2000 Ford Taurus recalls and problems

The 2000 Ford Taurus has 8 safety recalls and 1,195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
1,195
Crashes / fires
102 / 25
Injuries / deaths
81 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2000 Ford Taurus vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 Ford Taurus recalls

Recall 04V-332: Suspension

Reported Jul 15, 2004 · 899,060 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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 virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, the front coil springs could fracture due to corrosion associated with salt used on the roadways during the winter. A fractured spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.

Risk: If this occurs, the tire may rupture resulting in a rapid air loss, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install protective spring shields. In addition, ford is extending the warranty coverage of the front coil springs in all other states, for fracture only, up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until july 31, 2005. If either front coil spring fractures, dealers will replace both front springs at no charge to the owner. An interim notice was sent to owners on august 2, 2004. Parts are now available for the 2000-2001 my vehicles and owners were sent a letter on january 10, 2005, advising them to bring in their vehicles for repair parts are expected to be available for the 1999 my vehicles by the end of february 2005 and owners of these vehicles will be notified then. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 04V-106: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 2, 2004 · 938,789 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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 to a crash.

Risk: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.

Fix: Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 02V-266: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 2, 2002 · 369,614 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could result in a customer experiencing an "unintended vehicle speed increase" or a perceived "unable to stop" condition.

Fix: Owners will be instructed as to the proper way to set the position of the pedals and to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the spacing between the brake and accelerator pedals measured. If the spacing is found to be less than 50 mm, the dealer will adjust the pedals to increase the distance between them to greater than 50 mm. Owner notification began october 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 01V-258: Visibility

Reported Aug 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.

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 who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 01V-078: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 12, 2001 · 157,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: A short circuit could lead to either the brake lamps staying on, or to a loss of brake lamp function, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch and wipe down the adjustable pedal assembly to remove excess grease. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 01V-075: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 12, 2001 · 74,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. Due to the use of incorrect material by a supplier, the headlamp switch knob can fracture and separate from the headlamp switch.

Risk: This would cause difficulty for the driver to activate the headlamps, which could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the headlamp switch knob. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 01V-048: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 28, 2001 · 28,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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 january 1 thorough december 30, 2000. With the ignition switch in the start or run positions and the hazard warning lights operating, the chmsl can illuminate (At reduced intensity) even though the service brakes have not been applied. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." also, in some cases the vehicle brake-shift interlock would not function properly, allowing the shift lever to be moved from park without applying the brake.

Risk: Under the requirements of the standard, the chmsl shall be activated only upon appplication of the service brakes. Also, the vehicle could roll increasing the risk of a crash, if the shift lever can be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal.

Fix: Dealers will install a jumper/resistor assembly at the spoiler that provides an electrical resistor to ground and corrects the chmsl and brake-shift interlock conditions. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 00V-242: Equipment

Reported Aug 24, 2000 · 167,000 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The "vehicle capacity weight" and "designated seating capacity" information was not printed on the safety certification labels affixed to these vehicles. On affected sable sedan vehicles, the "vehicles capacity weight" (And also the luggage load) information printed on this label is incorrect - sable wagon luggage load was incorrectly used for the sable sedan. These vehicles do not comply with the label requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

Risk: Excessive loading can cause tire and vehicle damage that could result in a crash.

Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplemental label with the correct information, along with instructions for affixing the label adjacent to the vehicle certification label. Owner notification began october 20, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2000 Ford Taurus problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Suspension483
Engine and Engine Cooling110
Service Brakes, Hydraulic108
Power Train104
Exterior Lighting96
Vehicle Speed Control90
Air Bags90
Electrical System66
Fuel System, Gasoline62
Tires58
Visibility47
Seat Belts39

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs — 157
  • Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs — 145
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 59
  • Suspension › Rear — 51
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 40
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 38
  • Suspension › Front — 35
  • Suspension › Rear › Springs — 33

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2000 Ford Taurus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported May 6, 2024
Vehicle Has A Heavy Power Steering Fluid Leak!!! Will Be Taking It To The Shop To Diagnose The Concern!!! I Was Checking To See If There Were Any Campaigns Or Recalls Reported!!!
Air Bags · reported Nov 25, 2022
Someone pulled out in front of me as I was slowing down to make a left turn. I T-boned their vehicle while going 35mph, resulting in a total loss for my 2000 Ford Taurus. (This was in 2018 so it was not a new car). My driver steering wheel airbag DID NOT deploy. I was wearing my seat belt. I still have chest pains when I sneeze and cough, even 4 years later (in November 2022, at time of writing), and in the last year (2021) received a cortisone shot in my left shoulder. I was offered a neck brace in the ambulance and was prescribed an arm sling in the hospital. I was diagnosed with whiplash. I…
Service Brakes · at 120,000 miles · reported Apr 28, 2020
It presented a series of missed fired and over heating on the road , after driving around 150 miles , the engine leaking oil and it loss power make it on safe to drive . The air conditioning system is iced up like a fridge and less cooling in an over whole look the car need safety control and all of this can clearly seen on the city road way .
Electrical System · at 100,000 miles · reported Jul 22, 2019
The contact owns a 2000 ford taurus. The contact stated that the headlights failed to shut off, which required the battery cable to be disconnected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact felt that the vehicle was unsafe to drive in the event that the day time running lamps, high beams, and fog lights short out. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Air Bags · at 91,000 miles · reported Jun 18, 2019
June 2018 passenger side airbag deployed while being driven on a city street by my granddaughter, no there no signs of a collision. It was taken to a mechanic.

Other Ford Taurus years

Compare all Ford Taurus years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Ford Taurus have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2000 Ford Taurus: 04V-332 (suspension), 04V-106 (exterior lighting), 02V-266 (service brakes, hydraulic), 01V-258 (visibility), 01V-078 (exterior lighting) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Ford Taurus?

Owners report suspension problems most often (483 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (110). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.