2018 FORD TAURUS Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 FORD TAURUS has 12 complaints and 4 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the backup camera not functioning properly, including blank, blue, or upside-down images while reversing. Several complaints also involve coolant leaks and engine overheating related to water pump failures, as well as a transmission stall accompanied by a warning message.
Common Issues- Backup camera failure. Multiple owners report the rearview camera displaying blank, blue, or upside-down images intermittently or completely failing during reversing.
- Camera safety recall exclusion. Some owners link backup camera problems to safety recalls affecting similar Ford models, but the 2018 Taurus is not included in those recalls.
- Transmission stalling. Vehicle stalls at highway speeds with a "Transmission not in Park(P)" message, but dealers cannot diagnose or replicate the failure. Repairs were not performed.
- Water pump leaks. Owners report excessive coolant leaks due to water pump failure, causing abnormal coolant reservoir drainage without warning lights illuminated.
- Engine overheating. Check engine light and "Engine Overheated" message appear, with water pump failure identified as the cause; no assistance offered by the dealer or manufacturer.
Four recalls have been issued for the 2018 FORD TAURUS affecting the ignition system, transmission gear position, and rear suspension. The recalls address potential safety risks involving vehicle rollaway and rear suspension fractures.
Recalls- Ignition key removal (NHTSA Recall 18V141000). About 2,100 vehicles are affected by a defect allowing key removal while the transmission is not in PARK. The vehicle may roll away if the parking brake is not applied, increasing crash risk. Ford will replace the shifter assembly free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018.
- Transmission gear position indication (NHTSA Recall 18V141000). This recall overlaps with ignition issues affecting the 2,100 vehicles where the key can be removed without the transmission in PARK. The risk and remedy are the same, with dealer replacement of the shifter assembly at no cost.
- Transmission (NHTSA Recall 18V141000). This recall also shares the same NHTSA number and affected vehicles as above, addressing the same defect and fix related to the mechanical key ignition system and transmission position.
- Rear suspension toe link fracture (NHTSA Recall 20V072000). Over 211,000 vehicles, including certain 2013-2018 Taurus models with Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Packs, may experience rear suspension toe link fractures due to stress. This can cause sudden handling changes and increase crash risk. Ford will replace the suspicious parts free of charge once remedy parts become available. Owners were notified in March 2020, and repairs began in October 2020.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs, safety defects, or unresolved recall issues on the 2018 FORD TAURUS may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting an attorney experienced in consumer protection could help clarify available options.
2018 FORD TAURUS Summary
2018
Model Year
12
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
213307
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 FORD TAURUS
211207 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Risk: A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
2018 FORD TAURUS
2100 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2128097UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The backup camera on this 2018 Ford Taurus is faulty. It works intermittently with an image only occasionally being displayed, and often disappearing while backing up. The dealership said it has received many similar complaints for this vehicle.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2128096ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The backup camera on this 2018 Ford Taurus is faulty. It works intermittently with an image only occasionally being displayed, and often disappearing while backing up. The dealership said it has received many similar complaints for this vehicle.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2123550BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera malfunctioned, causing a rear visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. During the failure, there was a solid blue or black screen displayed, without an image displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2118637ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2118636VISIBILITY/WIPER
When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2118635UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I reverse I get a blue screen and or an error message saying “camera is unavailable”. I know there are quite a few fords with a rear camera safety recall however the Taurus limited is not listed but is having the same issue. The fusion is listed which is a very similar car like the Taurus.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2102784ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the message "Engine Overheated" was displayed. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 108,000.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2096956BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the back over prevention camera displayed an upside-down image or a blank image. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2096228BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera displayed an upside down or blank image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the model and VIN were not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2062894ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated upon approaching the vehicle, there was an excessive coolant leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir was draining abnormally fast. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the water pump was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 99,500.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2061730POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the message "Transmission not in Park(P)" was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to operating normally. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle because the message was no longer displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was returned to the same dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
2018 FORD TAURUS
ID: 2052684BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The backup camera on my vehicle does not work. The screen is all white which prevents me from seeing behind the car. Ford had a recall for the same problem on other car models but not for the 2018 Taurus.