NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag may inflate too forcefully during the second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash, potentially causing injury.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls, 202 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Taurus.
20–22 mpg combined
10.7–11.8 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Steering is the standout complaint category for the 2010 Ford Taurus, with owners frequently reporting sudden loss of power steering assist, often accompanied by a "Power Steering Assist Failure" warning on the dash. The failure tends to come on without warning during turns or low-speed maneuvering, leaving the wheel noticeably stiff. Powertrain complaints form the second-largest group, with owners describing a range of issues including hesitation and rough shifting. Engine complaints, the third most-reported system, include recurring check-engine lights, with several owners specifically noting oxygen sensor faults that persist even after the system is checked. The oxygen sensor pattern shows up in multiple reports tied to a service light that won't clear after inspection.
202
Total Complaints
17
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Ford Taurus has 5 recalls, the most serious being a corrosion issue in the exterior lighting wiring that can cause a short circuit and start a fire.
The lighting corrosion issue affects vehicles in states where road salt is commonly used during winter months, and a related filing covers the license plate lamp assembly, where the same salt-driven corrosion can cause high electrical current draw and excessive heat that may lead to a fire as well. On the structural side, the interior door handle return spring can slip out of position, leaving the handle sitting partway out instead of retracting fully. When that happens, the door latch mechanism is more vulnerable in a side-impact crash, and the door can swing open during the collision, raising the risk of injury to anyone seated next to it. Two separate filings cover this door handle defect, both describing the same physical failure. The remaining recall involves the driver's frontal airbag, which can inflate incorrectly during the second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash, meaning the bag does not form the intended cushion shape and may fail to protect the driver as designed.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag may inflate too forcefully during the second stage of deployment in a high-speed crash, potentially causing injury.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag module as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The return spring in the interior door handle can come loose, preventing the handle from returning to its normal position after being pulled. This could cause the door to unlatch during a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the interior handles and repair or replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spring inside the interior door handle may come loose, causing the handle to not snap back to its resting position after you pull it.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect all four door handles and repair or replace them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water enters the license plate lamp assembly, causing corrosion and electrical failure in road-salt areas.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In vehicles used in salt-treated winter areas, road salt can corrode the license plate lamp assembly, causing high electrical current draw, excess heat, or fire risk.
What the fix does
The license plate lamp assembly will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
