2010 Ford taurus sho- when brakes are applied grinding noise is heard. Happened after about 1000 mi., dealer replaced pads..most prevalent when weather is colder. Was good for awhile but started again after 9000 mi.! Brought back to dealer, says he will change rotors and pads this time. Hope this does it, I'm getting tired of trips to the dealer! *tr
2010 Ford Taurus brakes problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 27 brakes complaints filed for the 2010 Ford Taurus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 10 model years of Ford Taurus we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 27.
Owners have filed 27 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2010 Ford Taurus has documented brake system problems serious enough to cause crashes. The most critical issues are brake pedal loss and ABS failure that leave you unable to stop the vehicle; additional common complaints include grinding noise and rear caliper locking. Ford issued a technical bulletin (TSB 10-7-2) for rear brake problems, but coverage and repairs have been inconsistent, and parts shortages have delayed fixes.
The 2010 Ford Taurus has a pattern of brake failures that span the entire hydraulic and ABS system. The most dangerous complaint is the brake pedal sinking to the floor—owners report depressing the pedal with little or no braking response at highway and city speeds. Two complaints document crashes and one rollover directly linked to this failure; owners describe being unable to stop the vehicle even with maximum pedal pressure. The cause varies across cases: master cylinder fracture, ABS module defect, and hydraulic control module failure all appear in the complaint narratives.
Grinding or squealing noise is the most common complaint, often starting early (800–10,000 miles) and worsening in wet conditions. Dealers have replaced pads and rotors multiple times on the same vehicles—sometimes 2 or 3 times—without permanently fixing it. Rear brake calipers lock up and drag, generating extreme heat; one owner documented a rotor glowing red-hot, visible from across the driveway at night.
ABS surging is documented in two crash incidents where the ABS system engaged but the vehicle did not stop. Parts shortages are endemic; multiple owners report calipers, master cylinders, and ABS modules on backorder. Ford issued TSB 10-7-2 for rear brake problems on 2010 Taurus models, but warranty denial and applicability disputes are common.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal travels to floorboard
Brake pedal sinks to the floor with little or no braking action, or requires full depression to stop the vehicle. Multiple owners report this occurred without warning during normal driving at various speeds (10-30 mph). One incident involved a crash when brakes were completely unresponsive; another resulted in a rollover when the vehicle accelerated out of control and brakes would not engage.
When: Starting around 20,000 miles through 71,000 miles; some reports as early as 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal travels to floorboard when depressed; Little or no braking response; Delayed braking engagement; Loss of braking pressure; Vehicle continues forward despite brake application
Codes mentioned: ABS module failure, Master cylinder fracture, Hydraulic control module fault, Brake pedal spring fracture
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement did not always resolve the issue. Hydraulic control module replacement attempted. ABS module replacement required in some cases but parts on backorder. One case required both master cylinder and ABS module replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Care acknowledged some issues after days of arguing; manufacturer notified in some cases but declined to cover repairs beyond warranty. TSB 10-7-2 issued for rear brake drag/noise for 2010 Ford Taurus built on or before 12/14/2009.
Grinding/squealing noise during braking
Loud grinding, squealing, or squeaking noise occurs when braking, particularly audible during moderate stops. Noise often worse in humid or wet conditions. Occurs in both front and rear brakes. Some owners report the noise is so distracting it causes them to release brake pressure, compromising braking safety. Noise persists after pad and rotor replacement in multiple cases.
When: As early as 800-1,000 miles; reported up to 20,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or squealing during braking; Grinding noise worse in wet/humid weather; Noise distracts driver, causes premature brake release; Noise persists after service and component replacement; Grinding heard on turns, especially left turns
Codes mentioned: Caliper pin issue, Brake pad wear indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced pads and rotors multiple times (sometimes 2-3 times per vehicle) without permanently resolving noise. Some replaced caliper pins and support brackets. Noise returned within weeks to months of repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10-7-2 addresses rear brake drag/noise. Dealers in multiple cases acknowledge pattern of complaints but cannot diagnose root cause. One dealer confirmed TSB exists for the issue but noise recurred even after repair.
Rear brake caliper locking/dragging
Rear brake calipers lock up or drag, causing extreme heat buildup, grinding, and eventual destruction of pads and rotors. One owner reported rear rotor glowing red-hot, radiating heat so intense it was visible from 5 feet away and illuminated the driveway at night. High-pitched noise and momentary brake lock-on during stopping. Pads and rotors destroyed prematurely, requiring complete caliper, pad, and rotor replacement.
When: As early as initial complaint in 2011; heat damage evident within a few miles of intermittent locking
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched noise when braking; Brake locks momentarily during stop; Extreme heat from rear rotor; Grinding noise during braking; Rotor glows red-hot
Codes mentioned: Stuck/locked caliper
Repairs/costs cited: Complete caliper replacement along with pads and rotors required. One owner reported $560 cost for rear brake repair after warranty expired. TSB 10-7-2 specifically covers rear brake caliper repair for this model.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10-7-2 issued by Ford for rear brake drag/noise on 2010 Ford Taurus built on or before 12/14/2009. Ford declined warranty coverage in at least one case, citing vehicle build location or applicability issues despite TSB existence.
ABS system failure and brake surging
ABS module malfunctions causing brake pedal issues and brake surging or pulsing during emergency stops. In two documented cases, ABS surges prevented vehicle from stopping, resulting in rear-end collisions. ABS makes loud noise during surge but fails to stop vehicle. Loss of brake pressure during highway driving also reported.
When: Reported at various mileages including early ownership (10,000+ miles); specific surge incidents occurred at speeds under 30 mph and at highway speed (~80 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages but vehicle does not stop; Brake surge/pulsing during emergency braking; Loud ABS noise without effective braking; Loss of power/braking on highway; ABS light on, traction control light on
Codes mentioned: ABS module defect, Hydraulic control module failure
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement required but frequently on backorder from Ford and parts suppliers. Hydraulic control module replacement also needed in some cases. Parts shortage prevents timely repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford acknowledged the issue through customer service in some cases. Parts backordering suggests potential widespread issue, though manufacturer has not issued a recall.
Front brake pad seating/wear failure
Both front brake pads fail to seat properly against rotors. Only the inner half-inch of the outer pad contacts the rotor instead of the full pad width. Problem reappears identically on replacement pads and rotors, indicating a design or caliper issue rather than component defect. Results in uneven pad wear, unusual noise, and compromised braking distance.
When: Reported at lower mileage, exact timing not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Uneven pad wear (only inner portion contacts rotor); Occurs on both left and right front brakes; Unusual noise during braking; Compromised braking distance; Problem persists after pad and rotor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Pads and rotors replaced but problem reoccurred with new parts, suggesting caliper issue not addressed.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford taurus. On several occasions, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. As a result, the contact's foot came in contact with the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal became depressed while the brakes were also being applied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that…
Had brakes trouble with your 2010 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 brakes problem on the 2010 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,098 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 22,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,098; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2010/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.