Is the 2013 Ford Taurus a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Taurus years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Ford Taurus are in line with other Taurus years. Steering and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 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 95,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 295 (50%) | 70k–124k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 107 (18%) | 62k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 25 (4%) | 33k–129k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 73 (12%) | 48k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 59 (10%) | 50k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 44 (8%) | 43k–93k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 18 (3%) | 30k–79k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (2%) | 1k–85k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 18 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | 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 95,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 585 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 38 say the car was towed.
15 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My car has 86,621 miles and the thermostat light came on. I took to my mechanic and they told me that there is leaking around the water pump and it has to be replaced.
While driving to a dr apptointment I was on the freeway at about 70 MPH when the car stalled, I lost acceleration and a wrench light came appeared.
I was driving on the highway at about 65 MPH and my car jerked, malfunction indicator light came on and my car began to decelerate, the gas pedal did not work, and the car began to rough idle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 95,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Ford Taurus: 9
The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension. A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump. A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation. If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning. If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion. This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
In the affected vehicles, with sufficient door openings and closings, the child safety locks may change from an activated position to a deactivated position without notice. If the child lock is deactivated, the door could be unlocked and opened from the inside which could lead to personal injury to an unrestrained child.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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: 89
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Ford Taurus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A…
Some vehicles may exhibit poor A/C performance/improper climate function and/or a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P06A0 in the powertrain control module (PCM)
2013-2017 Edge/MKX/Flex/MKT/MKZ/MKS/Taurus/Taurus Police/Explorer/Explorer Police/Continental vehicles equipped with a 3.5L or 3.7L engine…
Neighbouring years
2012 Taurus: 79 complaints, keep it · 2014 Taurus: 230 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford Taurus year
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Questions
Is the 2013 Ford Taurus a bad year?
585 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Taurus years. At 95,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Taurus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (295), fuel system (107), suspension (25), engine (73), electrical system (59).
How many recalls does the 2013 Ford Taurus have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 20V-072), Fuel system (NHTSA 16V-621), Fuel system (NHTSA 15V-812), Steering (NHTSA 15V-340) and more. 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.