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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-FORD-TAURUSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2013 Ford Taurus problems
The 2013 Ford Taurus has 587 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 9 active recall campaigns.
The 2013 Ford Taurus has 587 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 294 complaints, typically surfacing around 102,434 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Taurus?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Steering: 294 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,250–125,000 mi
Engine: 49 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 47,600–85,000 mi
Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average
9 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Ford Taurus 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Ford Taurus? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 294 owner reports
· tends to show around 102,434 mi · ~$700 to fix
engine — 49 owner reports
· tends to show around 67,852 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 36 owner reports
· tends to show around 73,588 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 35 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,589 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 102,434 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Taurus· steering
While leaving a parking lot, the electric power steering on my Ford taurus stopped working. I was not able to turn sharp enough to stay in the intended first lane of traffic and went deep into the second and almost third lane. Luckily the person in the center lane was able to…
While driving on highway over 60 MPH, on october 18, 2019 at approximately 19:30 california time, wrench symbol appeared, and I lost acceleration. There could have been a terrible accident, but I had difficult time to pull over. Diagnosis shown that throttle actuator a control…
Steering becomes difficult while driving the vehicle in cold weather. Vehicle was allowed to warm up for approximately 10 minutes before being driven on city streets as well as highway. All forms of turning the wheel (either turning onto a different street in the city or a lane…
Car spontaneously stopped running. The touch screen display went dark, the dash board lights turned off and the engine stopped while traveling a city street at 25 MPH. The car coasted to a stop and it took about a minute to restart it. *tr updated 2/11/16*js
Had a problem with your 2013 Ford Taurus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3
A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.2 out of 10 based on 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Ford Taurus has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Ford Taurus?
The 2013 Ford Taurus is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Steering: 294 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,250–125,000 mi; Engine: 49 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 47,600–85,000 mi; Reliability score 5.2/10 — around the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Ford Taurus?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 294 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,434 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Ford Taurus a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 587 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 102,434 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Ford Taurus?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 294 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,434 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 102,434 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 2013 Ford Taurus?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 587 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Taurus.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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