NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Ford Taurus Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Ford Taurus has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 375 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Ford Taurus, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Ford Taurus owner complaints

Owners have filed 375 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Taurus, describing incidents dated February 10, 2004 to March 13, 2026.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 164 complaints
Power Train 72 complaints
Engine 44 complaints
Electrical System 26 complaints
Service Brakes 26 complaints
Air Bags 21 complaints

Of the 375 complaints on file, 36 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 375 complaints, owners report 25 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11724033 · Filed March 13, 2026
Airbags seats and seatbelts useless for 6'8" 375lbs adult man. I sit within 6" of the steering wheel airbag the seatbelt goes across my bicep not my shoulder and the seat itself only goes up to the middle of my back, the head rest is between my shoulders. Why is there no exemption for giants and…
ODI #11602400 · Filed July 15, 2024
On June 23, 2024 this 2004 Ford Taurus was in a front end collision at freeway speeds of 60 mph or higher. The driver airbag did not deploy and the driver died as a result of severe trauma to head and chest.
ODI #11377836 · Filed December 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD GOING 50 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE HIGH. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE OUT BUT I KNOW THEY WERE FINE. I KEPT SPEEDING UP SO I HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUSHED BRAKE PUT IT IN NEITRAL BUT THE RPMS SEEMED…

Read all 375 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Ford Taurus mileage at failure

311 of the 375 complaints on file for the 2004 Ford Taurus give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 100,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–140,000 miles	Based on 149 complaints
Power Train	Median 105,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–130,000 miles	Based on 61 complaints
Engine	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–120,000 miles	Based on 36 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Ford Taurus in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE12-005: Stuck throttle
Closed October 22, 2012
Defect Petition DP06-005: ENGINE STALLING FFV
Closed December 28, 2007

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc

NHTSA #16E026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Pads · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2016 · Robert Bosch LLC

Potentially affected: 49,635 vehicles

Repair completion: 5.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 26, 2016

Defect description

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Safety consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FORD/POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT

NHTSA #04V330000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Power Adjust · NHTSA notice

Reported July 8, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 24,277 vehicles

Ford campaign 04S18 · Owners notified July 20, 2004 · Vehicles built November 17, 2003 – January 15, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

Safety consequence

THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Ford Taurus 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

2004 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

2004 Ford Taurus 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

375 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Taurus.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11724033

Incident: March 13, 2026 · Filed: March 13, 2026

Airbags seats and seatbelts useless for 6'8" 375lbs adult man. I sit within 6" of the steering wheel airbag the seatbelt goes across my bicep not my shoulder and the seat itself only goes up to the middle of my back, the head rest is between my shoulders. Why is there no exemption for giants and airbags and seatbelts? By having these "safety features" in my vehicle, my life is put in more danger than other people that are normal sized. If I ever get into an accident and the airbags or seatbelt injure me I will be suing you for forcing me to use these dangerous for me things. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL WHEN YOU ARE A GIANT, and your regulations make being in a car more deadly to me.

Air Bags

ODI #11602400

Crash 1 death

Incident: June 23, 2024 · Filed: July 15, 2024

On June 23, 2024 this 2004 Ford Taurus was in a front end collision at freeway speeds of 60 mph or higher. The driver airbag did not deploy and the driver died as a result of severe trauma to head and chest.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #11377836

Incident: November 8, 2020 · Filed: December 3, 2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD GOING 50 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE HIGH. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE OUT BUT I KNOW THEY WERE FINE. I KEPT SPEEDING UP SO I HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUSHED BRAKE PUT IT IN NEITRAL BUT THE RPMS SEEMED TO GO HIGHER. I QUICKLY JUST PUT IT IN PARK WHILE STILL MOVING N RPMS HIGH. CSAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND JERKED TO A STOP GAVE ME WHIP LASH THERE WAS NO CASRS ON THE ROAD I WAS IN THE COUNTRY. BUT AS I STOPPED I JUST PARKED TRYIUNG TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO . WAS VERY SHAKEN UP SO I HAD TO PARK FOR AWHILE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF PARKING AND CALLING EVERYONE ABOUT MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE 10 MPH HOIME. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A SELF EMPLOYED MECHANIC I KNOW.

Power Train; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11362300

Incident: January 1, 2020 · Filed: October 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11343914

Incident: August 4, 2020 · Filed: August 7, 2020

AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING CAR IN STREET CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY DRIVE UP TO 50 MPH ON ITS OWN WITH YOUR FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. AND WHEN YOU USE BRAKES TO STOP U CAN FEEL THE CAR STILL STRAINING TO ACCELERATE AND GO .

Power Train

ODI #11299088

Incident: January 13, 2020 · Filed: January 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE GEAR SHIFTER LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER (DEACON JONES FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT 3301 MCLAIN STREET, GOLDSBORO, NC 27534 PHONE NUMBER 800-921-7994) WHO CONFIRMED THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THEIR VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Suspension; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11291126

Crash 3 injuries

Incident: October 3, 2019 · Filed: December 24, 2019

THE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS MESSED UP, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL FRONT TIRES DUE TO UNBALANCING ISSUES AND POPPING NOISES WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND ON EVEN ROADS THAT HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD A BAD HEAD ON WRECK AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M CONCERNED THEY WILL DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT.

Service Brakes

ODI #11252330

Incident: August 29, 2019 · Filed: August 29, 2019

REPORTED EARLIER TODAY UNDER CONFIRMATION #11252283 ABOUT TRYING TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE SO CAR CAN BE DRIVEN. NOW GEARSHIFT STILL NOT WORKING AND REMAINING IN PARK BUT ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS REFUSE TO SHUT OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED SO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULDN'T DRAIN THE BATTERY DEAD. NOW THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THERE'S A RECALL ON THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT SWITCH ON THIS 2004 FORD TAURUS.

Steering

ODI #11252283

Incident: August 23, 2019 · Filed: August 29, 2019

GEARSHIFT STAYS IN "PARK". ONCE YOU PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PARK VEHICLE, PUT GEARSHIFT IN PARK, TURN OFF IGNITION. . .NEXT TIME YOU START YOUR ENGINE THE GEARSHIFT STAYS IN PARK. V

Engine

ODI #11229447

Incident: July 2, 2019 · Filed: July 4, 2019

I HAVE ENGINE CODE P0430, I CHANGE ALL CONVERTERS, ALL 02 SENSORS STILL KEEP GETTING SAME CODE. MY GUESS IS UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I CAN US A LITTLE HELP GETTING THE PART. THANK YOU

Other Ford Taurus model years

Check your 2004 Ford Taurus VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Taurus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN