RoadVitals

2004 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.
17
Latest Jun 26, 2015
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 375 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.
1
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 2004 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 26, 2015
Fire reported

DROVE CAR ABOUT 4 MILES. NO PROBLEMS. WHEN PARKED IT WAS SMOKING REAL BAD UNDER HOOD THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIREMAN SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL. IT GAVE NO WARNING. AS I LOOKED ON THIS WEBSITE I HAVE SEEN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. NOW WHAT WILL FORD DO ABOUT THAT? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THANK GOD I WASN'T.

NHTSA ID
10730702
Incident
Jun 22, 2015
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 29, 2015

WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE, THE DOOR LATCH BECOMES STUCK AND THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AND CLOSE PROPERLY AND THE DOOR FLIES OPEN. THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WILL DO THE SAME THING. SO YOU HAVE TO DRIVE HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL THE DOOR LATCH/SENSOR DECIDES TO UNFREEZE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU MAY THINK THE DOOR IS SHUT BECAUSE THE SENSOR LIGHT GOES OFF AND THEN YOU START TO DRIVE AND THE DOOR FLIES OPEN. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE, SEVERAL MODEL YEARS FROM 1997 AND UP OF THE TAURUS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING AS WELL AS THE MERCURY SABLE AND A FEW OTHER OLDER FORD MODELS. I JUST READ ONLINE THAT THEY RECALLED 2010-2013 FOR DOOR LATCH ISSUES. PLEASE MAKE THEM EXTEND THE RECALL FOR OLDER FORD TAURUS BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES OR GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679633
Incident
Jan 26, 2015
Mileage
182,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A LARGE HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. ALSO, THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OF REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ID
10648853
Incident
Oct 18, 2014
Mileage
174,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2014

I OWN A 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL STATION WAGON. THE PASSENGER FLOOR HAS RUSTED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE OVER TIME WATER HAS LEAKED IN THROUGH A FITTING WHERE CLIMATE CONTROL PIPES ENTER THROUGH THE FIREWALL. THE SUSPENSION MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER ALSO HAS A LOT OF RUST AND WILL PROBABLY FAIL IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO. THIS SUSPENSION MOUNT IN THE SAME AREA WHERE THE WATER HAD BEEN SITTING DUE TO THE FIREWALL LEAKAGE. I LOOKED FOR ANY RECALLS FOR 2004 AND COULD NOT FIND ANY. I DID SEE A SIMILAR RECALL FOR OLDER TAURUS' FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN A GARGAGE, SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. NOT ABUSED IN ANY WAY. SINCE THIS IS AND WILL BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE, I WANTED TO GET YOUR OPINION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SINCE OLD TAURUS' ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME BODY/CHASSIS. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, THE FIRST OWNERS WERE MY PARENTS SO WE KNOW THE VEHICLE HISTORY. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED BY FORD? I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640713
Incident
Aug 10, 2014
Mileage
39,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 18, 2012

I HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED I THOUGHT IN JULY 2007 AND IT LASTED FOR A WHILE, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THEY AGAIN SAID THEY FIXED IT, WELL IT IS LEAKING WATER STILL AND FILLS UP THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ANY TIME IT RAINS, I NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED PERMANENTLY AS I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, BEAVERTON FORD HAS BEEN THE ONE THAT HAS REPAIRED IT BOTH TIMES, BUT I FELL IF IT WAS FIXED RIGHT IT STILL WOULD NOT BE LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10481026
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Mileage
38,264 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 18, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING SO THAT IT WOULD NOT FLING OPEN. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN GREASED THE DOOR LATCH AND APPLIED SILICONE SPRAY BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID
10436379
Incident
Dec 21, 2009
Mileage
52,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 14, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ UPDATED 03/03/11

NHTSA ID
10370540
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Oct 8, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE SEALS OF THE WINDSHIELD YET, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002-2003 MODELS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V087000-VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD) BUT NOT FOR HIS PARTICULAR YEAR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WATER ALSO DRIPPED ON THE BLOWER MOTOR WHICH COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE FIRE. UPDATED 03/02/11

NHTSA ID
10359629
Incident
Oct 2, 2010
Mileage
63,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 25, 2008

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2008 FROM LASCO FORD IN FENTON MI. I STARTED TO NOTICE WHEN IT RAINED HARD OR I WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WAS WET IN THE FRONT SEAT AREA. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT RIGHT AWAY UNTIL A BAG I HAD ON THE FLOOR GOT SOAKED. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM THROUGH GOOGLE AND GOT A BLOG OF TAURUS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 2002-2003 TAURUSES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2004. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 03V087000 AND ALSO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR MY MODEL YEAR 2004 WITH THE NUMBER 031506 AND NHTSA NUMBER 10011149. THERE IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT FILED UNDER NUMBER 10184414. FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND I THINK FORD SHOULD CORRECT IT. THEY REPLACED COWL TOP TRIM AND INSTALLED A WATER SHIELD ON THE FRESH AIR INLET. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL WORK OR NOT. THE SERVICE MANAGER DARREN STATED IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235816
Incident
Jul 21, 2008
Mileage
53,443 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 1, 2008

WATER COLLECTING IN FLOORBOARD OF MY 2004 FORD TAURUS AFTER HEAVY RAIN/CARWASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229435
Incident
May 15, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. PUDDLE'S OF WATER ACCUMULATE ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN IT RAINS. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63639. UPDATED 06/04/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/04/08.

NHTSA ID
10226733
Incident
Apr 24, 2008
Mileage
63,639 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 5, 2008

MY FORD TAURUS SHUT-OFF BLOWING HEAT THROUGH THE FAN AND ESSENTIALLY, I DO NOT HAVE ANY HEAT IN THE CAR. I TOOK TO A DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT WATER LEAKED THROUGH COWL PANEL CAUSING FAILURE OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND / OR RESISTOR. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT COWL IS NOT EVEN A PART AND THEREFORE IS NOT COVERED AND SINCE WATER LEAK CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL, THAT PART ALSO IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE LOOKED THROUGH THE TSB'S THAT FORD PUBLISHED, THAT SAID THAT THIS DEFECT IS COVERED IN BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THIS TELLS ME THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGERS THAT THEIR IS PROBLEM WITH THE BODY PARTS OF THE CARS, BUT IS NOT AGREEING TO REPAIR WITHOUT COST. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A $763 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TOGETHER TO FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT FORD STEPS UP AND TAKES CARE OF CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223422
Incident
Mar 30, 2008
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 20, 2008

WATER LEAKING INTO CABIN, WATER LEAKING INTO BLOWER MOTOR HOUSING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221900
Incident
Jan 12, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Oct 27, 2007

FORD TAURUS 2004. AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF A HEAVY RAIN I FOUND A PUDDLE OF WATER INFRONT OF THE PASSENGER'S SEAT - UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. LIFTED THE RUG - JUST TO FIND THE UNDER-PADDING IS GREENOSH-BLACK AND THERE IS A TRAIL OF LEAK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME - BUT OBVIOUSLY -IT SHOWED NOW AFTER A VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOUND SEVERAL DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THE INTERNET WHERE _MANY_ FORD OWNERS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME THING. BASED ON THE WORK THEY HAD DONE AT SERVICE CENTERS - IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING ERROR. HOWEVER, A RECALL WAS NEVER ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. FIXING THE PROBLEM GOES FROM 150U$ TO 400U$- DEPENDING ON SEVERITY, DAMAGE, CAR MODEL AND AGE. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE BUSINESS APPROACH ON THE FORD;S PART (AND ALL OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS WHO ARE OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM - BUT ARE STILL QUIETLY SELLING LEMONS). *TR

NHTSA ID
10207062
Incident
Oct 7, 2007
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Oct 11, 2006

WATER LEAKING ON PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD CAUSING FAILURE OF DEFOGGER BLOWER FAN. WAS NOT COVERED BY BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN EXISTING PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170480
Incident
Aug 28, 2006
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 11, 2006

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE GASKETS THAT HOLD THE WINDSHIELD WERE SEVERED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10147475
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 4, 2005

WE BOUGHT A 2004 FORD TAURUS SE FROM NISSAN AT THE AVENUES AND THE VERY NEXT DAY WE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINS A LOT OF WATER COMES UNDER THE DASH BOARD BY THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10138500
Incident
Aug 15, 2005

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 .