KnownCarProblems2016 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Taurus, most often about the backup camera (31% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is 15th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ford Taurus problems
Backup camera
26 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, warnings, rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The rearview camera image was either distorted, upside down, or the image was frozen on the screen. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was unexpectedly turning on and off. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v695000 (back over prevention); however…
Other or unspecified
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles.
On july 27 while driving down the hwy at 75 the car shut off my wife was driving and it scared the h out of her and me I took it out of drive and tried to start it ,I tried three time finally it started. No trouble till yesterday at the airport going up the parking ramp it quit again I was driving I stepped on the…
I took my car into the service department due to a strong smell of propane/natural gas. The service writer informed me that the smell was really bad but that it should be safe to drive and that she couldn't get me in until tuesday. I buckled my 2 year old in the car seat and left the dealership/service department. The…
Engine
14 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Oil leak from turbo line, was showing recall affected 2016 Ford Taurus sho reference 16s463 but when I call dealer and look up VIN my car is not showing to be included. However, I keep getting a burning oil smell and car in shop right now and oil line that goes to one of the turbo charges is leaking and fire hazard.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that water was leaking from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was informed that oil and water had mixed inside the engine due to a defective engine gasket. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign…
Steering
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles.
The power steering on this unit failed making it impossible to steer the vehicle. I was advised that this issued occurred at low speeds and as a result no accident was reported. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership for repairs. Do not have the invoice for this repair at the time of sending this complaint. If…
The power steering on this vehicle locked up making it very difficult to impossible to steer the vehicle. This incident occurred at low speeds but if it had happened at highway speeds their would have been no way to steer the vehicle safely to the side of the road.
Fuel system
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles.
The fuel pump control module failed, rendering the vehicle unable to start, steer, or brake properly. The vehicle was started but not moving. It stalled and was unable to start again. I know this was a known issue for earlier models of the same vehicle. I have repair invoices, but am currently unable to upload them to…
My vehicle's oil lines to the turbo charger failed and caused a huge oil leak and my car was smoking all over the highway. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service station recommended by aaa. After discovering the issue, the repairman indicated there was a recall on this exact issue. However, I was never notified…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: body.
The back passenger side door keeps slipping out of place. The door has difficulties opening as it catches against the front passenger side door and makes a snapping sound. The door has already been fixed twice by the dealership but we were informed that this is a know problem with the newer vehicles and they didn't…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 25v611000 (structure) and 25v695000 (back over prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Electrical
6 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the computer did not recognize the key fob and the "no key detected" indicator illuminated. The vehicle lost power. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, including autonation Ford burleson ([phone], located at 850…
Suspension
5 complaints · 6%I took my car to dean sellers Ford with a premature right rear bearing failure that was covered by the warranty on my 2016 Taurus sho. While at the dealer, I was informed that the toe rear toe link required replacement. On june 12, 2019, Ford media center issued issue a memo "Ford motor company issues four safety…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle became extremely difficult to maneuver and was not turning as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ford Taurus recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on october 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed january 2, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sa9. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall bec
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 flex, 2015 explorer, lincoln mkt, lincoln mkz, 2015-2016 c-max, escape, taurus, 2016 fusion, 2018-2019 taurus, 2019 lincoln mkt, fiesta, and 2020 mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Body and structure: exterior trim
Risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace the b-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 20, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s91.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger b-pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on march 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of september 2020. The recall began october 28, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20s04.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 lincoln mkt and ford flex and taurus vehicles with the police interceptor or sho performance pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on january 31, 2017. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16s46.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 ford taurus, 2016-2017 ford flex, lincoln mkt, 2017 ford explorer and ford explorer police interceptor utility vehicles equipped with 3.5l gtdi engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: backup camera (26 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); other or unspecified (16 complaints, typically around 22,000 miles); engine (14 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ford Taurus have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is 15th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints, with 83 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.