I was on my way to work. When I came to the stop sign to turn on the main road. I felt my car jerk. I thought it was weird and kept driving anyways. Then I noticed the resistance was gone from the gas pedal and it went straight to the floor. So I came to the stop light and kept my foot on the brake. When the light turned green and I had let go of the brakes. My car was accelerating on its own. I had to keep pumping the brakes so I wouldn't crash or hurt anyone. I managed to pull into a mechanic's shop and asked for help. The mechanic told me that it was my cruise control and that it wasn't disengaging. So he had to disconnect it from my car.
The worst 2005 Ford Taurus problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
1 of 3
Adaptive cruise control problems
- Complaints
- 206
- Typical cost
- $600
- Typical mileage
- 90,354 mi
- Recall
- No
2 of 3
Sudden unintended acceleration
- Complaints
- 122
- Typical cost
- $1,681
- Typical mileage
- 95,000 mi
- Recall
- No
3 of 3
Complete transmission failure
- Complaints
- 36
- Typical cost
- $3,100
- Typical mileage
- 65,268 mi
- Recall
- No
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration529
- Transmission123
- Engine107
- Fuel system41
- Brakes36
- Electrical28
- Airbags27
- Body22
- Visibility12
- Steering7
- Suspension7
- Lights4
- Locks4
- Seat belts4
- Tires3
- Driver assistance2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Ford Taurus
Adaptive cruise 206Sudden acceleration 122Transmission failure 36Jerking 29Check engine light 17Stalling 16No deployment 11Fire or smoke 9Grinding brakes 7Slipping 7Fuel gauge 5Hesitation 5Won't start 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Stuck throttle
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the federal safety agency Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
PE12005
Engine stalling ffv
On october 11, 2006, public citizen petitioned odi to investigate reports of engine stalls caused by e85 fuel in certain model year (my) 2003 - 2005 ford taurus flex-fuel vehicles (ffv). Odi's review of the petition and other available data found a low stall rate attributable to e-85 fueling and that the main concerns,prolonged engine start and rough idle during cold engine startup at winter temperatures, were resolved by an engine software update.to ensure that all subject vehicles receive this update, ford initiated a notification campaign to offer free engine computer recalibration.based on this information, this defect petition is denied. This denial should not be construed as a finding that no safety defect exists.odi reserves the right to reconsider this issue if future data warrant.additional details can be found in the federal register notice posted in the dp06-005 public file.
DP06005
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Ford Taurus 31
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected
- Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit...
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic...
- 3.0L 4V - MIL on - with multiple coil DTC codes. kb
- Extended warranty coverage for vehicles with hard start when operating on E85 fuel, powertrain control...
- Tenths digit not displayed on odometer after 10,000 miles/kilometers. tt
- Camshaft tick noise - 3.0L 4V engine only. tt
- Flex fuel - long crank/hard start. tt
- Power lock concerns - service tip. tt
- Power window concerns - service tip. tt
2005 Ford Taurus fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 23-25 | 19-20 |
What 2005 Ford Taurus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
For a while now I have noticed that intermittently when barely stepping on the accelerator pedal, the car will accelerate but continue to speed up even with my foot off of the accelerator. I have to step on the break extremely hard to come to a stop, and car will still be doing around 40mph when at a complete stop or light. The check engine light has been on, and I have taken it to a mechanic twice, one of the times he had it for a month trying to figure out what that light is about, checking everything possible, but I am not sure if that light has anything to do with the accelerator.
On December 10, 2020 I acquired tis particular automobile. In the calendar year following, I have been advised of and experience "sudden acceleration" and other anomalies . I have found further oil pan plug bolt, and today 02/10/2022 the Complaint of other owners. Particularly airbag sudden inflation and brake shift Interlock and no airbag operation. This is presumed to be a collision sensor relationship. I am in the process of restoration and replacement of the affected components. I have difficulty in data and trouble shoot information on the website and brand dealership. (Napa, Adv.auto parts, auto zone, orielly, salvage yards. I have spent $163.50 at Ford dealer charged me. I spent $269.70 at the American automobile association. No repairs have taken place by these people who have been advised that the manufacturer of the vehicle is alerts for further information and details of the job description and replacement parts for airbags components and sensors and clockspring set. I have been advised to contact the seller and demand replacement at no cost to me. To top it all off, Mercury and Ford plants keep duping each other and me for more money on a known defective product and vehicle.A Holdover surplus of one brand to another brand. These being as 2004 Mercury Sable airbag module and 2005 Ford Taurus airbags components and sensors and clockspring and sudden acceleration by cruise control modules and defects. Help please. Truth and reliable information on cost and parts source. Parts source and retailers. Thank you very much. Loyal to the end of living. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently from 45 mph to 65 mph. The contact stated the accelerator pedal was not being depressed during the failure. The brake pedal was depressed to slow the vehicle to a stop. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected under the hood. The contact noticed that the cruise control cable was jammed up into the accelerator cable which caused the accelerator cable to open. The contact moved the cruise control cable back into the correct position and drove back to their residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Design flaw - station wagon rear tailgate opening lever and rod to lock is inoperative.
Random and sporadic acceleration while driving on a city street.
The car was started then it was being shifted from park to drive, the driver side air bag went off, before getting it in to drive (made it to neutral).this happened in the driveway.
My car will accelerate on its own without me pressing the gas. This happens at least 4 times a week while I am driving and happens when I am driving between 20 and 50 MPH. I can make the engine rev/acceleration stop by quickly tapping on the gas pedal. I have had the cruise control disconnected because my mechanic thought this was part of the problem but the random sef-acceleration has continued and seems to be getting more frequent. This has been going on off and on for a few years but has increased in frequency over the past few months.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for service at an independent mechanic, while in service with the contact inside the vehicle, the technician asked the contact to shift the gear into reversed to check the rear brake lights. The contact stated that when she shifted into reversed, the vehicle accelerated in reversed, the contact depressed the brake pedal but the brake failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle went through the business front glass door and came to a stop on a street. The contact did not sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The contact mentioned that she contacted the insurance company for the vehicle and property damage. The vehicle was not yet taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
Started recently, when I start the car the rpms rev way up. Past 3000. While driving I constantly have to ride the break or put it in neutral. I literally can drive miles at 45 MPH and never touch the accelerator pedal. It would shoot up past 3000 rpms . This car's going to kill someone.
Compare the 2005 Ford Taurus
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2005 Ford Taurus
Is the 2005 Ford Taurus reliable?
Owners have filed 774 complaints about the 2005 Ford Taurus, 3.8 times a typical Taurus model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 Ford Taurus year score?
The 2005 Ford Taurus scores 27 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Taurus: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Taurus?
Acceleration and speed control, with 529 complaints, typically around 93,709 miles. Next is transmission (123).
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Taurus have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Taurus get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Ford Taurus range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17-18 city and 23-25 highway.
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