What 587 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Taurus

The car regularly starts without pressing the brake down first. The car has they key but says no key detected and drives with or without it. This is a push start ignition car.

NHTSA ODI 11749567

The contact's mother owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, several unknown warning lights illuminated when turning off the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. In addition, the gear shifter had seized in park(P). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had several previous ongoing failures. The contact stated that the failure started shortly after the vehicle was purchased in 2013. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 11706565

The backup camera has failed. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. I have seen other reports on NHTSA here specifying the same problem. Visibility in this car is poor and is augmented by the backup camera. Car serviced by ford dealerships only. If left unrepaired, other drivers of this make and model 2013-2019 Taurus have an increased susceptibility to collisions.

NHTSA ODI 11698932

No heat gauge, oil pressure gauge on vehicle. Blend door issue, one side blows hot, other cold. Radio not working. Weird noise in dash by ignition. Ignition sticks when trying to start car, keeps turning over. Dimmer switch doesn't work. Car can be tracked by unknown people, without permission.

NHTSA ODI 11695650

In March of 2025 my vehicles driver assist lights started blinking coming out of my apt complex and within 15 seconds I couldn't even turn the wheels at all. Ive had several mechanics run their computer to diagnose the issue and was told that this make model and year has a recall for loss of steering which is an electrical issue. I called Ford themselves and they refused to even look at my car. I cannot find a mechanic who will even repair this electrical issue. Car is in perfect condition. Just replaced all 4 tires in January 2025 and oil change.

NHTSA ODI 11688555

The backup camera in my car randomly stops working. The screen will appear black when I put it in reverse and a note pops up saying “rear camera unavailable please contact dealership.” Then the next day it will work again, then go out again. It’s random but happens too frequently.

NHTSA ODI 11669630

I was driving, with absolutely no warning the steering wheel tightened up and wouldn’t turn. I had to take evasive actions to avoid a crash and park. My vehicle has a recall in the system but was apparently not apart of it. I am unsure exactly what part is causing the issue whether it is the electronic power steering motor or the power steering rack itself. Upon request I can provide the item for inspection. The vehicle and parts have not been assessed by any outside source.

NHTSA ODI 11668283

Started my car up then put it in drive, when my traction control light turned on, and my power steering assist light also turned on my dashboard as I was driving out of my on street parking spot. I lost all power to my steering wheel , and was unable to turn it so I could attempt to safely move back over to far right lane, as I was in downtown traffic. This is so scary and terrifying. It's my second car ever which I worked really hard for. I tried to turn car off, and restart it like Google said, but it was the same loss of steering. The car is sitting at my parents house.

NHTSA ODI 11655221

My back up camera is not working for many year even when I got repaired.

NHTSA ODI 11625744

Was driving and my electrical power assist came on and I ran off the road twice because I had no steering. So I eventually got it home and called Ford and talked to a rep and they said there is a recall but it is VIN sensitive. But of course my vin wasn’t one in the recall. Which is crazy because it has all the symptoms as the recall but won’t cover mine. I could have been really hurt as well as my daughter and it’s just crazy if there’s a recall then it should cover all the vehicles with in the year and model. Not just certain ones especially when I have same exact symptoms as recall

NHTSA ODI 11595883

The AC/Heat will shut off randomly and not turn back on. I’ve had my car into the shop many times and the issue still is not fixed. I’ve talked to many people with the same car as me and they all have stated that they have the same issues.

NHTSA ODI 11595383

Power steering died out and is not working

NHTSA ODI 11586935

While driving my vehicle at 50 mph, the power steering went out and the stability control light went off. The vehicle almost crashed. There was no water, rain, or slippage of any kind. After pulling over, shutting the car off, and restarting, did the car resume normal operation. After researching this problem, I located a recall, 15s18, which describes my exact situation. However, after contacting my local dealer they said my vehicle was not included in the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11533799

Purchased vehicle on 10/06/2022. Within a week noticed surging and /or loss of power. I also smelled buring of some sort. Contacted the dealership and tried to make arrangements for car to be diagnosed and repaired. Codes began to show on the dash. When I took it to be read it showed throttle issues. On 10/18/2022 I was at a complete stop at a stop sign. When I released the brake and touched the gas the car unexpectedly sured at high speed on its own. My vehicle hit another vehicle causing major damage to both cars. It was extremely terrifying having my car take off at a high rate of speed without me in control. This now has caused tremendous hardship financially, Emotionally and I now have legal issues due to this accident that was no fault of my own.

NHTSA ODI 11498795

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked at the residence, she was unable to start the vehicle. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning electrical odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471104

On 9/26/21, I was driving my 2013 Ford Taurus on the highway, when suddenly lost power steering. Two error messages immediately appeared on the dashboard: "Service Advancetrac" and "Power Steering Fault". I managed to pull the car over safely, however this was an extremely dangerous situation that could have led to an accident. The car was brought to Watertown Ford, 26 Seyon Street, Waltham MA, 02453. The Ford technician confirmed that multiple diagnostic codes were present (related to the steering rack and PCSM - power steering control module), and indicated that the power steering rack needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,700. Upon further research, I noticed that Ford opened a recall program for 2013 Ford Taurus models pertaining to this exact issue. I called Ford, but was informed that my VIN number was not included in the recall, and did not receive an explanation why. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18. NHTSA Campiagn Number is 15V605000. I'm shocked that this was not covered under Ford's recall program, and that I was forced to pay $2,700 in order to have a completely new power steering rack installed. I'm quite fearful that this will occur again in the future. I have attached the invoice from Watertown Ford for reference.

NHTSA ODI 11435854

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. AND I COULD NOT TURN MY WHEEL. FORTUNATELY I WAS PARKED. I JUST COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL TO MOVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY AND I COULD MOVE THE WHEEL AGAIN. WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11415851

RIVERTOWN FORD HAS CLAIMED TO INSPECT THE REAR TOELINK AND COULD NOT HAVE CONSIDERING I'VE FELT THE REAR END TRAILING FROM TIME TO TIME AND NOTICED UPON INSPECTION DEPLOYED BY MYSELF VISUALLY THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TOELINK HAD BEEN CRACKING. WHEN I NOTIFIED FORD BY PHONE THE DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME BRUSHED ME OFF WHEN I FINALLY TALKED THEM INTO AT LEAST DOING A MULTI POINT INSPECTION THAT I PAID FOR THEY CLAIMED THEY HADN'T NOTICED ANYTHING. THEY THEN AND SINCE THEN REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT THE SUSPENSION WITHOUT A 300$ FEE. (2 THE OTHER INSTANCE IS AFTER RECEIVING DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND OBTAINING A "SHORT" IN MY BCM I STARTED TO GET IMMOBERLIZER MESSAGES. P161-2A INCORRECT MESSAGE FROM IMMOBILIZER. I DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE WITH MY LAPTOP AND OBD2 PASSTHRU DEVICE AND AFTER SEEING THE ISSUE WAS FROM PATS WHICH BY THE WAY ISN'T EVEN PRESENT IN THE 2013-19 FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDANS FORD AGAIN WANTED 400$ TO"DIAGNOSE" THE VEHICLE IN WHICH I HAD COMMUNICATED WITH THE SUPERVISOR TRYING TO CONFIRM MY FEAR OF PAYING THE AMOUNT WILL THEY BE ABLE TO AT LEAST REPAIR OR BE FURTHER ALONG.THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULDN'T EVEN FIX OR PROGRAM THE ISSUE IF THIS IS THE CASE. AFTER THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO TOW IT THERE AND HAVING MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS THEY AGAIN TRYING TO RECEIVE MORE MONEY AND CLAIMS OF PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT BY THE SERVICE TECH I REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY RIDICULOUS CLAIMS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PROGRAM THEIR OWN FORD I THEN HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER 2 MONTHS I STILL HAVE THE SAME MESSAGE AFTER PCM AND BCM REPLACEMENT (2 SEPARATE INSTANCES) DATES ARE FOR TOELINK ISSUE PATS IS A CURRENT ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11398663

I NOTICED ON THE FORD PASS APP THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE APIM ON THE SYNC SYSTEM. THEY (FORD) EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE NOTIFICATION WAS SENT TO A PREVIOUS OWNER AND NOT ME (I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2016). THEY NOW SAY THIS EXTENSION IS EXPIRED AND THE COST WOULD HAVE TO BE MY RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11391097

RADIO WORKS NO AUDIO SOUND COMING THROUGH SPEAKERS, TRIED SYNC DID NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11383328

MY ENGINE LIGHT IS CAME ON. AT FIRST IT WAS READING THAT MY FUEL PUMP WAS GOING BAD. I'VE RECENTLY REPLACED MY FUEL PUMP AND NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND ITS READING TWO DIFFERENT CODES. ONE IS A LEAK WITH MY GAS CAP. THE OTHER ONE IS ELETRICAL. MY CAR HAS CUT OFF ME AS IF I'VE RAN OUT OF GAS AND I WASN'T REALLY OUT OF GAS. WHEN I HAVE SOMEONE COME AND BRING ME GAS IN A GAS CAN, WHILE POURING THE GAS IN ITS LEAKING RIGHT OUT AS IF MY THING ISNT CONNECTED OR I HAD A LINE THATS CUT. MY GAS METER ISNT WORKING PROPERLU EITHER AND WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE ALL OF MY LIGHTS TURN ON AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE THEY CUT OFF. MY STEREO FREEZES AND CUTS ON AND OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11375172

VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR NON START ISSUE. FUEL DRIVER MODULE REPLACED ON 06/25/20. NOW MY SYNC IS INOPERABLE AFTER FUEL PUMP REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11337162

THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING WHEN I WENT TO FORD THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL BUT I SEE A RECALL ONLINE FOR SAME ISSUE THE PROBLEM NEVER GOT TAKING CARE OF SO I WANTED TO GET IT TAKING CARE OF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON I HAD IT LOOKED AT THE RECALL IS SAME ISSUE SHOWING ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHY IS FORD SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL WHEN I SEE THAT IT CLEARLY SHOWS RECALL AND NO WORK HAD BEEN DONE TO MY VEHICLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI 11319426

MY CAR HAD A HARD START AND ROUGH IDLE. 02 SENSORS WERE ORDERED BECAUSE IF THE CODE IT WAS GIVING OFF. DAYS LATER MY CAR THREW A WENCH SIGN, ONLY ONCE AFTER THE CAR TURNED OFF IT DIDN'T SHOW UP AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED JERKING, THE RPMS WERE JUMPING AND THE CAR ACTUALLY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING. AFTER LOOKING UP THESE CODES THIS WAS AN ISSUE MANY OTHERS WERE HAVING WITH THIS CAR AND OTHER FORD MODELS. IT HAS SINCE TURNED ON, RAN FOR SECONDS, AND TURN OFF SHORTLY AFTER. EACH TIME A CODE IS RAN IT SHOWS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN IT DID PREVIOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI 11318315

WHILE DRIVING BOTH ON A HIGHWAY ( 55 MPH) AND A TOWN ROAD (25 MPH) THE CAR ENGINE AND THE WHOLE CAR SHUT DOWN AND STALLED OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR BRIEFLY, BOTH TIMES, TO GET HOME. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO MANEUVER OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. NOW, AFTER PARKING, THE CAR WILL CRANK BUT WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ODI 11276978