FLEX FUEL - LONG CRANK/HARD START.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Ford Taurus electrical problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
5fires
When does it fail?
Of the 19 electrical complaints filed for the 2005 Ford Taurus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NO CRANK - BATTERY DISCHARGED ON 3.0L 4V ENGINE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTCS P0760 AND P0763-4F50N TRANSAXLE-VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/15/2005. THIS MAY BE DUE TO A SHORTED TRANSAXLE INTERNAL HARNESS, CAUSED BY A SHARP EDGE ON THE INSIDE OF THE SIDE COVER CASTING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TENTHS DIGIT NOT DISPLAYED ON ODOMETER AFTER 10,000 MILES/KILOMETERS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two critical safety issues: sudden unintended acceleration and electrical fires. The acceleration problem starts intermittently, especially in wet or humid weather. The car revs and speeds up to 65 mph without the driver's foot on the gas pedal, and braking becomes ineffective. Owners resort to shifting into Neutral to regain control. Pressing the gas pedal or turning the engine off sometimes stops the runaway throttle. One owner's accelerator sticks at 50 mph; another had to put the car in Neutral at 45 mph to avoid hitting another vehicle.
Electrical fires are catastrophic. Multiple owners report burning smells and white smoke followed by black smoke and flames erupting from under the hood or dashboard. One fire destroyed the vehicle in less than a minute while the owner and three children were inside. Another owner's insurance paid only $8,000 for a car purchased for $30,000, leaving them still owing loan payments. One fire started when the owner plugged an air pump into the cigarette lighter. An owner mentions a recall involving cruise control wiring positioned too close to brake fluid.
Water intrusion is widespread. During heavy rain, water leaks into the passenger cabin under the dashboard, soaking carpeting and destroying insulation. The blower motor fails during wet weather, causing windshield fogging and visibility loss while driving. One inspection identified this as a known issue on 1995–2007 Taurus models, tracing water entry to the AC evaporator drain at the firewall. Transmission failures occur around 77,000 miles; one dealer blamed the transmission as "gone" after the vehicle stalled and sputtered.
Same Ford Taurus electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration — engine revving and loss of throttle control
Engine accelerates on its own without driver pressing the gas pedal. Owners report the car speeds up to 15–65 mph, reaching high RPM, and braking becomes difficult. The problem is intermittent and worse in wet/humid conditions. Placing the car in Neutral is often the only way to regain control. One owner reports the accelerator sticks at 50 mph.
When: Intermittent; owners cite foggy/rainy mornings, wet conditions. Mileage ranges from 43,000 to 107,000.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs and car accelerates without pedal input; Brake pedal becomes hard and less responsive; Cruise control not engaged but car maintains speed; Engine light illuminates; Transmission shifts erratically; Accelerator feels stuck
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Check Transmission Light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports transmission failure requiring replacement at 77,000 miles. One owner had damage from collision ($2,100) when accelerator stuck during parking.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer stated they cannot do anything if the incident cannot be reproduced. No recalls mentioned by owners for this specific failure.
Electrical fire — dashboard and engine compartment
Multiple owners report fires originating in the electrical system. Three fires started in or near the dashboard area; one owner mentions a recall concerning cruise control wiring being too close to brake fluid line. Fires occur during normal driving or shortly after starting the vehicle, spreading rapidly and destroying the vehicle. Smoke and burning odor precede flames.
When: At 85,000, 107,000, and 43,000 miles. Times range from morning drive startup to mid-trip. One fire at a green light while stopped.
Symptoms owners cite: Sweet or burning smell from engine/dashboard; White then black smoke from hood or under dashboard; All warning lights illuminate on instrument panel; Flames erupt from engine compartment or dashboard; Engine and vehicle engulfed in flames within seconds to minutes
Codes mentioned: Engine Light, All warning lights on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Four vehicles destroyed by fire. One owner states insurance paid only $8,000 despite paying $30,000 for the car in 2005. Owner still owed 12 months of loan payments. One fire occurred after plugging an air pump into the cigarette lighter.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Ford stated the vehicle did not miss any recalls. Owner references a recall about cruise control wiring proximity to brake fluid.
Water intrusion and wet carpeting affecting electrical components
Water leaks into the passenger-side cabin, particularly under the dashboard and floor mat area. Carpeting becomes soaked and develops mold. The water source is identified as the AC evaporator drain tube exiting at the firewall. One owner states this is a known issue on Taurus models 1995–2007. Water damage causes the blower motor to fail intermittently.
When: Occurs during moderate to heavy rainfall. Identified at 43,000 and 61,405 miles. One inspection notes the issue is endemic to the model year range.
Symptoms owners cite: Wet carpeting on passenger-side floor under dash; Mold growth under carpeting and floor mat; Blower motor will not work during wet weather; Windshield fogs over and cannot be cleared; Visibility issues while driving; Insulation destroyed by moisture
Repairs/costs cited: Water source traced to AC evaporator drain at firewall; drain does not appear clogged. Carpeting and insulation must be replaced. Floorboards show minor surface rust from trapped moisture.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One inspection recommends recall for this known issue affecting model years 1995–2007.
Cigarette lighter/power outlet electrical failure and fire hazard
Cigarette lighter and dashboard power outlets present a fire hazard. One owner plugged an air pump into the lighter and the wiring under the dashboard caught fire. Another owner reports hearing fuses popping under the dashboard when attempting to use the lighter.
When: Fire incident at 43,000 miles. Fuse popping incident at 60,000–61,405 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Wiring under dashboard catches fire when lighter is used; Audible fuse popping sounds under dashboard; Burning smell and smoke from dashboard area
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle's engine would not start after the lighter-related fire. Dealer has not inspected the other vehicle to diagnose the fuse failure.
Electrical system shutdown at highway speeds
Electrical system cuts out completely while driving at 65 mph, causing all gauges and electrical components to go dark. The engine does not stall, and the vehicle slowly decelerates. After about 5 seconds, the system restarts on its own.
When: One incident at 102,000 miles while driving interstate at 65 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: All gauges go dead; Electrical system shuts off completely; Vehicle begins to decelerate; System restarts without intervention after 5 seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce the issue and declined to pursue diagnosis or repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated if the incident cannot be reproduced, nothing can be done.
Instrument panel and starting intermittency due to computer failure
Instrument panel indicators flash constantly. Speedometer and tachometer work intermittently. Vehicle starts intermittently. Dealer diagnosed a faulty PCM/computer module requiring replacement.
When: Failure noted between 45,000 and 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel indicators flash constantly; Speedometer works intermittently; Tachometer works intermittently; Vehicle starts intermittently
Codes mentioned: PCM/computer module failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended replacement of the computer module.
Transmission failure and stalling after battery replacement
After a battery replacement, the vehicle stalled without warning in traffic and shifted erratically. One owner reports transmission failure requiring replacement. Another notes the car stalled at 45 mph. One owner reports erratic shifting and difficulty turning.
When: One incident shortly after battery replacement. Transmission failure reported at 77,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls in traffic; Erratic transmission shifting; Difficult turning; Engine light and Check Transmission alerts illuminate; Vehicle slows, sputters, and stops while in gear
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Check Transmission Light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner told transmission is gone and requires replacement. Engine light and transmission alerts active.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
This vehicle was in motion on a busy street. It slowed down,sputtered,and would not move.it was in gear (d) drive. I was able to coast it off the main street to safety.the engine light and the check transmission alerts were on. Accelerator seemed stuck as well. There are only 77,000 miles. I am told that the transmission is gone. There are more that 170 complaints concerning this car. Ford needs…
Had electrical trouble with your 2005 Ford Taurus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 60,000 and 106,200 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 106,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Ford/Taurus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.