FORD TAURUS · model year

2001 FORD TAURUS

1264 NHTSA complaints, 115 crash reports, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDTAURUS carries 1264 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 115 crashes, 18 fires, 110 injuries, and 6 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 TAURUS is suspension:rear:springs:coil springs with 217 filings, followed by suspension:rear (102) and vehicle speed control (79). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 6 investigation files overlapping the 2001 TAURUS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1264
Complaints
115
Crashes
18
Fires
110
Injuries
6
Deaths

Total Complaints

1264 filings

Crashes Reported

115 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS217
SUSPENSION:REAR102
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL79
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS73
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS68
SUSPENSION54
SUSPENSION:FRONT37
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL33
AIR BAGS28
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC27
TIRES24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17
POWER TRAIN15
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES14

Recalls (10)

00V39600028/11/2000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS OF SEATING POSITIONS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER

01V04800028/02/2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER SEDANS WITH FACTORY OR DEALER-INSTALLED DECK LID SPOILERS WITH LED CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMPS (CHMSL). VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH SPOILERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2000; AND VEHICLES WITH SPOILERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM

01V14400027/04/2001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TONGUE MAY NOT FULLY EJECT FROM THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PUSHED SLOWLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO RESULT IN A PARTIAL LATCH OF THE TONGUE IN THE BUCKLE.

00V24000024/08/2000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH (ISO-FIX ANCHOR) FASTENERS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESIDUAL TORQUE. THE ANCHORS ARE SECURED TO THE FLOOR PAN WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE THAT HAS TWO STUDS THAT EXTEND UPWARD THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN AND THE ISO-FIX ANCHOR. TH

04V33200015/07/2004

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRG

01V07800012/03/2001

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.

01V25800008/08/2001

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPL

02V26600002/10/2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

04V10600002/03/2004

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD T

16E02600001/04/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

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, Brake

Recent Complaints

20250415POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a slight hesitation upon shifting the transmission into drive. The contact stated that the gear selector seized, and the vehicle was no longer able to shift out of park. Additionally, the brake lights were no longer operable. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

20240403CrashENGINE

The vehicle failed recall

20240403CrashLANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

The vehicle failed recall

20240403CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The vehicle failed recall

20210124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20210124POWER TRAIN

SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20210124SUSPENSION

SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20201219VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STAY AT HIGH RPMS EVEN WHEN PRESSURE IS RELEASED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN 2018 WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR AND HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY IN DECEMBER 2020. IN THE FIRST EPISODE, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. IN THE SECOND, MY WIFE HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET IN BOTH INSTANCES GOING STRAIGHT

Mileage: 102,000

20200113SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER MOTHER WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE GEARS TO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER BELLINGHAM FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1820 JAMES ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225, (360) 392-7000, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A COMPLAINT (CAS-25346332). THE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS 143,553.

Mileage: 143,553

20191107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY HIGH BEAM LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. WHEN I PUSH THE SWITCH TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON THEY TURN ON BUT THE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNS OFF AND WHEN SWITCH MY HIGH BEAMS ON MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS KINDA WORKING, OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.

20191107VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY HIGH BEAM LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. WHEN I PUSH THE SWITCH TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON THEY TURN ON BUT THE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNS OFF AND WHEN SWITCH MY HIGH BEAMS ON MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS KINDA WORKING, OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.

20191107SUSPENSION

MY HIGH BEAM LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. WHEN I PUSH THE SWITCH TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON THEY TURN ON BUT THE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNS OFF AND WHEN SWITCH MY HIGH BEAMS ON MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS KINDA WORKING, OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.

20190617ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE BREAK LIGHT ARE STAYING ON DRAINING THE BATTERY, IVE REPLACED THE PAART WITH A PART FROM ADVANCE AUTO , BUT LIGHTS STAY ON , FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER.

20190326POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. JOHN BLEAKLEY FORD INC (870 THORTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

20190128EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK FORD (1330 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 635-7551), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20190116STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVERS DOOR NOT LATCHING. HAVE HAD TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY TO PURCHASE WD40 TO TRY AND GET MY DOOR SHUT. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY LIGHTS FLASHING. AND WHO PLUGS A PHONE INTO A CAR CHARGER FOR 2 HOURS AND IT DOESN'T CHARGE. IT NEVER USED TO DO THAT. DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT WHILE SITTING IN DRIVING AND WHEN DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. LIGHTS FLICKERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PHONE WOULDN'T CHARGE WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO DIG THE TWO RECEIPTS OUT FROM THE WD40 PURCHASE. IT IS GOING IN TODAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WANT TO LOOK AT MY DOOR WHICH WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $85 ON TOP OF THE OIL CHANGE.

Mileage: 144,500

20190116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVERS DOOR NOT LATCHING. HAVE HAD TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY TO PURCHASE WD40 TO TRY AND GET MY DOOR SHUT. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY LIGHTS FLASHING. AND WHO PLUGS A PHONE INTO A CAR CHARGER FOR 2 HOURS AND IT DOESN'T CHARGE. IT NEVER USED TO DO THAT. DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT WHILE SITTING IN DRIVING AND WHEN DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. LIGHTS FLICKERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PHONE WOULDN'T CHARGE WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO DIG THE TWO RECEIPTS OUT FROM THE WD40 PURCHASE. IT IS GOING IN TODAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WANT TO LOOK AT MY DOOR WHICH WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $85 ON TOP OF THE OIL CHANGE.

Mileage: 144,500

20180605SERVICE BRAKES

WAS INFORMED BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING, THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTATED COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK SO INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE SWITCH WHICH WORKED FOR LESS THEN AN HOUR. THINKING IT COULD BE A FUSE CHECKED THE MANUAL LIST OF FUSES AND COULD NOT FIND A LISTING FOR THE FUSE THAT WENT TO THE BRAKE SWITCH SO CHECKED FUSES ONE BY ONE TO SEE IF THEY WERE BAD ALL OKAY. SO I ASSUME THE NEW SWITCH WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER AND THEY ONE DID NOT WORK EITHER. I CAN NOW GET OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHICH IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. I WAS JUST TOLD THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE SOME YEAS BACK BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING MORE IS GOING ON HERE.

Mileage: 152,000

20170809FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING DOES NOT STAY IN IT'S SEAT WHERE IT IS MOUNTED BY THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING OVER ACCELERATION WHEN USING MODERATE ACCELERATION, VERY HARD BRAKING IS NECSESARY TO STOP AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL CAUSES MAJOR OVER REVING OF THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 206,600

20170809VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING DOES NOT STAY IN IT'S SEAT WHERE IT IS MOUNTED BY THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING OVER ACCELERATION WHEN USING MODERATE ACCELERATION, VERY HARD BRAKING IS NECSESARY TO STOP AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL CAUSES MAJOR OVER REVING OF THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 206,600

Compare 2001FORDTAURUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD TAURUS have?
The 2001 FORD TAURUS has 1264 NHTSA complaints, 115 crashes, 18 fires, 110 injuries, and 6 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FORD TAURUS?
Yes, the 2001 FORD TAURUS has 10 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD TAURUS?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD TAURUS is SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS with 217 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:REAR and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2001 FORD TAURUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.