While driving at speeds below 40 MPH, my transmission would shutter, today my vehicle was going through a intersection when I tried to use the gas through the intersection the vehicle would not move or speed up, I then shifted to manual mode to cross the intersection. Indicator light on the speedometer stated cross traffic system failure. *kb
2010 Ford Taurus powertrain problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 31 powertrain 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
Owners have filed 31 powertrain 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.
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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2010 Taurus has serious, chronic transmission problems—unpredictable loss of power/neutral shifting, harsh re-engagement, and in some cases unintended acceleration—that Ford cannot reliably fix despite multiple repair attempts. Multiple owners report dealer inability to reproduce issues or lack of permanent solutions, making this a significant safety risk even at low mileage.
Owners of 2010 Taurus models describe a constellation of transmission failures that recur despite repair attempts. The most common complaint is the transmission unexpectedly slipping into neutral during normal driving—at stop signs, highway speeds, and intersections—followed by a harsh slam back into gear after a few seconds. Some owners also report the rear-view camera activating unprompted, suggesting the car is attempting to shift into reverse while in drive. This neutral slip happens without warning lights and happens repeatedly, even after dealer service.
A second major issue is unintended acceleration from a complete stop. Several owners report the vehicle surging forward at full throttle while parked or leaving parking lots, with brakes unable to stop it. One crash involved the vehicle striking a home.
Additional reported failures include the vehicle rolling forward when parked despite being in park, harsh downshifts at highway speed that scrape the front bumper, and transmission slipping on acceleration with RPM surge. Some AWD models (SHO) have PTU oil overfill causing burning oil fumes to enter the cabin. One owner's water pump failed catastrophically.
Dealers and Ford have consistently stated they cannot reproduce these issues and refuse further repairs without owner-funded diagnostics. TSB #11-9-11 exists for some complaints but provides only partial fixes. Owners express frustration that Ford denies knowledge of widespread problems despite finding multiple online reports of identical symptoms.
Same Ford Taurus powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loses power and slips into neutral unpredictably
During normal driving at various speeds (stop-and-go, highway, intersections), the transmission intermittently disengages into neutral without warning, causing loss of power and hesitation. The vehicle then harshly re-engages back into gear after a few seconds. Owners report this happens on dry pavement with no warning lights or obvious trigger. In some cases, the vehicle attempts to shift into reverse (rear-view camera activates) while still in drive. Multiple owners report this as a chronic, recurring issue even after repair attempts.
When: Various speeds from stop to highway; intermittent occurrence over months or years of ownership; some reports at low mileage (5K–15K miles), others at higher mileage (100K+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power and transmission slipping into neutral unexpectedly; Harsh re-engagement into gear after a few seconds; Rear-view camera activating unprompted (attempt to shift into reverse); Car hesitates and feels like it will stall; RPM fluctuations and erratic behavior; Clunking sounds from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: TSB #11-9-11 performed on some vehicles with partial improvement only. Ford has replaced transmission sensors, throttle body, and other components on multiple attempts without permanent fix. One owner reported Pundman Ford (St. Charles, MO) replaced two transmission sensors with success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #11-9-11 available but effectiveness limited. Ford initially states they are not seeing similar issues, then claims inability to reproduce problem and refuses further repairs without owner-funded diagnostic attempts. No recall issued despite numerous complaints.
Unintended acceleration from complete stop
Vehicle accelerates on its own from a standstill without driver input, reaching high speeds despite driver applying full brake pressure. Owners report the car surges forward unexpectedly after parking, leaving intersections, or reversing out of parking spaces. In one case, the vehicle became airborne and struck a home. In another, the car accelerated into another vehicle at a parking lot exit. Multiple owners describe the brakes as ineffective at stopping the uncontrolled acceleration.
When: At complete stop (parking lots, after reversing, at stop signs); one report at 1,500 miles, others at higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, uncontrolled acceleration from standstill; Vehicle reaches high speed despite full brake application; No warning lights or obvious trigger; Engine sounds normal during event; Vehicle cannot be stopped by brakes
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs documented in narratives. Dealers unable to reproduce problem or diagnose root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned for this failure mode. Manufacturer not always contacted.
Vehicle rolls forward when parked or park gear fails to engage
Vehicle rolls forward unexpectedly when shifted into park, even with the engine off or the shift lever in the park position. Occurs on multiple separate occasions. Vehicle has struck parked cars and a house. In one case, the vehicle rolled forward at very low mileage (1,500 miles) immediately after being turned off with gear in drive.
When: Immediately after parking or shifting to park; one report at 1,500 miles; multiple incidents on separate occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls forward without driver input; Park gear fails to hold vehicle stationary; No warning lights reported; Vehicle strikes parked cars or structures
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or manufacturer response documented.
Harsh downshift at highway speed and hard shift engagement
Transmission downshifts abruptly at highway speeds (50+ mph), locking into a lower gear (sometimes first gear) and causing the front end to contact the ground or the vehicle to lose power. One owner reported a forced downshift at 85 mph that lifted the rear end off the ground. Manual shift attempts also result in harsh, loud engagement ('thump' or lunge). Some owners report hesitation and jerking on downshifts through all gears.
When: Highway speeds (40–85 mph); manual shift mode from first to second gear; downshifts during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt downshift to lower gear (sometimes first gear); Front end scrapes ground or rear end lifts off ground; Loud 'thump' or 'clunk' from transmission; Vehicle lurches during shift engagement; Loss of power during downshift; Hesitation and jerking on all downshifts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found no problems on several attempts. No successful repairs documented.
Transmission slips and RPM surge on acceleration
When accelerating from a stop or at various speeds, transmission slips (RPMs increase without corresponding vehicle acceleration), then suddenly engages with a lunge or clunk. Vehicle loses power momentarily, then regains it. Some owners describe this as the transmission being in too high a gear or the clutch slipping (on manual mode). Issue occurs multiple times and repeats even after repairs.
When: Upon acceleration from stop sign or slow speed; various speeds; some reports at low mileage (under 47K miles)
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surge without acceleration; Transmission slipping feeling; Lunge or clunk when transmission engages; Loss of power followed by power surge; Clunking sounds from transmission; Car feels like it is in too high a gear
Repairs/costs cited: Extended warranty covered repairs on at least one vehicle. Dealer service has been unable to permanently resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner found Service Bulletin (TSB) referenced in complaint but no recall issued. Owner expresses frustration that issue is known but not recalled.
Transmission intermediate clutch piston failure
Abnormal sound from vehicle and shaking while driving, diagnosed as transmission intermediate clutch piston requiring replacement. Occurs at moderate mileage (167,254 miles).
When: At approximately 167,254 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from vehicle; Vehicle shaking while driving; No warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as intermediate clutch piston needing replacement; repair not completed per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer Communications Number 10B14 referenced but vehicle not repaired.
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) oil overfill and inhalation hazard on AWD models
On 2010 Taurus SHO AWD models, the PTU oil overfills and leaks out of the vent cap, dripping onto the exhaust manifold where it burns. The burning oil fumes are then sucked into the cabin via the HVAC system. One owner reported the replacement PTU exhibited the same issue. Ford claims the PTU has lifetime oil and only needs replacement if contaminated, but owners are reporting they change the oil every 25K–35K miles to prevent the problem.
When: Ongoing issue across ownership; one vehicle with 100,000 miles had PTU replaced under warranty and replacement unit failed similarly
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaks from PTU vent cap; Oil drips onto exhaust and burns; Burning oil smell in cabin; Fumes must be prevented by using HVAC recirculate mode; Inhalation hazard from burning oil fumes
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports changing PTU oil every 25K–35K miles instead of Ford's 'lifetime' interval. One replacement PTU under warranty failed with same issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford states PTU has lifetime oil, only needs replacement if contaminated. No TSB or recall mentioned.
Water pump failure causing engine damage and loss of power
Water pump failed, releasing coolant into the engine and causing permanent engine damage. Vehicle would not accelerate and had to be towed. Requires engine replacement.
When: During acceleration at traffic light
Symptoms owners cite: All dash lights came on; Engine sounded choked; Vehicle would not accelerate uphill; Loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required.
Computer/electrical failure preventing shifter operation and flickering lights
Vehicle computer failed, causing interior lights, headlights, turn signals, and instrument panel lights to flicker on and off. Gear shifter could not be shifted out of park during light failure. Dealer diagnostic located failure at vehicle computer.
When: At 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Flickering interior lights, headlights, turn signals, instrument panel lights; Inability to shift out of park; Computer failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle repaired by dealer; specific repair details not stated.
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated on its own at high speed without any warning, causing the vehicle to airborne and struck his neighbor's home. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The contact's wife had severe injuries and sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed but the…
When using the manual shift mode accelerating from a stop sign, the transmission would not shift from first to second gear. I tried several times to shift the car manually without success. After the last attempt there was an incredibly loud 'thump' from the transmission. Loud enough I thought the transmission fell out of the car. I shifted to neutral, paused (while coasting), put the car into…
On 4 occasions over a 2 month period my taurus failed to accelerate immediately due to what had appeared to be the traction control powering down the motor, minus any flashing lights etc. I would pull up to a stop sign, and attempt to accelerate and I would lose all power for approx 2 seconds and then my car would slam into gear and take off (always on dry clean pavement). I at first dismissed…
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle started shaking. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission…
My 2010 has had several drive train issues. The trans has been fixed a few times which took many returns to the dealer before finding the issue. After that at times the car accelerates on it's own from a stop. It's done about 7-9 times. I took it to the dealer where I bought car and they can not duplicate the problem. 3-4 times it took me in to an interchange luckily no one was coming until…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2010 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 8,000 and 71,200 miles, with the median around 29,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 71,200. 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 $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/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.