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Ford Taurus jerking problems

297 of the 16,903 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2005 model year.

owner complaints
297
worst model year
2005
typical repair cost reported
$1,600
typical mileage
87,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · SC

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to complete the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was blank or inverted while reversing. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to perform the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced hesitation and jerking upon acceleration. The failure caused the vehicle to lose speed and the engine to shut off. The vehicle recently failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic shop and a dealer following near-miss accidents. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the powertrain failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · MN

While driving to work in my 2013 Ford Taurus I went to take a left and the power steering was suddenly gone and the steering wheel was hard to turn. I nearly hit another car and had to brake hard to miss it. I parked at work and after work I started the car and it was fine until about a mile before I got home. Then it happened again and I could hear a scraping like sound when I turned. The steering became very jerky and resistant at lower speeds but I never got a warning light or message. I brought the vehicle in to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the power steering control module (PSCM) had failed and needed to be replaced as well as the rack and pinion. I looked into recalls for the 2013 steering issue and found one but was told my VIN wasn't included. WHY NOT?? I have seen over 600 complaints in regard to this! When are you going to do something about this? AFTER SOMEONE DIES???? How many complaints need to be made before something gets done????

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Transmission · 34,720 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 30-50 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he had parked and stopped driving the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 34,720.

Filed Oct 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · WA

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.

Filed Apr 14, 2023 · Steering · 147,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became very firm, with the vehicle independently jerking to the right. The contact had to use excessive force to return the vehicle to center lane. The contact pulled off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure occurred two more times. The contact stated that an unknown warning light flashed on but did not illuminate a second time. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric power steering assist booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

Filed Oct 3, 2022 · Transmission · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while reversing from a parking spot, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not covered under recall or warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Fuel system · 127,424 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the fuel line had been leaking, requiring frequent refueling. The vehicle had been emitting a fuel odor. While idle the vehicle suddenly jerked and the fuel indicator warning illuminated. The contact pulled into a nearby parking space where the fuel indicator showed 20 miles to empty however, the fuel gauge showed empty. The contact had a certified mechanic diagnose the vehicle and determined that the fuel line had been previously repaired as a temporary fix. The fuel line had been replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 127,424.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · KY

I was in a right hand curve and it felt like my wheel flipped to one side. My steering felt loose. I took it to the shop and had them inspect it. Nothing was wrong with my suspension. I continued to drive it. My steering became even more loose and sloppy. I was struggling to stay in my lane due to the loosened steering. I have had it checked many times and nothing. When it rains I am jerked all over the road from water. It feels like my tires are being pulled in opposite directions at the same time while I am slung into on coming traffic.

Filed Dec 3, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 200,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Oct 16, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 157,087 miles · TX

This has happened about 3 times in the last 2 yrs but while sitting at a light my car suddenly went forward. It didn't go.to far. Maybe a ft or 2 but was enough to scare me. My foot was on the brake. It will also get stuck in gears and lose power on the road. No check engine light is on as of now. One light did come on today while sitting at a light and without notice my car would not go. It was the power throttle/transmission light. I turned the car off and then back on and it drove fine all the way home. It did jerk once. The gear shifting and loss of power happens when I am driving on the highway.

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported November 10, 2020 · 15,587 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
Risk
The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.

Recall number 20V692000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported July 2, 2014 · 83,250 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
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 applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
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 it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Recall number 14V393000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported November 9, 1998 · 1,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equpped with the "california" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.
Risk
Transmission fluid leakage onto the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.

Recall number 98V288000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported June 9, 1997 · 100,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
Risk
The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

Recall number 97V097000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported September 18, 1996 · 340,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
Risk
This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.

Recall number 96V176000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported September 5, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Risk
Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported May 14, 1996 · 100,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
Risk
This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.

Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Taurus jerking

Which Ford Taurus years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2005 (29 complaints), 1994 (27 complaints) and 1995 (25 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the Ford Taurus?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,600 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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