with 47 complaints each^[2]^[3]. Steering follows with 25^[7].
Does the 2011 Ford Taurus have recalls?: Yes. The count for this year is in the by-year fact^[4], and the Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints are there for the 2011 Ford Taurus?: NHTSA has 187 owner complaints on file for this year^[1]. They are unverified reports and not adjusted for sales.
Is the 2011 Ford Taurus reliable?: The record is mixed. Complaints cluster around the electrical system, engine and steering^[2]^[3]^[7]. See the Recalls and by-year sections on this page for more.
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Ford Taurus?: See the Fuel economy section on this page.

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
2011 this page
2013 591 complaints, 9 recalls
2014 235 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 280 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Taurus

Other Ford models from 2011

2011 Ford Mustang 466 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 Ford Ranger 235 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 Ford Crown Victoria 23 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Edge 1,803 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Ford Escape 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Fiesta 730 complaints, 3 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2011: large cars

2011 BMW 7 Series 60 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Dodge Charger 699 complaints, 12 recalls
2011 Hyundai Genesis 146 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 Hyundai Sonata 3,474 complaints, 17 recalls
2011 Toyota Avalon 106 complaints, 1 recall

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 187 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Taurus (14 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,700). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,396). 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
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,700). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,500). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,181). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,800). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,650). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V247, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V340, filed June 2, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. 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, 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 turbo, Automatic (S6), 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 FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 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.

2011 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and fuel economy