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2001 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Ford Taurus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front and rear coil spring fracture.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Ford Taurus.

Reported to NHTSA

Front and rear coil spring fracture

SUSPENSION

64 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2016-11

“2001 FORD TAURUS WITH 52,000 MILES. REAR COIL SPRING HAS SNAPPED. JUST NOTICED ON THE ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. MECHANIC SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T PUNCTURE THE TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10298432
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10412393
“REAR SPRINGS BROKE WHILE MOVING IN DRIVEWAY. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY? SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 72,000 MILES. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND HAD PLANNED TO KEEP IT A LONG TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10336062

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake-light switch failure and park interlock

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2011-11 → 2025-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON IT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FAILURE WAS TEMPORARILY RESOLVED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437853
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633567
“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a slight hesitation upon shifting the transmission into drive. The contact stated that the gear selector seized, and the vehicle was no longer able to shift out of park”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11654691

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front subframe corrosion

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2010-10 → 2014-04

“EXCESSIVE CORROSION HAS RESULTED IN THE SUB-FRAME BREAKING NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME FASTENER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437208
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE HEARD LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10393825
“THERE WAS VERY LITTLE WARNING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE UNTIL ONE DAY IT DEVELOPED A CLUNK IN THE FRONT THAT WAS WORSE THAN THE SEVERAL THAT WERE ALREADY THERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10362341

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger floor water intrusion from blower motor

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2015-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH WATER BEHIND THE DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10783687
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS SOAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SEALANT NEEDED TO REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10551167
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE BLOWER MOTOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416707

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door will not latch shut in cold weather

STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2019-01

“2001 FORD TAURUS DOOR LOCK NOT LATCHING DURING WINTER WEATHER. VERY SERIOUS AND SCARY SAFETY ISSUE, VERY MUCH SO WHEN THEIR IS ICE AND SNOW ON THE ROADS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10505920
“VEHICLE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30 DEGREES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND WELL IS REPORTED THROUGHOUT MANY MODEL YEARS FOR FORD TAURUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10484461
“VEHICLE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. DOORS WILL EVENTUALLY CLOSE SHUT AFTER VEHICLE INTERIOR HAS BEEN WARMING UP FOR IN EXCESS OF 20 MINUTES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10377407

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration from cruise control cable

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

56 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2020-12

“I HAVE BEEN A LICENSED DRIVE FOR 37 YEARS. AFTER MERGING MY 2001 FORD TAURUS ONTO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10404525
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629976
“I HAVE READ THE NEWS THIS WEEK ABOUT THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO 2005-06 TAURUS SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS AND IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM I EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR WITH MY 2001 TAURUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10451501

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag failure to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-02 → 2015-02

“WRECK INTO A TREE, FROM SLIDING ON ICE - NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680309
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10476559
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO LIGHTS POLES AND A TREE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394134

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded brake lines and loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2014-11

“2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651215
“I LOST BRAKING WHEN A CAME TO A HARD STOP. NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OUT BY DRIVER'S DOOR. I FOUND OUT THE BRAKE LINES THAT GO TO THE REAR OF THE CAR RUPTURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10484735
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN AT 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT WHEELS SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10513298

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

666 crashes 1990–2024

How the 666 occupant deaths break down

464

driver deaths

202

passenger deaths

666

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2000 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

92

complaints mentioning a crash

15

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Ford Taurus reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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