RoadVitals

2000 Ford Taurus Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jun 23, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,195 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words

Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE SUBFRAME THAT HELD THE TWO REAR TIRES WAS ALSO RUSTED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO CHANGE THE REAR TIRES MORE FREQUENTLY. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.

NHTSA ID
10876090
Incident
Feb 10, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 8, 2016
Fire reported

THE CAR BURNT TO THE GROUND OUT OF NO WHERE.

NHTSA ID
10818974
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 10, 2015

THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY 2000 TAURUS: REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JAN 28, 2015 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V040000 COMPONENT(S): STRUCTURE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 194,889 ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE 5 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS EXPAND MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUMMARY: FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2013 FORD TAURUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 1, 2009, TO JULY 31, 2010, AND 2011-2013 LINCOLN MKS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED JUNE 1, 2011, TO OCTOBER 31, 2011. IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING MAY UNSEAT, RESULTING IN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTUATION. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING IS UNSEATED, THE DOOR MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. REMEDY: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FOUR OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES AND EITHER REPAIR OR REPLACE THEM, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 16, 2015. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 15S02. NOTES: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. REQUEST RESEARCH HELP REFINE/NEW SEARCH SELECT ONE OR MORE AREAS TO SEARCH, THEN ENTER UP TO 25 NHTSA IDS SEPARATED BY COMMA, SLASH (/) OR NEW LINE. HELP RECALLS INVESTIGATIONS COMPLAINTS SERVICE BULLETINS NHTSA ID'S15V040. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682489
Incident
May 15, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structureEngineInterior & seats
Filed Feb 24, 2013
Fire reported

FRIDAY AFTERNOON I TOOK MY 90 YEAR OLD MOTHER AND DROVE TO CHICK FILET TO BUY A TAKEOUT LUNCH. I DROVE HOME TO MY MOTHER'S HOUSE AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BACKING UP THE CAR INTO HER DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED BEHIND ME TO CHECK FOR ANYONE WALKING AND THEN HEARD MY MOM SCREAM FIRE!, FIRE!. AS I QUICKLY TURNED MY HEAD BACK I SAW FLAMES JUMPING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2000 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. I QUICKLY TURN OFF THE CAR, GRABBING THE KEYS AS I WENT, YELLED AT MY MOM TO GET OUT AND THEN JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RACED BACK TO OPEN THE TRUNK SO THAT I COULD GET MY MOTHER'S WALKER. AS I ARRIVED AT MY MOTHER'S CAR DOOR I HELPED HER OUT AND PULLED OFF HER OXYGEN CANULA AND TOLD HER TO WALK AS FAST AS SHE COULD TOWARDS THE HOUSE. I THEN GRABBED THE OXYGEN TANK, PURSES, AND LUNCH AND RAN TOWARD THE HOUSE SCREAMING FOR SOMEONE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A NEIGHBOR SAID THEY WOULD. I UNLOCKED MY MOTHER'S DOOR AND SHE PRESSED HER LIFE ALERT BUTTON AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I WALKED OUT SIDE TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SAW A MAN NEAR THE CAR LOOKING AT IT. I YELLED AT HIM TO GET AWAY IN CASE IT BLEW UP. HE DID AND IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS IT BLEW GLASS, AND OTHER BITS ALL ABOUT AND WAS FULLY ENGULFED WITH FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK ABOUT 7 MINUTES TO GET THERE AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED AND BURNING UP FROM FRONT TO BACK. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE SCARY THING IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER TO LET US KNOW THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. NO SMOKE, NO SMELLS, NOTHING. MY MOTHER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED UP IF WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT IN TIME. MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND I HAD JUST PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FOR IT. WE DROVE OUR CAR VERY CAREFULLY AND WE HAD OWNED IT FOR 13 YEARS AND HAD LOW MILEAGE ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT. WHY DID THIS CAR CATCH FIRE AND EXPLODE WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10499868
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Mileage
46,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STEERED ABNORMALLY TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED CORROSION ON THE FRAME NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 145,000. UPDATED11/29/11 *BF UPDATED 02/29/12

NHTSA ID
10433046
Incident
Oct 19, 2011
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,777.

NHTSA ID
10425425
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
138,777 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 4, 2010

MY CAR DOOR DOESN'T ALWAYS LATCH IMMEDIATELY WHEN I CLOSE THE DOOR. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DRIVE 5 MILES HOLDING THE CAR DOOR CLOSED WITH ONE HAND BEFORE THE DOOR WILL LATCH. THIS HAPPENS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CAR HAS TO WARM UP BEFORE THE DOOR WILL LATCH. I HAVE TRIED LUBRICATING THE DOOR LATCH AND THAT DOESN'T WORK. THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE CAR DOOR LATCH WORKS GREAT DURING SPRING, FALL AND SUMMER.

NHTSA ID
10370030
Incident
Dec 26, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 11, 2010

WHEN IT RAINS I GET PUDDLES OF WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING, THE BLOWER MOTOR HAS RUSTED OUT. WATER APPEARS TO BE COMING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE CABIN FILTER AREA AND THEN DRIPPING THROUGH UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10318806
Incident
Mar 10, 2010
Mileage
85,860 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2009

2000 FORD TAURUS SE. I HAVE HAD A LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH FOR A YEAR NOW ANY TIME IT RAINS. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT BOTH PASSENGER FLOOR AND FLOOR BEHIND PASSENGER SEAT IS SOAKED AFTER A GOOD RAIN. IT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE BLOWER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10292220
Incident
Nov 14, 2009
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed May 11, 2009

WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND WATER ACCUMULATES ON THE FLOOR IN MY 2000 FORD TAURUS LX. SEE COMPLAINT #: 03V087000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268383
Incident
May 5, 2009
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 1, 2008

PASSENGER FOOT WELL FILLS WITH WATER DURING HARD RAINS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250341
Incident
Nov 30, 2008
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 12, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,000.

NHTSA ID
10241945
Incident
Sep 12, 2008
Mileage
133,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 3, 2008

WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR BOARDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BLOWER RESISTOR THREE TIMES, ONCE FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW COWL AND RAIN HAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223313
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Mileage
106,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 20, 2008

FORD TAURUS WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CABIN. OVER AN INCH OF WATER ON FLOOR. APPEARED AFTER CABIN FILTER WAS REPLACED. DEALER REPLACED RT. SIDE COWL AND WEATHER STRIPPING. STILL HAD LEAK. APPARENTLY THEY CRACKED OR DID NOT PROPERLY REINSTALL THE CABIN FILTER COVER. HAD SOME WORK DONE SINCE THEN WITH NEW CABIN FILTER, HAD HEAVY RAIN AND WATER DAMAGE AGAIN. THIS TIME, BLOWER MOTOR AND BLOWER RESISTOR RUINED. SMELLED ELECTRICAL BURNING. VERY DANGEROUS, I WOULD IMAGINE, NOT TO MENTION, TRYING TO DRIVE WITH FOGGED UP WINDOWS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY OVER $450 TO REPAIR. I HAVE REFUSED. INCIDENTS WERE IN 12/04 AND NOW. HAVE READ PLENTY OF INFO. REGARDING FORD'S FAULTY DESIGN OF TAURUS' (MINE) SABLES AND OTHER MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10221839
Incident
Mar 19, 2008
Mileage
42,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 4, 2008

PASSENGER FLOORBOARD IS FILLING UP WITH WATER ONLY WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE HAD THE HEATER CORE, HEATER CORE CAUSING AND WEATHER STRIP REPLACED BY MIDAS AND RAINHAT AND WEATHER STRIPING REPLACED BY FORD BUT IT STILL LEAKS. *TR BLOWER MOTOR SHORTED OUT BECAUSE OF WATER.

NHTSA ID
10220056
Incident
Jan 10, 2008
Mileage
95,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2008

WATER LEAK FROM THE FIREWALL NEAR THE HEATER MOTOR RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF WATER POOLING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215948
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Nov 26, 2007

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS FILLING UP WITH WATER WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210005
Incident
Nov 25, 2007
Mileage
47,300 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 3, 2007

2000 FORD TAURUS SE FLOORBOARD FILLS WITH WATER, UNKNOWN SOURCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10192332
Incident
May 24, 2007
Mileage
125,400 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 15, 2006

2000 TAURUS DRIVERS DOOR HANDLES FAILED. *TS SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER IT'S EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER' S DOOR OPEN ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT MOISTURE GOT INTO THE LOCKS. THE DEALER SPRAYED THE LOCKS. DURING THE WINTER OF 2004 AND 2005 THE CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING UNTIL THE LOCK THAWED ENOUGH TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NOT UNLOCKING. NOW ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177472
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2005

PAINT SPLINTERED OFF OF REAR BUMPER WHEN A STRAY SHOPPING CART REPORTEDLY BUMPED VEHICLE. BLACK RUBBER BUMPER EXPOSED. SUCH A SLIGHT BUMP THAT NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE; PAINT JUST SHATTERED OFF OF BUMPER.

NHTSA ID
10121443
Incident
May 19, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Mar 8, 2005

IN COLD WEATHER THE LIFTGATE COLLAPSED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST TWO WINTERS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMETIMES IN COOL WEATHER THE GLASS LIFTGATE STAYS UP, IN OTHER INSTANCES WITHOUT WARNING IT SUDDENLY DROPS CAUSING PAINFUL BLOWS TO THE HEAD, HANDS OR BOTH. *TC

NHTSA ID
10108795
Incident
Dec 12, 2002
Mileage
40 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 8, 2005

THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10111128
Incident
Jul 26, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Nov 5, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH BLIND SPOTS WHILE DRIVING 2000 FORD TAURUS. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN GOING THROUGH ANY INTERSECTION DUE TO THE BLIND SPOT THAT BLOCKS THE VISION FOR A FEW SECONDS. (STRUCTURE ISSUE PER CONSUMER) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10048267
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2003

THE PANELING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAS PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10018692
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 8, 2003

WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015465

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .