Is the 2004 Ford Taurus a bad year?
375 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 72, 7.2× a quiet Taurus year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 83k–131k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Taurus owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 104,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 164 (44%) | 70k–138k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 72 (19%) | 83k–131k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 42 (11%) | 72k–127k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 26 (7%) | 55k–130k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 26 (7%) | 64k–139k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 16 (4%) | 70k–127k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 13 (3%) | 55k–115k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 10 (3%) | 67k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | 70k–128k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 21 (6%) | 36k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 17 (5%) | 43k–95k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (3%) | 41k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 6 (2%) | 20k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 104,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 375 complaints: 36 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 19 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Nothing, no warning. That is the major issue. Read and review the many complaints Ford is getting posted on transmissions all over the internet.
I have a 2004 taurus which without warning just coasted while on the interstate. Problem identified as transmission problem.
Coming down poway road in poway, ca it was very difficult to stop and it seemed the engine was revving. I pulled over to a safe turnout and it was difficult to stop completely as the brakes were spongy.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 104,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Ford Taurus: 2
These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded. The seat may not perform as intended during a crash which could increase the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 3
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Ford Taurus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Stuck throttle
Engine stalling ffv
Neighbouring years
2003 Taurus: 1,223 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2005 Taurus: 773 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford Taurus year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Taurus years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Ford Taurus a bad year?
375 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 72, 7.2× a quiet Taurus year. At 104,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 83k–131k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Taurus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (164), transmission and drivetrain (72), engine (42), brakes (26), electrical system (26). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 83k–131k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Taurus have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 16E026000), Seats (NHTSA 04V-330). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.