Ford Taurus problems
774 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.
- 1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the cruise-control
- Engine: 50 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 63,000–100,019 mi
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated when the consumer hit some black ice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the throttle body had failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Ford taurus. While driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The issue occurred very frequently. In addition, the vehicle would stall and idle, but not completely shut off. The contact took the vehicle to an independent…
After it rains, the passenger side floorboard is soaked. There is also rust on the metal parts in the glove box as well as drip stains. I have reported this several times to the dealer since I purchased the car and was told it is just moisture causing the rust (such a lie).…
The car was started then it was being shifted from park to drive, the driver side air bag went off, before getting it in to drive (made it to neutral).this happened in the driveway.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Ford Taurus reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 774 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Ford Taurus has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Ford Taurus?
On the NHTSA data, the 2005 Ford Taurus is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the cruise-control; Engine: 50 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 63,000–100,019 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Ford Taurus?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 473 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,289 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 98,289 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Taurus has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Ford Taurus?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 774 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.