2011 Ford Taurus recalls and problems

The 2011 Ford Taurus has 4 safety recalls and 188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
188
Crashes / fires
14 / 2
Injuries / deaths
15 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Ford Taurus vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Ford Taurus recalls

Recall 16V-247: Air Bags

Reported Apr 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Recall 15V-340: Steering

Reported Jun 2, 2015 · 393,623 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Recall 15V-040: Structure

Reported Jan 28, 2015 · 194,889 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Risk: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Recall 14V-285: Exterior Lighting

Reported May 29, 2014 · 183,425 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

2011 Ford Taurus problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System48
Engine40
Steering26
Power Train18
Unknown or Other15
Vehicle Speed Control15
Exterior Lighting14
Structure12
Service Brakes12
Engine and Engine Cooling9
Air Bags8
Seats6

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 8
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2
  • Power Train › Driveline — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,000 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 2011 Ford Taurus complaints

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

Steering · at 180,185 miles · reported Nov 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction, and an audible beeping alarm sound activated. The message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,185.
Seat Belts · reported Dec 15, 2025
I hit a dirt embankment the seatbelts did not lock and I ended up smashing my head off of my steering wheel and my passenger ended up smashing their head off of my dashboard.
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 26, 2025
The rear view backup camera visual is located in my rearview mirror it is just a blue screen whenever I put the car in reverse it just one day stopped working I've been waiting for it to be on the recall list and for some reason this year a 2011 is not on the recall list but it should be
Tires · reported Sep 26, 2025
Last June I noticed the car constantly shaking. Took it to Goodyear plaza tire in Alexandria mn and they said they didn't find anything wrong and it's normal to have tires feel like they are shaking while driving. The tires are 255/45R19 Then in July of 2025, I wanted a tire rotation and wheels balanced. The mechanic says they can't because the tread is almost gone and I'd have 5000 left before I could get new tires. About 2000 miles later I noticed the tread separating from the wires on 3 of the 4 tires. They have been kept properly inflated and rotated every 5000 to 6000 miles. Usually every…
Engine · reported Sep 22, 2025
Driving on access rd. Car stalled in middle of traffic. Glad I was not driving on highway. Lucky several drivers helped push car into a gas station. Saw water leak under car. There were no codes or indicators of over heating. Let car cool off. Noticed water in coolant reservoir. still was able to add 1 gal and half of water. Car turned on, drove it home which is about 3 miles. Water leak near the oil pan and block. After a long cooling period, noticed 3 hairline cracks on the bottom part of block. Cracked block Checked oil and noticed the oil was real thin and milky. Signs of water pump…

Other Ford Taurus years

Compare all Ford Taurus years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Ford Taurus have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Ford Taurus: 16V-247 (air bags), 15V-340 (steering), 15V-040 (structure), 14V-285 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Ford Taurus?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (48 reports), followed by engine (40). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,000 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.