FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Taurus powertrain problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 13 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Taurus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 powertrain 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most consistent complaint is torque converter failure causing complete loss of drive power without warning, typically between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. Owners describe the vehicle rolling to a stop in traffic with no noise or prior symptoms; one transmission shop owner stated he sees this defect routinely on this generation. Repair costs run around $3,000, and aftermarket manufacturers have created strengthened replacement converters specifically because the OEM part fails so frequently.
A second major complaint is unintended acceleration—some owners report the throttle getting stuck when braking, others describe the engine racing with cruise control on. One owner had an electronic sensor replaced, but the same acceleration occurred again within a month.
Owners also report transmission fluid leaking from the torque converter area, dipstick seals not seating properly, and a check transmission light appearing repeatedly. At mid-range speeds (35–40 mph), some cars exhibit hesitation and shaking. One owner at 31,000 miles needed a gearshift cable replacement because Drive and Reverse became difficult to engage. Ford Service acknowledged the safety risk of these failures but reported parts unavailable for months. No owner reported receiving a recall notice.
Same Ford Taurus powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Torque converter failure — loss of drive
Torque converter fails internally, causing complete loss of forward and/or reverse propulsion. Vehicle may be stranded mid-drive with engine still running. Shop owners report seeing this routinely on this generation around 60k–90k miles. Aftermarket manufacturers have made strengthened replacement converters in response to the prevalence of this failure.
When: 60,000–102,000 miles; one failure at 75,000 miles noted
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power to wheels with no warning noise; Vehicle will not move forward or backward despite engine running; Jumping sensation at highway speeds before complete loss of drive; Engine stalled at various speeds after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Aftermarket strengthened torque converters available; OEM repair cost cited as ~$3,000. One owner had converter replaced twice within months.
Unintended acceleration / throttle control malfunction
Vehicle accelerates without driver input, particularly when braking or with cruise control engaged. One owner reports throttle appearing stuck; another reports engine racing while cruise control was on. Electronic sensor replacement initially fixed the problem in one case, but the same issue recurred within a month of repair.
When: Occurred during active driving; one sensor replacement failed to prevent recurrence within one month
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration when braking near intersection; Throttle appears stuck; cannot stop by braking alone; Engine racing with cruise control activated; Uncontrolled acceleration at highway speed requiring hard braking and gear jam to park
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic sensor replaced in one case; sensor replacement only lasted one month before same symptom returned. Owner used hard brake and jammed gear into Park to stop vehicle.
Transmission fluid leak — dipstick not sealed
Transmission dipstick fails to seal properly at the filler tube, allowing transmission fluid to spill out during operation. Vehicle owner discovered improper seal during inspection.
When: 34,782 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid spilling through filler tube; Dipstick not seated properly
Transmission fluid leak — check transmission warning with fluid loss
Check transmission warning light illuminates repeatedly over weeks; transmission fluid found leaking underneath vehicle and on engine block. Mechanic reports transmission beginning to fail but cannot predict timing. Dealership identifies torque converter as source of leak.
When: Recurring over 2 months; one incident at 50,000 miles, current mileage 78,000
Symptoms owners cite: Check transmission warning light appearing multiple times over 2 months; Transmission fluid visible underneath vehicle after driving; Fluid pooling on engine block after second incident
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter identified as leak source by dealership; fluid loss from converter.
Transmission hesitation, shaking, and noise at mid-range speeds
Transmission exhibits hesitation, shaking, and rubbing noises specifically at 35–40 mph. Ford Service Department acknowledged possible road failure risk. Parts unavailable to repair at time of complaint (December 2013), leaving vehicle unsafe for extended use.
When: At 35–40 mph during normal driving; diagnosed at last service
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation in transmission engagement; Shaking sensation; Rubbing or grinding noises
Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available at time of complaint; Ford Service Department noted repair would be delayed many months. Owner reported vehicle is sole means of transportation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Service Department acknowledged possible road failure; parts unavailable as of complaint date.
Shift linkage difficulty — gearshift cable wear
Gearshift becomes stiff and difficult to move from Park into Drive or Reverse, though manual shifts (first to second gear) work. Dealer diagnoses gearshift cable needing replacement at low mileage.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gearshift difficult to move from Park to Drive; Gearshift difficult to move from Park to Reverse; Manual shifts (first to second) operate normally
Repairs/costs cited: Gearshift cable replacement required; failure at only 31,000 miles.
Check charging system warning — alternator failure
Check charging system warning light illuminates with audible chime. Initial dealer inspection could not identify cause and vehicle was not repaired. Later update notes alternator replaced and light remains off. Also separately replaced torque converter twice on same vehicle.
When: 50,000 miles (failure); 78,000 miles (current at update)
Symptoms owners cite: Check charging system warning light illuminated; Warning chime sounded
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced; warning light has not returned after replacement. Torque converter also replaced twice on this vehicle.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford taurus. The contact stated when he placed the vehicle into drive it would not move. The dealer had not been notified. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 65,000 and the failure mileage was 64,900. The VIN was unavailable.
Vehicle transmission has hesitation, shaking problem and rubbing noises at 35-40 MPH. Possible failure on the road was admitted by Ford service department. Vehicle was diagnosed with the problem at last service but couldn't be fixed because parts are not available. This is my sole means of transportation but I was told it may be many months before it can be fixed. Meanwhile it is a safety…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford taurus. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate. The independent mechanic stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,471.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Ford Taurus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 64,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2007/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.