2006 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 318 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (48% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 318 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Intermittent accelerator sticking. After lifting foot from accelerator to prepare for braking/stopping the car continues to accelerate. Safety is at risk in traffic and intersections. There is online documentation related to previous NHTSA investigations. Ford and the local dealership has stated that there is not a defined recall. Although there may not be a "recall" this is certainly a safety problem!!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2024
“Throttle stuck and vehicle accelerated out of control. Had to brake hard and turn off engine to prevent crash. Speed Control Cable disconnected from cruise control. It has been repaired since the incident. Yes, was reproduced by the tow truck driver as well as at a service center. No warnings, only high engine revving noise as it happened, high RPMs and high speed noticeable on dashboard as my car's acceleration stuck. Case #FCAS37586176 reported to Ford company.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to slow down as needed while depressing the brake to make a left turn. The contact stopped the vehicle and shifted the gear shifter to park; however, while parked the RPM rose to 5,000 RPM. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 169,530.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Splines on Torque converter stripped out causing vehicle to just rev up and slow down to a stop. Car never moved again, had I been going up a large hill or something this could have been VERY VERY bad, because it wasn't until I was stopped that I realized it was the transmission having problems. After a bit of research and $500 in parts. I did the work myself. I find that the material inside of the torque converter is way softer than that on the input shaft causing the torque converter to strip out? How do they not have to fix that? This has been going on for over a decade! Why does someone have to die before they are responsible for something they know has a problem!”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2022
“The throttle sticks open and the engine revs high making it hard to slow down and stop. The cruise control cable is holding the throttle open because of a faulty attachment to the throttle control. This is a known and wide problem. People are bandaging the problem with back yard fixes that can cause accidents. Not first time.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2021
“Periodically the passenger side airbag off light comes on. Also, passenger side door ajar on dashboard on all the time which makes dome light stay on and drain battery.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2021
“In cold weather the door latches freeze and will not latch this is the second 2006 ford taurus I have owned that has done this. Has happened numerous times atleast 20”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2020
“Vehicle accelerates on its own without touching gas it increases to 40-60 mph high rpm in neutral or park while driving it increases speed on its own. Nearly rear ended another car at light today as I took foot off brake it jumped to 20 mph car has 68,000 miles well maintained”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
“While driving over 45mph the accelerator sticks. This has happened several times . It accelerated on its own while I was trying to park at work.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2018
“While I was driving the car the throttle cable got stuck with the cruise cable and the rpm raised to 5000 and doesn't come down. I switched the gears back to 1st and brought it to slow down. Luckily there were not much traffic otherwise this could have caused a very bad accident. I reported this issue to ford and they initially didn't take it serious. But after I put in writing to bob allen ford in overland park they mentioned that a service manager will call to discuss this issue further. I asked them if there are any recalls and they asked for the VIN number and they said there are none. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1u1fgabdw4”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'
Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 318 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.