Complaints
482
Crashes
48
Fires
17
Injuries
36
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1159 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:103,401 mi
Crash-related:15
Fires:1
#243 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:110,340 mi
Crash-related:2
#326 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:99,796 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 159 | 15 | 1 | 103,401 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 43 | 2 | — | 110,340 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 26 | — | — | 99,796 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 25 | 1 | 2 | 106,949 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 23 | — | 5 | 107,678 mi | |
| Brakes | 18 | 3 | — | 109,046 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 13 | 1 | — | 70,378 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 3 | 1 | 84,812 mi | |
| Airbags | 12 | 8 | — | 109,550 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 | 8 | — | 63,450 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 9 | — | 1 | 106,655 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | 86,528 mi | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 123,436 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | 1 | — | 111,583 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 116,950 mi | |
| Body Structure | 5 | — | 1 | 45,802 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | 1 | — |
Unintended Acceleration
159
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Avg Miles
103,401
Transmission / Drivetrain
43
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,340
Automatic Transmission
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,796
Engine Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
106,949
Electrical Faults
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
107,678
Brakes
18
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,046
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,378
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
84,812
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,550
Air Bags:Frontal
9
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,450
Gasoline Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
106,655
Structural Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,528
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,436
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,583
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,950
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,802
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
2004 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Ford Taurus has 482 NHTSA complaints, 48 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 159 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (159 complaints, avg 103,401 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (43 complaints, avg 110,340 mi); Automatic Transmission (26 complaints, avg 99,796 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 101,786 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Ford Taurus include 48 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 36 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Taurus?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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