Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle would shift hard when shifting gears. In addition, the vehicle would shake violently when engaging in gear and accelerating over 65 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however, they were unable to diagnose the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was responding to her specific driving…
2011 Ford Taurus powertrain problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 17 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Taurus powertrain cluster shows serious safety concerns: unintended acceleration crashes, transmission slipping and hard shifting that required one owner's 15 dealer visits, and a power transfer unit failing predictably around 80,000 miles with $1,700 replacement costs. Multiple dealers couldn't diagnose or replicate the issues, and some told owners failures were normal—skip this model.
Owners report a cluster of powertrain failures in 2011 Taurus models. Unintended acceleration is the most serious complaint—multiple owners describe the engine surging full-throttle without pedal input, with one incident crashing into a wall at $11,000 damage. Acceleration hesitation or lag from a stop and at highway speeds appears in several reports; dealers consistently claim this is normal computer delay. Transmission issues dominate: hard shifting, violent shaking over 65 mph, transmission slipping out of gear while driving or parked, and unexpected downshifts. One owner visited the dealer 15 times for the same slipping and harsh shifting problem. Shift-lever problems show up—one shifter popped out of its socket, requiring downward pressure to hold it in place. The push-button start can be accidentally touched while driving, killing the engine mid-highway and locking the transmission control. One vehicle shifted into reverse on its own after being parked and turned off, then rolled away. Power transfer unit (PTU) leaks plague AWD models around 80,000 miles; one owner reported fluid turned to black sludge and propane smell by 57,000 miles. A powertrain control unit replacement was needed at 104,000 miles. Dealers consistently report inability to replicate failures or determine causes, and in several cases tell owners the vehicle is operating normally.
Same Ford Taurus powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / engine surge
Engine accelerates to full throttle without driver input or with minimal brake-pedal movement. One incident caused full-speed crash into wall. Another incident showed RPM surge to 7,000 at a red light with foot off brake.
When: Various; one incident at parking lot, one at red light, one at highway merge around 69,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates full-speed without pedal input; RPM gauge shoots to 7,000 with light brake release; Strange rumbling from underneath; Engine races despite brake pressure holding vehicle stationary; Vehicle surges forward momentarily on intermittent basis
Repairs/costs cited: Cause never determined in multiple cases. Vehicle repaired after crash but underlying issue unresolved.
Acceleration hesitation / lag
Delayed throttle response from a stop or at highway speeds lasting 1–2 seconds or longer. Occurs intermittently. Dealers claim normal computer delay.
When: Intermittent; after 500 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration response for 1–2 seconds when stepping on gas; Lag during highway merge at rush hour; Hesitation from standstill or very low speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised lag from computer delay is normal; no repair attempted.
Transmission hard shifting and violent shaking
Transmission shifts harshly and vehicle shakes violently, especially over 65 mph. Hard shifts during normal gear changes. Multiple dealer visits for same issue.
When: Early mileage (19,000–24,700 miles); recurring across vehicle lifetime
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifts when changing gears; Violent shaking when engaging gear and accelerating over 65 mph; Transmission feels like it will unexpectedly downshift or change gear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose; one owner visited dealer 15 times for same slipping and harsh shifting issue. Manufacturer engineer inspected one failure but no resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford engineer sent to inspect failure; dealer blamed owner driving habits.
Transmission slipping out of gear
Transmission drops out of gear while driving or parked. Gear shifter itself pops out of socket, requiring downward pressure to keep in place.
When: Unknown mileage; one incident involved 500-mile mark
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips out of gear while driving; Transmission slips while stopped; Gear shifter removed from socket; Shifter must be held down to stay in proper position
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported cases; dealers unable to duplicate or determine cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10-21-2 exists but dealer was initially unaware of it; owner found it on message boards.
Transmission shudder and gear jump at mid-range speed
Transmission shudders and jumps into next gear at approximately 35 mph with noticeable shudder.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission jumps into next gear with shudder at ~35 mph
Power transfer unit (PTU) leak and fluid degradation
AWD models develop leaking PTU requiring replacement around 80,000 miles. Fluid degrades to black sludge and cannot be pumped out. Propane smell reported.
When: Around 80,000 miles or 57,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: PTU leaking badly; Fluid turned black sludge; Propane smell while driving; Sluggish acceleration; Fluid 'puking' from vent port; Unit failure causes vehicle lockup and towing
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost estimate $1,700 parts and labor. Fluid degradation noted as 'lifetime' fluid turning to sludge.
Inability to accelerate on incline with traction warning
Accelerator pedal depressed but vehicle does not accelerate. Traction warning indicator illuminates. Loud noise from front when shifted to reverse.
When: At 45,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal depressed but no acceleration; Traction warning indicator illuminated; Loud noise from front when shifting to reverse
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic unable to diagnose or repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware.
Push-button start accidentally triggered while driving
Push-button start can be accidentally touched while vehicle is in motion, shutting off engine. Vehicle cannot restart until shifted to park, foot on brake, and button repressed. Design flaw allows engine shutdown without transmission in park.
When: While driving at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Accidental button touch shuts off engine mid-drive; Dashboard says 'shift into park' but transmission not in park; Engine cannot restart until park is engaged; Creates safety hazard on highway
Transmission shift interlock failure / reverse engagement when parked
Vehicle can be turned off without transmission in park. Vehicle erroneously shifts into reverse after being turned off and exited, then rolls away. Interlock system fails to prevent ignition shutoff when not in park.
When: Early mileage (500–2,000 miles) and at 47,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Can turn off ignition when not in park; Vehicle shifts into reverse erroneously after shutdown; Vehicle rolls away after being parked and turned off
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer stated vehicle operating as designed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case but no action.
Powertrain control unit failure
Powertrain control unit fails, requiring replacement. Failure accompanied by abnormal odor.
When: At 104,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal odor from vehicle; Powertrain control unit malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: PCU replaced by independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure.
Backup camera activation at highway speed
Backup camera display comes on while driving forward at highway speeds, creating visual distraction and safety hazard.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Rear backup camera activates while driving forward at highway speed
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 10-21-2 addresses this issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 10-21-2 issued but dealer initially unaware; owner found it through message boards.
Unknown warning light illuminated
Unknown warning light appears on dashboard during shaking and hesitation issues.
When: After 500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unknown warning light illuminated on dashboard
Abnormal idling and shaking
Vehicle shakes abnormally while idling at stop signs or stop lights. Hesitation when attempting to accelerate from idle.
When: Intermittent; after 500 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shaking while idling at stop; Hesitation when accelerating from stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 18,000 and 82,500 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 82,500. 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/2011/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.