RoadVitals

2000 Ford Taurus Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
61
Latest Jul 22, 2019
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.
5%
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.
17
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 61 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 61, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO SHUT OFF, WHICH REQUIRED THE BATTERY CABLE TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE EVENT THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS, HIGH BEAMS, AND FOG LIGHTS SHORT OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11233778
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 5, 2019
Fire reported

PART OF THE ENGINE, TOP PORTION CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET NEAR MY RESIDENCE IN LANCASTER, CA. I NOTICED THE SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT THE STOP LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11174555
Incident
Feb 2, 2019
Mileage
87,270 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 2016
Fire reported

I CONTACTED FORD IN 2011 BECAUSE MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND EXPLODED. THEY WROTE ME A LETTER ASKING FOR RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD BOUGHT IT USED FROM REYNOLDS FORD IT HAD 1 OWNER. I DID HAVE IT FIXED BY PEOPLE NOT AT FORD AND OIL CHANGES NOT AT FORD . I BOUGTH A NEW CAR BUT THE FIRE WAS SCARY AND MY LIABILTY DOES NOT PAY FOR IT. I RECENTLY SAW ANOTHER CAR ON FACEBOOK IT LOOKED LIKE MY CAR IA SKED WHAT KIND OF CAR IS THAT THEY SAID A 2000 FORD TAURUS. I BLEIVE THAT THIS SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED WHEN I TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY I JUMPED OUT RIGHT AWAY OR I WOULD HAVE BURNED AND THANK GOD I HAD NO CHILDREN WITH ME. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU. PLEASE LET ALL OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS KNOW MY CAR HAD JUST HIT 200,000 MILES. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT. FORD SHOULD HAVE THE RECORDS OF THE PICTURES I SENT TO THEM. I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST ON A LOCAL STREET WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD I OULLED OVER FAST UNDID MY SEAT BELT AND GRAB MY PURSE AS SOON AS I DID THAT THE MOTOR EXPLODED AND WAS ON FIRE. WITNESS SAID THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY THE FIREMAN WERE THERE PRETTY FAST AND THEY BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
10881694
Incident
Jun 8, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 2, 2016

MY 2000 FORD TAURUS SES IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING THE RADIO IS PLAYING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING.AS I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO SUDDENLY TURNS OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK.THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING AGAIN.AS BEFORE,WHILE I AM DRIVING THE RADIO GOES OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING AGAIN AND THEY WON'T WORK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

NHTSA ID
10839503
Incident
Feb 29, 2016
Mileage
185,748 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
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 11, 2015
Fire reported

STARTED TO SMELL BURNED WIRES IN CAR. LOOK UNDER DASH AND SMOKE AND WIRES WHERE BURNED. BRAKE LIGHTS DONT WORK. READING ONLINE AND OTHER ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND PEOPLE WHERE HAVING SAME ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED DEALER THEY SAID THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY ARE NO MORE RECALLS ON THAT. BUT I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE GREAT DANGER.

NHTSA ID
10715627
Incident
May 8, 2015
Mileage
235,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STARTER AND SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10644611
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Oct 26, 2012

THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ACTUATE AND NOT BE ABLE THE SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482358
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 17, 2011
Fire reported

THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES 30 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PARKED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE FIRE WAS SEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THEY ARRIVED SHORTLY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD, AND UP INTO THE DASH WAS BURNED AND MELTED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430512
Incident
Oct 13, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Mar 5, 2011
Crash reported

I HAVE A 2000 FORD TAURUS WAGON THAT MY SPRING SNAPPED AND SITTING ON TOP OF MY TIRE. READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER IT IS SAYING IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAPPEN BEFORE 2005. I FEEL IT SHOULD STILL BE COVERED BY FORD AND I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 AND MY INCOME IS LIMITED. PAYING BETWEEN $600 AND $1500 TO HAVE REPAIRED IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386573
Incident
Mar 5, 2011
Mileage
127,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2011
Fire reported

WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 13 YEAR OLD SISTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, ON THE STREETS,ON CHRISTMAS EVE, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH, I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING AS IF PLASTIC WAS BURNING, I TURNED INTO A SHOPPING CENTER NEARBY, BUT WITH IT BEING CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WAS SO MANY CARS INSIDE THE SMALL STRUCTURED SHOPPING CENTER THAT WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE, I WAS UNCERTAIN IF IT WAS MY CAR SMOKING OR SOMEONE NEXT TO ME. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT OPEN PARKING SPACE, THIS GUY QUICKLY RAN UP TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME TO AND MY SISTER TO GET OUT BECAUSE AS I WAS DRIVING HE SAW FIRE BALLS COMING FROM THE UNDER MY CAR. AT THIS POINT IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS MY CAR SMOKING VERY BADLY, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH IN SECONDS. WE QUICKLY JUMPED OUT LEAVING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT DIDN'T DETERMINE A CONCRETE CAUSE BESIDES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS DRIVING NO KIND OF WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE THERMOSTAT DID NOT READ "OVERHEAT" OR ANYTHING. I HAD LIABILITY ON MY CAR. IT WAS A 2000 FORD TAURUS, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING. IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT GUY THAT RAN UP TO MY CAR AND TOLD ME AND MY SISTER TO GET OUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SEE ANY FLAMES UNTIL I CUT THE CAR OFF. *LN

NHTSA ID
10375222
Incident
Dec 24, 2010
Electrical
Filed Jul 11, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WALKED TO THE BACK OF HIS HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10233970
Incident
Jun 19, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 22, 2007

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2000 FORD TAURUS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10206572
Incident
Oct 13, 2007
Heating & air conditioningElectricalSeat belts+1 more
Filed Sep 26, 2007

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AFTER WORK AND WAS GOING TO PARK MY CAR WHEN I HEARD THIS CRUNCH SOUND. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SITTING LOPSIDED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS. THE DASH LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT ALONG W/THE HEATER. IT NO LONGER BLOWS COLD AIR IT IS ALWAYS HOT AIR AND THE TEMPERATURE IS AT ITS LOWEST. THIS ALL STARTED W/A VACUUM LEAK. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO RETRACTED SLOW AND NOW IT DOESN'T EVEN RETRACT. THIS CAR SEEMS TO HAVE ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND ALL AT ONCE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER CUZ I WANTED HER TO HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE FOR COLLEGE, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TURNING OUT THAT WAY. SHE IS NOW DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HER ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10204214
Incident
Sep 10, 2006
Electrical
Filed Aug 13, 2006
Fire reported

1. WIRE TO ALTERNATOR BURNING SINCE LAST REPAIR-7-26-08 2. REPLACE HARNESS TO CORRECT CONCERN,EXCESSIVE VOLTAGE DROP 3. REPLACE ENGINE COMPARTMENT-COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165347
Incident
Jul 27, 2006
Mileage
31,975 mi
Electrical
Filed May 18, 2006
Fire reported

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2005 AND HAVE $6000 AS A CURRENT BALANCE. ON 05/03/2006 I WAS CRANKING UP MY CAR WHEN IT IGNITED AND CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATION DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM AND REQUESTED THAT THEY REPLACE MY CAR BECAUSE A 2000 FORD TAURUS SHOULD NOT JUST IGNITE ON FIRE FROM CRANKING IT UP, AND THEY DENIED MY REQUEST. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS MATTER OR ARE COMPANIES ALLOWED TO SELL CUSTOMERS DEFECTIVE CARS AND NOTHING BE DONE ABOUT IT. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ON IT SO THE INSURANCE COMPANY COULD NOT ASSIST ME. I INFORMED THE DEALER FROM WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157785
Incident
May 3, 2006
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 26, 2006

2000 FORD TAURUS. VEHICLE HAS CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FROM JANUARY 9TH UNTIL TODAY 02/26/06, CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN 4 TIMES. WON'T START. ALMOST $1,000 LATER AND 4 AAA TOWS, THE CAR WON'T START AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151240
Incident
Feb 25, 2006
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2005
Fire reported

SEPTEMBER 5, 2005 MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND WHEN THE HOOD WAS LIFTED THERE WAS A FIRE. WITHIN SECONDS MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136564
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 31, 2005

2000 FORD TAURUS. DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS AND ALL RUNNING-PARK LIGHTS FAILED. PARKED CAR AND IDLED WHILE TRYING DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT SWITCH POSITIONS. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES, LIGHTING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. DEALER (OF COURSE) COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS NOR CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. FACTORY CUSTOMER SUPPORT WAS CONTACTED, AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE CALL-BACK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135016
Incident
Aug 27, 2005
Mileage
67,361 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 17, 2005

DT: TOOK 2000 FORD TAURUS TO THE MECHANIC FOR SERVICE, AND THEY SAID NEW SPARK PLUGS WERE NEEDED. FORD DEALER REPLACED ANOTHER PART ON THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, WHEN IT GETS UP TO 40-50 MPH IT LURCHES 2 0R 3 TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125629
Incident
Jun 8, 2005
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 17, 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED, THERE WAS NO SOUND. IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, IT WILL NOT START BACK UP AFTER BEING SHUT OFF. *JB

NHTSA ID
10121136
Incident
Feb 5, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 2005
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT WHEN THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. CONSUMER WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE ON FIRE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10109423
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Mileage
38,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2005

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. 2000 ,FORD, TAURUS SEL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. IT HAS BEEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE REGARDING THE ISSUE. TODAY AFTER THE THIRD OCCURRENCE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT I USE A DIFFERENT IGNITION KEY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE - I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS AS A VIABLE SOLUTION TO THE TROUBLE. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES WHILE IN TRAFFIC POWER STEERING/POWER BRAKES, AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS ARE LOST. THE CAR IS A MENACE TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ITS BEHAVIOR CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, AND HAS ONLY 33000 MILES. ALL I WISH IS FOR FORD TO FIX THE CAR, SO THAT IT IS RELIABLE AND NO LONGER A DANGER TO MYSELF AND THE MOTORING PUBLIC.*AK

NHTSA ID
10106795
Incident
May 4, 2004
Mileage
33,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2005
9 injuries reported

2000 FORD TAURUS SEL 24V V-6 CONTINUALLY DIES WHILE IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED PER FORD RECOMMENDATIONS. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE CAR TWICE PRIOR TO CURRENT FAILURE FOR SAME CONDITIONS. RECENT RECOMMENDATION FROM FORD SERVICE PERSONNEL WAS TO 'USE A DIFFERENT IGNITION KEY.' PER RECOMMENDATIONS AND USING A DIFFERENT KEY, CAR CONTINUES TO STALL/DIE WHILE IN TRAFFIC, RENDERING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS INOPERATIVE. IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS SAFE (BY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER'S INABILITY TO REPAIR) TO OPERATE ON PUBLIC MOTORWAYS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL AT [email protected] OR VIA PHONE AT 908/310-4055 (LEAVE VOICE MAIL MESSAGE IF I AM UNABLE TO ANSWER YOUR CALL.) THANK YOU.*AK WILMER F. JOHNSON

NHTSA ID
10105693
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Mileage
33,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 25, 2004

WHEN THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT COMES ON VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR TWO-THREE HOURS. VEHICLE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. DEALER CAN FIND ANY DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10097654
Incident
Oct 25, 2004
Mileage
43,126 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .