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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-FORD-TAURUSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2006 Ford Taurus problems
The 2006 Ford Taurus has 318 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Ford Taurus has 318 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is cruise control at 153 complaints, typically surfacing around 99,552 miles (~$600 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Taurus?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Engine: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 66,125–113,000 mi
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2006 Ford Taurus? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
cruise control — 153 owner reports
· tends to show around 99,552 mi · ~$600 to fix
powertrain — 27 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,841 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 25 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,050 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,061 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 91,050 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Taurus· cruise control
Recently while I was driving my cruise control completely stopped working. Two days after that I was slowing for a red light and I noticed that my car was revving up in gears as I was slowing down. I was barely able to get my car to stop and I shut it down to prevent accident.…
Tl* - the contact stated that passenger's side mirror appeared to show objects further than it should. The contact took vehicle back to the dealership, and they told him that the mirror was the standard regulation mirror for all vehicles, and that they could not remove it…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Ford taurus. The contact stated that the air bag indicator light illuminated intermittently and the service engine light remained illuminated. The mechanic performed a tune-up; however, the lights remained illuminated. In addition, the driver's side…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford taurus. The contact stated that during precipitation, water would leak into the vehicle through the windshield, causing the heater and air conditioning motor to shorten. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the…
Had a problem with your 2006 Ford Taurus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598
A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear
After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or Lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Ford Taurus reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 318 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 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 2006 Ford Taurus?
The 2006 Ford Taurus is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 66,125–113,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Ford Taurus?
Inspect the cruise control first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 153 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 99,552 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Ford Taurus a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 318 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is cruise control. Typical failure occurs around 99,552 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Ford Taurus?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 153 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 99,552 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 99,552 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 2006 Ford Taurus?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 318 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Ford/Taurus.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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