Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,049 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Taurus, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 475 | 45% |
| Vehicle speed control | 81 | 8% |
| Air bags | 57 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 55 | 5% |
| Power train | 41 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 4% |
| Visibility | 25 | 2% |
| Tires | 23 | 2% |
| Structure | 22 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 t
NHTSA complaint: Power 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 T
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 D
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 WOR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 CONTACTE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 LIST
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Taurus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: THE ANCHOR MAY NOT HOLD THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND RE-INSTALL THE BRACKET NUT USING A TORQUE RETENTION MATERIAL (RED LOCTITE). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL
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
Risk: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS
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
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OWNER GUIDE INSERTS REVISED TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THEIR OWNER GUIDES. CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED THAT IF
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 85 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,049 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 475 of them (45%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.