2013 Ford Taurus suspension problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Of the 9 model years of Ford Taurus we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Taurus has serious suspension failures, especially rear toe links that crack and break suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes causing loss of control. Many owners report unexplained vibration issues that dealers cannot fix, and a recall exists but parts remain unavailable—check VIN eligibility and current parts status before buying.
Owners describe a pattern of rear suspension failures that are both dangerous and difficult to diagnose. The most common complaint is cracking and sudden failure of the rear toe link (also called lateral link or lateral arm), occurring between 100,000 and 130,000 miles. Multiple owners experienced complete loss of vehicle control—fishtailing and veering into medians—when these parts broke at highway speeds. One owner had both the left and right rear lateral arms fail within a month, culminating in a crash. A dealer technician confirmed a broken rear toe link, and another independent shop diagnosed a detached lateral link, both requiring replacement.
A separate group of owners report severe, unrelenting vibration at all speeds that persists across multiple tire-and-wheel sets and dealer service visits. Ford's own engineer tested six tire-and-wheel combinations and even compared the owner's vehicle to a fresh unit from another dealership; that comparison vehicle exhibited identical vibration. The engineer recommended Ford buyback, but the manufacturer declined.
Additional suspension failures include rear tie rod separation at the ball-and-socket joint (causing temporary loss of control), loose upper control arms, a leaking rear shock, and one instance of axle fracture resulting in wheel separation. Accelerated and uneven tire wear appears linked to the underlying suspension issues, requiring multiple tire replacements. A recall (NHTSA Campaign 20V072000, issued February 2020) addresses fractured rear toe links but excludes non-SHO variants, and recall parts have remained unavailable at dealerships.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear toe link / lateral link cracking and fracture
Driver-side and passenger-side rear toe links crack internally and fail suddenly, leading to loss of vehicle control. Owners report visual cracking during inspection and catastrophic failure at highway speeds, with some experiencing multiple failures on the same vehicle.
When: Between 100,000 and 130,000 miles; one instance at 127,497 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal vibration from rear end felt in seat and steering wheel; Rear end trailing during normal driving; Loss of control and fishtailing at 45–60 mph; Vehicle veering into median after failure; Rear end lowering when brake pedal is depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of broken toe link or lateral arm required. One owner had both left and right rear lateral arms fail within one month, requiring repairs and resulting in a crash with property damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V072000 issued 2020-02-11 (Ford Recall 20S04) covers some models but explicitly excludes non-SHO Taurus variants. Ford advised contact to file with NHTSA. Recall parts reportedly unavailable as of complaint dates.
Pervasive vibration at all speeds
Severe, undiagnosed vibration affects multiple 2013 Taurus SEL units and persists across six tire-and-wheel sets, four visits by Ford engineer, and three-week dealer inspection. Ford engineer's comparison vehicle exhibited the same issue, but manufacturer declined buyback despite engineer recommendation.
When: Early operation; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal vibration at all speeds, daily occurrence; Vibration felt throughout vehicle; Dealership unable to resolve despite multiple service attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Six complete tire-and-wheel sets replaced without resolving vibration. No permanent repair identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford engineer recommended buyback after testing; Ford refused. No other manufacturer action documented.
Rear suspension lateral link detachment
Rear suspension lateral link detaches from the vehicle during operation, causing abnormal vibration and handling issues.
When: Approximately 127,497 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal vibration from rear end; Vibration felt in seat and steering wheel; Rear end lowering when brake pedal depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Rear suspension lateral link replaced by independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford stated vehicle not covered under NHTSA Campaign 20V072000 because it was not a Taurus-SHO model.
Rear tie rod separation and upper control arm looseness
Driver-side rear tie rod separates at the ball-and-socket joint; passenger-side rear upper control arm found loose on same vehicle.
When: Before 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temporary loss of control and fishtailing at moderate speed; Near-crash condition
Repairs/costs cited: Rear tie rod replacement required. Passenger-side rear shock also found leaking during inspection.
Axle fracture leading to wheel separation
Rear axle broke off the vehicle, causing a wheel to separate and the vehicle to swerve.
When: During rental use
Symptoms owners cite: Wheel fell off vehicle; Vehicle swerved uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Broken axle piece documented with photos.
Accelerated and uneven tire wear
Tires wear rapidly and unevenly despite new alignment, eating through the inside tire wall prematurely. Multiple tire replacements required in short intervals.
When: New tires installed August; abnormal wear detected shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerated tire wear on inside wall; Abnormal tire wear pattern despite alignment correction; Poor vehicle handling
Repairs/costs cited: New tires installed twice within a short period due to premature wear.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2013 Ford Taurus?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 54,078 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,078; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.