2017 Ford Taurus Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2017 Ford Taurus has 46 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 46 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 19.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 15.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 8.7%
ENGINE
4 8.7%
STEERING
3 6.5%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 19.6% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 19 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Ford Taurus
The 2017 Ford Taurus has 46 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 20% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2017 Ford Taurus are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 28 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Ford Taurus?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 19 of 19 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 Reports20% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HAVE A CLICK IN STERLING WHEEL MY DAD BOARD LIGHTS TAKE ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE THEY COME ON THE DASHBOARD
12/21/2018
ELECTRIC PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS TAKE AWHILE BEFORE COMING ON.A POPPING ON THE RIGHT UNDER THE CAR IN THE FRONT .AND A FUNNY NOISE IN THE STEERLING WHEEL WHEN TURNING EITHER WAY.
1/22/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
IN A PARKING LOT I PUT OUR CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD TO PRESS. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM HITTING OTHER CARS.THE FORD DID VERY TESTS AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.
8/11/2017
When backing up my warning displays an upside down image.
7/6/2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HAVE A CLICK IN STERLING WHEEL MY DAD BOARD LIGHTS TAKE ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE THEY COME ON THE DASHBOARD
12/21/2018
ELECTRIC PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS TAKE AWHILE BEFORE COMING ON.A POPPING ON THE RIGHT UNDER THE CAR IN THE FRONT .AND A FUNNY NOISE IN THE STEERLING WHEEL WHEN TURNING EITHER WAY.
1/22/2019
ENGINE
4 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN THE CAR GOT TO ABOUT 55 MPH THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. IT STAYED THERE FOR WHAT FELT LIKE 15 OR MORE SECONDS. THE FIRST TIME WAS BACK IN NOVEMBER. IT HAPPENS IN FEBRUARY AS WELL
3/27/2019
I WAS TRAVELLING ON A FREEWAY ~70MPH IN LEFT HAND LANE. WITHOUT WARNING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. AN ORANGE BOX APPEARED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER SAYING 'TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK'. I SIGNALED INTENTION TO PULL ONTO LEFT HAND SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NO SOUND OR FLASHING FROM THE INDICATOR ARROW LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I BRAKED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO 'PARK' AND DEPRESSED ENGINE START BUTTON. THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE START BUTTON AND THE ENGINE STARTED. ALL CHECK LIGHTS WENT OUT, ENGAGED 'D', WAITED FOR BREAK IN TRAFFIC, INDICATED AND ACCELERATED INTO LEFT HAND LANE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY WANTED ME TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM REPEATED OR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TO ILLUMINATE. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CRITICAL PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THIS PROBLEM REPEATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND FAULT CODES - B11D8:14, U0423:82, U0415:00, U0028:08. THE FAULT CODES WERE CLEARED, AND THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ~70 MILES BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 25, 2019, THE FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, FORD MOTOR COMPANY CANNOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND ANY ISSUE IS NOW BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE DEALER. OVERALL, THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GRAVITY OF THIS ISSUE. THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED SHOULD BE EVEN MORE CONCERNING WHEN, AT RANDOM, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE LOST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOW WALKED AWAY FROM THIS SAFETY CRITICAL ISSUE.
4/25/2019
STEERING
3 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AFTER DRIVING >2 HOURS NON-STOP ON HIGHWAY THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THERE WAS RESISTANCE TO SUBTLE STEERING EFFORTS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WAS STICKING. WHEN ENOUGH STEERING FORCE WAS APPLIED IT WOULD SUDDENLY RESPOND. BECAUSE OF THE FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD OVER STEER. AFTER THE UNIT COOLED DOWN OVER NIGHT THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE 19K MILES ON THE UNIT. BOTH TIMES THE UNIT WAS DRIVEN >2 HOURS BEFORE THE SYMPTOMS STARTED.
5/9/2018
HAVE A CLICK IN STERLING WHEEL MY DAD BOARD LIGHTS TAKE ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE THEY COME ON THE DASHBOARD
12/21/2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ELECTRIC PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS TAKE AWHILE BEFORE COMING ON.A POPPING ON THE RIGHT UNDER THE CAR IN THE FRONT .AND A FUNNY NOISE IN THE STEERLING WHEEL WHEN TURNING EITHER WAY.
1/22/2019
I CAN HEAR THE GAS SLOSHING AROUND IN MY GAS TANK WHILE I'M DRIVING MY CAR IS THIS A NORMAL FUNCTION
1/19/2020
SUSPENSION
3 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact had taken the vehicle to an unknown dealer for an oil change and the contact was informed that all four tires showed significant tread wear and needed to be replaced. An alignment check was also performed on the vehicle and it was discovered that the rear tires were out of alignment. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 17,202.
9/7/2021
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH, she noticed that there was a change in the rear suspension and it felt like a rear tire was deflated. No warning lights had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side and passenger's side suspension toe links had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,102.
3/20/2024
STRUCTURE
2 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for rear wheel alignment. The contact stated that rear toe link fractured during the rear alignment process. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,576.
10/16/2023
The contact's husband owned a 2017 Ford Taurus. The owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V611000 (Structure) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because her husband no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer was contacted.
9/24/2025
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
AS I WAS ABOUT TO DEPART MY HOME I ADJUSTED THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL WHEN I PRESSED BRAKES TO START CAR PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I STARTED AND TRIED AGAIN SAME RESULTS. RELEASED HOOD TO CHECK ISSUE AND NOTED A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER CAR. LUCKILY THIS HAPPEN BEFORE DEPARTURE AS I WOULD HAVE BE TAKE THE EXPRESSWAY SHORTLY. SOUTHGATE FORD WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE BROKEN LINE AND SAID THAT IT NEED TO GO TO FORD SINCE THIS WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE.
5/4/2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. SUNNY KING FORD (1507 S QUINTARD AVE, ANNISTON, AL) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
7/17/2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE TOO DIM TO READ WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HART FORD LINCOLN (117 LAKE ST, ROSCOMMON, MI 48653, (989) 275-8922) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER STATED THAT FORD CHANGED THE BACKGROUND COLOR OF THE GAUGES, WHICH MADE THEM DIFFICULT TO READ. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.
8/16/2018
AIR BAGS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,600.
2/20/2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I WAS TRAVELLING ON A FREEWAY ~70MPH IN LEFT HAND LANE. WITHOUT WARNING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. AN ORANGE BOX APPEARED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SPEEDOMETER SAYING 'TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK'. I SIGNALED INTENTION TO PULL ONTO LEFT HAND SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS NO SOUND OR FLASHING FROM THE INDICATOR ARROW LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I BRAKED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO 'PARK' AND DEPRESSED ENGINE START BUTTON. THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE START BUTTON AND THE ENGINE STARTED. ALL CHECK LIGHTS WENT OUT, ENGAGED 'D', WAITED FOR BREAK IN TRAFFIC, INDICATED AND ACCELERATED INTO LEFT HAND LANE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY WANTED ME TO WAIT UNTIL THE PROBLEM REPEATED OR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TO ILLUMINATE. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CRITICAL PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THIS PROBLEM REPEATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND FAULT CODES - B11D8:14, U0423:82, U0415:00, U0028:08. THE FAULT CODES WERE CLEARED, AND THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ~70 MILES BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 25, 2019, THE FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, FORD MOTOR COMPANY CANNOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND ANY ISSUE IS NOW BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE DEALER. OVERALL, THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GRAVITY OF THIS ISSUE. THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED SHOULD BE EVEN MORE CONCERNING WHEN, AT RANDOM, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE LOST. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOW WALKED AWAY FROM THIS SAFETY CRITICAL ISSUE.
4/25/2019
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the keypad lock detached from the driverâs side door. The contact also stated that whenever it rained, he was not able to enter the vehicle using the keypad lock. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the keypad lock needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to a local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
7/13/2021
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was a fluid leak seen underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.
3/29/2023
POWER TRAIN
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, she inadvertently removed the key from the ignition while the vehicle was still in drive. The vehicle began to roll, and the contact realized that she had forgotten to shift the vehicle into park. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V141000 (Electrical System, Power Train), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 48,000.
9/19/2023
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering wheel clock spring was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 99,000.
10/22/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the rearview camera was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
10/23/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
1 Report2% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
When backing, the rear cameras are intermittently showing objects upside down and fuzzy making it difficult to decipher and recognize objects at the rear of the car, and frequently does not display anything on the in-dash screen, but instead saying the system isn't available. Sometimes the weather conditions seem to be sunny and sometimes raining and at other times it seems like it could be night lighting in the immediate vicinity, but mostly it seems like it's happening during what would be considered just normal weather conditions.
11/16/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Taurus?
Are complaints about the 2017 Ford Taurus a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Ford Taurus?
Are complaints about the 2017 Ford Taurus severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Ford Taurus: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 46
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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