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2006 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Ford Taurus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Unintended acceleration without accelerator input.” 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 2006 Ford Taurus.

Reported to NHTSA

Unintended acceleration without accelerator input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

142 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2024-09

“VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS IT INCREASES TO 40-60 MPH HIGH RPM IN NEUTRAL OR PARK WHILE DRIVING IT INCREASES SPEED ON ITS OWN. NEARLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AT LIGHT TODAY AS I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE IT JUMPED TO 20 MPH CAR HAS 68,000 MILES WELL MAINTAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11169874
“WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD TAURUS OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO A BUSY 4 LANE ROAD WITH A 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT. UPON BRAKING RIGHT BEFORE THE SIDEWALK TO WAIT FOR TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE SPED UP AS IF IT A MIND OF ITS OWN. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452869
“Throttle stuck and vehicle accelerated out of control. Had to brake hard and turn off engine to prevent crash. Speed Control Cable disconnected from cruise control. It has been repaired since the incident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473623

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission or torque converter failure

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2023-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HE HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475596
“Splines on Torque converter stripped out causing vehicle to just rev up and slow down to a stop. Car never moved again, had I been going up a large hill or something this could have been VERY VERY bad, because it wasn't until I was stopped that I realized it was the transmission”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11471939
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power before stalling”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527038

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2022-02

“I was in an accident on Nov12,2021 and the air bag did not deploy. My front end was completely damaged”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11453529
“TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS FRONT BUMPER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND CRASH INTO A ROCK STRUCTURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542066
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND CRASHED INTO A CHAIN LINKED FENCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10593396

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure from corroded or leaking lines

SERVICE BRAKES

9 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2023-06

“BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUST. ALL (ALL) BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. THE SERVICE BRAKES WERE TOTALLY INOPERABLE. A LARGE OIL SPOT ON THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WAS THE ONLY WARNING.. NO LOW FLUID LIGHT IS INSTALLED. THIS VEHICLE IS NON-ABS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899847
“I SUDDENLY FOUND THAT MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 50 MPH. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER. HE TOLD ME THAT HE SEES THIS PROBLEM MORE WITH FORDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10632018
“FORD MOTOR COMPANY SOLD MY VEHICLE WITH A LIFE-THREATENING DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS DESIGN DEFECT COMPRISES A PLASTIC COVER OVER THE STAINLESS STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WHERE THOSE LINES PASS FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO ITS REAR BENEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11055408

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)

317 crashes 1990–2024

How the 317 occupant deaths break down

216

driver deaths

101

passenger deaths

317

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 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.

19

complaints mentioning a crash

4

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 2006 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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