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Ford Taurus won't start problems

176 of the 16,903 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe won't start, most of them for the 2014 model year.

owner complaints
176
worst model year
2014
typical repair cost reported
$602
typical mileage
72,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · MO

The car wouldn't start or even turn over. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk as the car broke down in the middle of nowhere, on a curve and a hill, smack dab in the middle of the road, cellphone, internet service and 911 was spotty at best, it was around midnight. I finally got through to call my Mother's insurance company for a tow truck, waited 3 hours, tow truck did not show, so I called the number given to me. The man that answered, was highly intoxicated and slurring his words. I finally got through to 911 and they called my preference of towing company, that arrived in 1.5 hours. I had to wait nearly 6 hours for a tow truck to arrive, not 1 vehicle passed by the entire time. Thankfully I arrived at my destination a little after daylight, unharmed. Yes, there were a plethora of lights that came on, to include, tire pressure, starting system failure, engine coolant. We had the vehicle at Baldwin Ford in [XXX] and most recently at Bud Shell Fors in [XXX] . This all started after someone tried to starve my Father in law to death on or about March 2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · CO

Driving down CR 230 in Wyoming, the situation started if I have to estimate, 7 miles west of Woods Landing, I heard a metal on metal grinding noise from the engine bay, and a loss of power on the throttle. I look at my RPM gauge and notice it is a zero. No check engine light, all electronics working as normal along with the brakes, and I slow the vehicle down to 30 MPH. Shortly after noticing, I get a "Check Brake System" flash on my instrument panel cluster, also the light which illuminates for my parking brake turns on, and I lose power brakes, the brake pedal turned extremely stiff. I immediately look for a pull off zone, but because I had lost brakes I did not want to risk keeping the vehicle moving. I get the vehicle stopped on the side of the road, and instantly put it in park along with the parking brake and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle would not start or crank, just a flash across all of the electronics, the lights go dark, then illuminate again as if normal. This is an extremely dangerous situation, the vehicle had not notified me that the motor had stopped turning; not a check engine light or ring at all, and shortly after that the power brakes stop working. This is very dangerous for motorists because of the lack of notification from the vehicle, and the incredibly weak breaking ability. If the vehicle had been moving at highway speeds, any sort of traffic, I could've ended up injured or dead, and even worse, killed another driver. The vehicle was towed to the nearest town where it would be inspected by a dealership; they reported to have found coolant in the oil and that the vehicle needed a new motor. No other details have been confirmed, and the problem has not been reproduced by the dealership. It is unknown if the dealership inspected the braking system.

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Fuel system · 60,916 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact stated that the failure had occurred in 2020. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump and failed modulator. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,916.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Fuel system · KS

On 2 occasions in October 2023 my 2014 Ford Taurus would not start after cranking. Once the engine had been warm. The 2nd time approximately 2 weeks later, it was cold and had to be towed to Ford dealer. After the dealer said it was the fuel pump driver module needing replacement, it appears this was a known problem (see below from Ford website); however, mine was not recalled. Mine came from the Chicago factory as well. This should be replaced at no charge to me, including the tow fee. Total $602.90 should be reimbursed. "DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 24, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls and one safety compliance recall in North America. Details are as follows: Ford issues safety recall for certain 2013-15 Ford and Lincoln vehicles to replace fuel pump control modules Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 86,000 2013-15 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines, as well as Ford Police Interceptor sedans to replace fuel pump control modules. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump control module could fail, which may cause an engine to not start or stall. In some cases, the engine could stall without warning while driving and without the ability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include: 2013-15 Ford Taurus with 3.5-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engine built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Aug. 25, 2011 to May 31, 2015"

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Fuel system · AR

Vehicle will crank but will not start. Mechanic looked at it and said the module is bad and needs replaced. When replaced, vehicle started fine. There is a recall for this but it is not for my engine type.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · CA

I bought a 2007 ford Taurus SEL from a dealership Oct ,2020 3 months after having we pulling up to a stop light and it was like the car wanted to take off by it's self and then when the light turned green we started to drive and it just shut off in the middle of traffic we had to get out and push it to the side almost got hit by the car behind us and the on coming cars I've had it serviced for tune and oil changes fuil system flush everything and they can never find anything wrong with it but a miscellaneous leak that they can not find where it's coming from and now we'll first in Sept we came home one day ate dinner then we were going to go to movies we got in the car and the car would not start the alarm sound then everything went dim and auto theft blinked and car shut off we tried starting it it would not start finally got a jump it started and a little bit and then in on November 3rd we went to leave again and it would not start it was making a ticking sound then we had to get a jump and it start and we got in the car left got around the corner then all the lights on dash board like flashed and everything went dark and car shut off had to get it jumped it started but lights never came back on and so we took it to shop next day told them what happened they could not find nothing wrong and then December 15 same thing and then long story short we had it hooked up to machine and they said something about ptu at the shop I don't know what's going on I did some research of my own and there seems to be alot of simulator issues with other people's Taurus as well

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that after multiple attempts the vehicle failed to start up. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact replaced the fuel pump electric module, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2021 · Fuel system · SD

The exact situation which is listed on this Ford recall has affected my Taurus. However, this issue is not connected with my VIN even though my window sticker says it was assembled in Chicago. The car would start and then stop, it would not start back up, or it would do a combination. It wasn't the same every time. The dealer I had work on my car replaced the fuel pump driver module and informed me about the recall but I was never able to get in touch with Ford. I have recently been able to connect with Ford and they said it wasn't associated with my VIN and there was nothing they could do or submit to try for reimbursement since it's been over 90 days from when the work was performed.

Filed Nov 3, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Fuel pump control module failure. No start intermittent. Could have been stuck 5 hours away if it would've been a week earlier. No warning lights or indications previously.

Filed Jul 13, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 67,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that she attempted to get a jump start however, the vehicle still would not start. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump module and the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16V621000 (Fuel system, Gasoline). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact to call back after the vehicle was diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported December 22, 2016 · 1,163 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Risk
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.

Recall number 16V925000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported March 2, 2004 · 399,926 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Risk
This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 04V105000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported December 21, 2001 · 695,260 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: taurus/sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l and 3.8l engines and mustang vehicles with 3.8l and 5.0l engines. It is possible for the engine cooling fan bearing to seize.
Risk
Should this occur, excessive heat could be generated which could melt the fan motor electrical connector. Components inside the cooling fan motor could ignite potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine cooling fan assembly and install a circuit breaker. If the cooling fan is inoperative, the fan and motor assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began december 28, 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 number 01V390000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported February 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles affected
What is wrong
These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l engines and 1992-1994 lincoln continental vehicles with 3.8l engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.
Risk
This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.

Recall number 97V019000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Taurus won't start

Which Ford Taurus years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2014 (24 complaints), 2013 (21 complaints) and 2015 (20 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Ford Taurus?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $602 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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