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 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Taurus, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 51 | 22% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 42 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
| Power train | 7 | 3% |
| Back over prevention | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 6 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
This car has left me stranded multiple times. Took to dealership to find out the fuel pump that had been replaced at 90,000 was dead. Catalytic converter replaced at 125,000. Replaced fuel pump control module, fuel pump
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My rear-view (back-up) camera displays the image “reversed” when I put the vehicle in reverse, meaning the direction of what I see doesn’t match the direction the vehicle is actually moving. This is dangerous because it
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
Hello - the steering wheel has become very difficult to turn including inability to turn to the right or left at times, and seems to increase over time but has decreased while remaining stiff/difficult at times.I thought
NHTSA complaint: Steering
There is a recall on 2014 Ford Taurus’ but my VIN does not pop as one that is effective, yet I have all the symptoms. My fuel pump control module, and other various parts of my fuel pump keep failing. Completely lost pow
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Foot pedal parking brake stopped holding it's position. Pedal will move up and down, and parking brake light remains illuminated, but the system is not actually holding pressure on the parking brakes. Failure is caused b
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The backup camera will sometimes produce a grainy image or prompt a warning the camera isn't working. This issue has been noticed for other vehicles and issued a recall for the Ford Taurus but doesn't cover my vehicles y
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
When putting car in reverse backup, camera works intermittently.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The rearview camera system intermittently fails to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. At times, the screen remains black or frozen instead of showing the live rear view. The camera and wiring are
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2014 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causin
Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford custo
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri
Risk: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. F
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehi
Risk: If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not ap
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if
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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 85 | excellent |
| Performance | 76 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 51 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (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 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 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 69/100. 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.