Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes 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.
113
Latest Jan 13, 2020
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.
11%
of 1,037 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.
24
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 113 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 brake
The 25 most recent of 113, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER MOTHER WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE DRIVER SHIFTED THE GEARS TO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER BELLINGHAM FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 1820 JAMES ST, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225, (360) 392-7000, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A COMPLAINT (CAS-25346332). THE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS 143,553.
NHTSA ID
11299129
Incident
Jan 4, 2020
Mileage
143,553 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK FORD (1330 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 635-7551), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ID
11172654
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2018
WAS INFORMED BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING, THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTATED COULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK SO INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE SWITCH WHICH WORKED FOR LESS THEN AN HOUR. THINKING IT COULD BE A FUSE CHECKED THE MANUAL LIST OF FUSES AND COULD NOT FIND A LISTING FOR THE FUSE THAT WENT TO THE BRAKE SWITCH SO CHECKED FUSES ONE BY ONE TO SEE IF THEY WERE BAD ALL OKAY. SO I ASSUME THE NEW SWITCH WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER AND THEY ONE DID NOT WORK EITHER. I CAN NOW GET OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHICH IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. I WAS JUST TOLD THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE SOME YEAS BACK BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING MORE IS GOING ON HERE.
NHTSA ID
11099919
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
152,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED REGARDLESS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
NHTSA ID
10910264
Incident
Aug 9, 2016
Mileage
250,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 2016
2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DAMAGES. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10902927
Incident
Jul 31, 2016
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER TO PURCHASE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ID
10882801
Incident
Jun 25, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Oct 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ID
10783006
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
NHTSA ID
10734822
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
132,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2014
2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10651215
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
BrakesTransmission
Filed Sep 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ID
10633567
Incident
Jul 1, 2009
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE THEN SLIGHTLY CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY. A SECOND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ID
10588264
Incident
Oct 11, 2012
Mileage
124,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN AT 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE FRONT WHEELS SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS WET. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE THAT CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A CORRODED BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ID
10513298
Incident
Jan 5, 2013
Mileage
47,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2012
I LOST BRAKING WHEN A CAME TO A HARD STOP. NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OUT BY DRIVER'S DOOR. I FOUND OUT THE BRAKE LINES THAT GO TO THE REAR OF THE CAR RUPTURED. MOST OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE VISIBLE AND ARE IN GOOD SHAPE UNDER THE VEHICLE. PART OF THE BRAKE LINES RISE UNDER A RECESS IN THE UNDERBODY FLOOR. THERE A PLASTIC SHIELD PROTECTS IT FROM THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. IT WAS THERE THAT THE LINES HAD CORRODED BADLY AND RUPTURED. THIS IS LISTED ON SITED ON THE INTERNET AND SHOULD BE WARNED TO ALL TAURUS OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10484735
Incident
Oct 24, 2012
Mileage
177,000 mi
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Jun 26, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported
I HAD AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I WAS HIT MY SEAT BELTS DID NOT FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY, AND THEREFORE I WAS INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10463100
Incident
Oct 11, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 12, 2012
Crash reported2 injuries reported1 death reported
MY PARENTS WERE GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. MY DAD WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH ALL OF HIS STRENGTH BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHERE THEY WERE HIT BY SEVERAL VEHICLES. MY FATHER HAD MULTIPLE SERIOUS INJURIES AND DIED ON AUGUST 10TH OF 2007 AS A RESULT OF THOSE INJURIES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10451270
Incident
Jul 9, 2007
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2011
Crash reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH INTO THE OFF POSITION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE RESUMED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: PEDALS AND LINKAGES). THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE RECALL DEFECT WAS AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/05/11
NHTSA ID
10407487
Incident
Dec 21, 2000
Mileage
20 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAD FAILED AND THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT ROTORS, BRAKES, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10386194
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2010
Crash reported4 injuries reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. FOUR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,512.
NHTSA ID
10364201
Incident
Nov 4, 2010
Mileage
124,512 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 19, 2010
AT A STOP LIGHT, NO CRASH, BUT ALMOST. I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR ENGINE DID NOT WANT TO STOP. THE ENGINE KEPT TRYING TO GO FORWARD, BUT MY HARD BRAKING KEPT IT FROM GOING FORWARD. I HAD TO CHANGE CAR LANES TO PREVENT A CRASH. I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PRESSING HARD. THE CAR ENGINE FINALLY STOP TRYING MOVE FORWARD.. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE WITH THIS CAR SEVERAL TIMES WITH SOME CLOSE CALLS. THIS HAPPENS ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. MY BRAKES ARE IN GOOD SHARP. MAYBE A SENSOR PROBLEM ??? *TR
NHTSA ID
10321024
Incident
Mar 19, 2010
Mileage
118,657 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 24, 2010
ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY CAR WOULD TRY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS IN HITTING SOMEONE OR A CAR. LUCKY I HAD MY FOOT ALREADY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WOULD BRAKE HARD AGAIN, THEN AGAIN SOMETIMES. I STARTED CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD AND I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER LID WAS NOT ON TIGHT. AFTER PLACING THE LID ON TIGHT I HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING OR THE CAR WOULD TRY TO GO FORWARD WHEN I SLAM ON THE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10313575
Incident
Jan 11, 2010
Mileage
117,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2010
LAST NOVEMBER, THE BRAKES ON MY 2001 FORD TAURUS SES UNEXPECTEDLY QUIT WORKING. THE PEDAL WOULD PUSH DOWN NORMALLY, BUT IT WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING. IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN AFTER A FEW SECONDS, AND I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I DECIDED TO TRY TO DRIVE IT HOME. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER, THEY QUIT AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THEY DID NOT COME RIGHT BACK. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP. THE FIRST STATION I TOOK IT TO SPENT A WEEK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO EVENTUALLY FIXED IT. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING WAS TOO TIGHT, BUT I SUSPECT THAT IS JUST FROM THE OTHER STATION TAKING THINGS APART TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT SINCE, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10305248
Incident
Nov 7, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO REMAINED ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND STATIONARY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, SWITCH IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,900.
NHTSA ID
10296576
Incident
Jan 15, 2009
Mileage
99,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2009
2001 FORD TAURUS, LOST BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING (PEDAL TO FLOOR). AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUNNING TO THE REAR OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AT A VERY FAST / HIGH RATE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE CORROSION WAS CAUSE BY (2) PLASTIC GUARDS USED TO PROTECT THE LINES FROM THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE GUARDS HELD WATER, SALT ETC... *TR
NHTSA ID
10289802
Incident
Oct 25, 2009
Mileage
153,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 13, 2009
CAR LOST BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ,SMOKE FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10283830
Incident
Aug 29, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Sep 3, 2009
WHEN HOT (AMBIENT TEMPERATURE), CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM "PARK" UPON STARTING ENGINE. BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE - SAME AS NHTSA RECALL 04V106000. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN "REAR-ENDED" TWICE DURING LAST MONTH. FORD ADVISES THAT MY VIN NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL, BUT SAFETY PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10282780
Incident
Aug 23, 2009
Mileage
125,000 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