Ford · Taurus · 2004
2
Recalls
375
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Ford Taurus has 2 recalls and 375 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: vehicle speed control (120 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 Status
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 EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Airbags seats and seatbelts useless for 6'8" 375lbs adult man. I sit within 6" of the steering wheel airbag the seatbelt goes across my bicep not my shoulder and the seat itself only goes up to the middle of my back, the head rest is between my shoulders. Why is there no exemption for giants and airbags and seatbelts? By having these "safety features" in my vehicle, my life is put in more danger than other people that are normal sized. If I ever get into an accident and the airbags or seatbelt injure me I will be suing you for forcing me to use these dangerous for me things. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL WHEN YOU ARE A GIANT, and your regulations make being in a car more deadly to me.
On June 23, 2024 this 2004 Ford Taurus was in a front end collision at freeway speeds of 60 mph or higher. The driver airbag did not deploy and the driver died as a result of severe trauma to head and chest.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD GOING 50 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WERE HIGH. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT WAS AS IF MY BRAKES WERE OUT BUT I KNOW THEY WERE FINE. I KEPT SPEEDING UP SO I HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUSHED BRAKE PUT IT IN NEITRAL BUT THE RPMS SEEMED TO GO HIGHER. I QUICKLY JUST PUT IT IN PARK WHILE STILL MOVING N RPMS HIGH. CSAR MADE A LOUD SOUND AND JERKED TO A STOP GAVE ME WHIP LASH THERE WAS NO CASRS ON THE ROAD I WAS IN THE COUNTRY. BUT AS I STOPPED I JUST PARKED TRYIUNG TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO . WAS VERY SHAKEN UP SO I HAD TO PARK FOR AWHILE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF PARKING AND CALLING EVERYONE ABOUT MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE 10 MPH HOIME. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A SELF EMPLOYED MECHANIC I KNOW.
AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING CAR IN STREET CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY DRIVE UP TO 50 MPH ON ITS OWN WITH YOUR FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. AND WHEN YOU USE BRAKES TO STOP U CAN FEEL THE CAR STILL STRAINING TO ACCELERATE AND GO .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE GEAR SHIFTER LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER (DEACON JONES FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT 3301 MCLAIN STREET, GOLDSBORO, NC 27534 PHONE NUMBER 800-921-7994) WHO CONFIRMED THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THEIR VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS MESSED UP, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL FRONT TIRES DUE TO UNBALANCING ISSUES AND POPPING NOISES WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND ON EVEN ROADS THAT HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD A BAD HEAD ON WRECK AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M CONCERNED THEY WILL DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT.
REPORTED EARLIER TODAY UNDER CONFIRMATION #11252283 ABOUT TRYING TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE SO CAR CAN BE DRIVEN. NOW GEARSHIFT STILL NOT WORKING AND REMAINING IN PARK BUT ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS REFUSE TO SHUT OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED SO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULDN'T DRAIN THE BATTERY DEAD. NOW THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THERE'S A RECALL ON THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT SWITCH ON THIS 2004 FORD TAURUS.
GEARSHIFT STAYS IN "PARK". ONCE YOU PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PARK VEHICLE, PUT GEARSHIFT IN PARK, TURN OFF IGNITION. . .NEXT TIME YOU START YOUR ENGINE THE GEARSHIFT STAYS IN PARK. V
I HAVE ENGINE CODE P0430, I CHANGE ALL CONVERTERS, ALL 02 SENSORS STILL KEEP GETTING SAME CODE. MY GUESS IS UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I CAN US A LITTLE HELP GETTING THE PART. THANK YOU
WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TRYING TO PULL INTO AN ALLEY THAT LEADS THE MAIN ROAD; MY VEHICLES RPM WENT FROM JUST ABOVE IDLE TO ALMOST 4000. IT CAUSED ME TO FLY THROUGH A STOP SIGN, AS MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. AFTER SOME TUGGING I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND GET IT TO A FULL STOP. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN BACK ON AGAIN, WHILE IN PARK THE RPMS WERE GRADUALLY INCREASING. I STEPPED ON THE GAS WHILE IN PARK, AND IT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE GOING FIFTY FIVE MPH DOWN A COUNTY ROAD. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE RPMS CONTINUED INCREASING AGAIN. I GOT TO ALMOST SEVENTY MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN . I CAME TO A FULL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED BACK UP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I WILL BE HAVING THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT FIRST THING MONDAY.
AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, BRAKING TO STOP A RED LIGHT, THE CAR PROCEEDED TO SLOWLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. AFTER LETTING IT GO FOR A WHILE, IT TOPPED OUT AROUND 52MPH, AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS WORKING ON ITS OWN. I KEPT PRESSING OFF, BUT THAT WOULDN'T WORK. THE CAR STOPPED REVVING RPMS WHEN I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL.
ENTERED CARD IN THE MORNING AND THE FLOOR BOARD WAS INEXPLICABLY SOAKED. AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE HEAT WAS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN THE BLOWER WAS SET ON HIGH, THE FIRST THREE SETTINGS DIDN'T TURN ON AT ALL.
MY 2004 FORD TAURUS SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. DRIVING IN CITY STREET AT 30 MPH, THE CAR ALL BY ITSELF SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE (WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL) AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH. AFTER BRAKING AND PARKING CAR, I TURNED CAR OFF AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE ACCELERATOR / THROTTLE CABLES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED . APPARENTLY IT IS A A BLACK PLASTIC CLIP THAT WAS WEARING OUT AND SLIPPING OFF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THE CABLE THEN CAN GET STUCK OR TANGLED CAUSING STUCK ACCELERATION. I CALLED FORD ON JUNE 7, 2018 AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HEAR OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ATTACHED TO MY VIN. CASE # CAS-14980128. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED OVER 400,000 FORD TAURUS AND SABLE MODELS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. SINCE MY CAR DID NOT COME UP AS BEING RECALLED, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, OTHER FORD MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH POORLY DESIGNED THROTTLE CABLES.
TAKATA RECALL - WHILE DRIVING TAURUS ACCELERATES WITHOUT TOUCHING FUEL PEDAL. ALSO RETAINS SPEED FOR A WHILE AFTER RELEASING FUEL PEDAL. FUEL PEDAL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE STUCK AS WHEN I TAP FUEL PEDAL CAR DOES DOT SLOW DOWN UNTIL I APPLY BRAKE. WHEN FIRST STARTING IN MORNING ENGINE REVS TO 3,000 RPMS AND FALLS GRADUALLY.TAURUS HAS 139,600 MILES.
MAVIS DISCOUNT CENTER WORKED ON THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO HAVE A SLOW IDLE AND STALLS OUT ON THE ROAD. SEVERAL PARTS WERE REPLACED ON THE CAR INCLUDING THE BATTERY, THE IGNITION COIL AND IDLE CONTROL VALVE. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE PCM (THE CARS COMPUTER). THE PCM IS CAUSING THE CAR TO BLOW SEVERAL FUSES BREAKING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF.
THE PROBLEM IS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN COME A LOOSE FROM THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE ACCELERATOR, IF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAS COME LOOSE, THE FITTING AT THE END OF IT CAN GET JAMMED IN THE CAM THAT ROTATES THE THROTTLE PLATE, AND IT WON ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE, CAUSING THE ENGINE RPM TO STAY HIGH. THIS CAN HAPPEN RANDOMLY. IT MAY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, AND IT CAN BE DUPLICATED WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS CONCERN. I "GOOGLED" THROTTLE STICKING ON 04 TAURUS, AND CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL HITS, INCLUDING SOME SHADETREE FIXES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT CAN LEAD TO A CRASH IF THE BRAKES ARENT POWERFUL ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE ENGINE'S POWER OUTPUT OR THE DRIVER DOESNT THINK TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF (OR THEY TURN THE KEY TOO FAR AND LOCK THE STEERING TOO) AND/OR ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
THROTTLE STUCK OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 40 MPH. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN WITH THE FOOT OFF OF THE GAS, SLOWLY INCREASED SPEED INSTEAD. THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE BECAME DETACHED AND GOT STUCK IN THE THROTTLE. HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING. THE CAR REVVED OTHER 4000 WHILE IDLING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
I AM FILING DUAL COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE, FIRST WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AUTHORITY AND A SECOND CONSUMER COMPLAINT WITH MR. PATRICK MORRISEY, ATTORNEY GENERAL WEST VIRGINIA. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION TO HELP RESIDENTS IN THE EVENT OF A SAFETY CONCERN AND A CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT BRINGS A CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE CONSUMER. UNDER "SPEED CONTROL" AS CHECKED OFF, THIS INCLUDES SYSTEMS AND DEVICES INTENDED TO CONTROL (ACCELERATE) THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO THE DRIVER'S INTENT SUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES, LINKAGES, ACTUATORS, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS AND SOFTWARE, CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ACTUATORS AND DEACTIVATING SYSTEMS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM (E.G., FLOOR MATS). MY 2004 TAURUS HAS NEARLY 90,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL. ON MULTIPLE INCIDENTS IN 2017 MY TAURUS WOULD WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATIONS SUDDENLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I DESCRIBE IT TO OTHERS AS HAVING TO THROTTLE STICK. I WAS FREAKING OUT, BECAUSE CARS BEHIND ME DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND I WAS AFRAID THEY WOULD EASILY BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I PUT THE CAR INTO NUETRAL AND THE ENGINE ON ITS OWN VOLITION REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM. A PERSON ON THE SIDE WALK THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO STRIKE THEM AS THEY JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. I LEARNED 150 FAULTY SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM COMPLAINTS, 6 INJURIES, AND 1 DEATH. THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THE NHTSA HAS KNOWN SINCE 2004, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT AND EVEN DEATH REPORTED BUT STRANGELY NO SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE AND TRAGIC PROBLEM, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON I AM FILING THE DUAL COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL MORRISEY. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FROM SUCH ISSUE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Ford Taurus has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 375 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Ford Taurus.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Ford Taurus.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Ford Taurus are vehicle speed control (120 reports), power train (56 reports), air bags (17 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2004 Ford Taurus. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.