Ford Taurus problems
187 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–85,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the contact was unable to insert the fuel pump nozzle into the fuel tank filler neck. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected. Salerno duane Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (267…
The vehicle won't stop in a hurry no matter how hard the brake pedal is pushed. If I depress the brake pedal and then the accelerator, the brakes won't keep it from moving. Have replaced master cylinder and bleed brakes. Afraid to drive it. Not safe in town.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the brake pedal was difficult to be depressed. The contact had to apply force to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who…
I hit a dirt embankment the seatbelts did not lock and I ended up smashing my head off of my steering wheel and my passenger ended up smashing their head off of my dashboard.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Ford Taurus reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 187 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Ford Taurus is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Ford Taurus?
The 2011 Ford Taurus is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–85,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Ford Taurus?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 38 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,706 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 68,541 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 2011 Ford Taurus?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 187 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, 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.