Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Ford Taurus
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Ford Taurus has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,036 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #16E026000 Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V332000 FORD/FRONT COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V106000 FORD/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V266000 FORD/BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL DISTANCE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V258000 FORD/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COVER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V144000 FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V078000 FORD/FOOT PEDAL GREASE/STOP LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V048000 FORD/FMVSS 108/STOP LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V396000 FORD/FMVSS 225/CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V240000 FORD/CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 514 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 99 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 85 complaints
- Air Bags 66 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 59 complaints
- Power Train 58 complaints
Of the 1,036 complaints on file, 92 report a crash and 15 a fire; across all 1,036 complaints, owners report 78 injuries and 5 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Ford Taurus faces numerous reliability issues, with significant recalls and owner complaints primarily in suspension and brake systems. Notably, high suspension failure reports affect its safety. These issues, coupled with additional electrical and engine problems, result in a below-average rating, impacting ownership costs and reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension | 50,000–80,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| brakes | 40,000–60,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| engine and cooling | 70,000–100,000 miles | $700–$1,800 | occasional |
| electrical system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $150–$500 | occasional |
| seat belts | 60,000–90,000 miles | $100–$300 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection and pads every 40,000 miles
- Transmission fluid check annually
- Cooling system service every 30,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Grinding noise from front wheels
- Inconsistent brake pedal feel
- Engine overheating
- Frequent electrical system failures
- Loose or rattling suspension
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Ford Taurus at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.