FORD TAURUS · model year

2018 FORD TAURUS

52 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018FORDTAURUS carries 52 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 TAURUS is unknown or other with 8 filings, followed by power train (5) and electrical system (5). 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 4 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 2018 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.

52
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 FORD TAURUS - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 FORD TAURUS. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

52 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
POWER TRAIN5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
BACK OVER PREVENTION5
SUSPENSION4
STRUCTURE4
ENGINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
SUSPENSION:REAR2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA2
SEAT BELTS1
CHILD SEAT1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (4)

25V69500013/10/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image wh

25V61100012/09/2025

STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.

20V07200010/02/2020

SUSPENSION:REAR

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. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.

18V14100001/03/2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requir

Recent Complaints

20260213STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver's side B-pillar trim blew off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the local dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that 2 years prior to receiving the recall notification, the trim on the driver's and passenger side had blown off, and the trim pieces were replaced out of pocket. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20260126SUSPENSION

Rear toe links have a lot of slack resulting in rear drifting on uneven/slippery ground. This results in poor handling and fishtailing making it significantly harder to maintain control of the vehicle. Extreme caution required during slippery road conditions as the car will start to fishtail on it's own and requires constant corrective steering.

20251119BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blank or distorted image while reversing. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

20251118STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V611000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the silver paint on the driver side was peeling. The paint near the driver’s side mirror was peeling. Upon further investigation, the contact noticed that the passenger’s side had started peeling as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the exterior vent under the windshield wipers was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20251118BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V611000 (STRUCTURE) and 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, the silver paint on the driver side was peeling. The paint near the driver’s side mirror was peeling. Upon further investigation, the contact noticed that the passenger’s side had started peeling as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Most recently, the exterior vent under the windshield wipers was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20251107STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20251107BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 25V611000 (Structure); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20251105ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a significant puddle underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon checking the fluid reservoirs, the contact noticed that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant to the vehicle, but the coolant leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to Fast Lane, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced, and the contact was informed that the warranty coverage had expired. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and was taken back to the residence. The dealer was contacted and provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

20250922UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear view camera is not working properly. It blinks at times and then the view of the rear is upside down. This happens when I put the car in reverse.

20250917STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts might not be available for several months. The contact stated that with the unrepaired recall, the vehicle could not be registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The manufacturer was contacted, but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20250915UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear back up camera when in reverse my screen will blink black then be normal. It will sometimes go blue or just stay black or camera not available it sometimes have half screen. It has not been inspected nor any faulty lights warnings besides one or 2 times of camera unavailable. I know there are some recalls on other vehicles with this issue but the Taurus SHO.

20250914UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear camera just went inverted and rear assist lines are not displayed. Dealer has not been contacted. This is a safety hazard while backing up. I have had no other issues.

20250914ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear camera just went inverted and rear assist lines are not displayed. Dealer has not been contacted. This is a safety hazard while backing up. I have had no other issues.

20250909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The backup camera on this 2018 Ford Taurus is faulty. It works intermittently with an image only occasionally being displayed, and often disappearing while backing up. The dealership said it has received many similar complaints for this vehicle.

20250909UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The backup camera on this 2018 Ford Taurus is faulty. It works intermittently with an image only occasionally being displayed, and often disappearing while backing up. The dealership said it has received many similar complaints for this vehicle.

20250826BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera malfunctioned, causing a rear visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. During the failure, there was a solid blue or black screen displayed, without an image displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20250810UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.

20250810VISIBILITY/WIPER

When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.

20250810ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.

20250624ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the message "Engine Overheated" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

Compare 2018FORDTAURUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 FORD TAURUS have?
The 2018 FORD TAURUS has 52 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 FORD TAURUS?
The 2018 FORD TAURUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 FORD TAURUS?
Yes, the 2018 FORD TAURUS has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 FORD TAURUS?
The most-complained component for the 2018 FORD TAURUS is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2018 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. The 2018 FORD TAURUS has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. 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.