2018 Ford Taurus Reliability
The 2018 Ford Taurus has 52 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about backup camera / back-over prevention and body structure. Compared with nearby Taurus model years (2016–2019), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Taurus's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
52
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
3
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2018 Ford Taurus complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 model year, filed between 2018 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Backup camera / back-over prevention | 15 | 29% |
| Body structure | 11 | 21% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 15% |
| Suspension | 7 | 13% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 7 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 13% |
| Engine & cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Engine | 3 | 6% |
2018 Ford Taurus recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2018 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V141000 | Mar 1, 2018 | Electrical system — ignition | 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… |
| 20V072000 | Feb 10, 2020 | 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. |
| 25V611000 | Sep 12, 2025 | Body structure — exterior trim | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving. |
| 25V695000 | Oct 14, 2025 | Backup camera / back-over prevention — sensing system / camera | 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… |
How the 2018 compares with nearby Taurus years
Verdicts compare these Taurus model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 87 | 4 | Backup camera / back-over prevention | Caution |
| 2017 | 44 | 4 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2018 (this page) | 52 | 4 | Backup camera / back-over prevention | Solid |
| 2019 | 18 | 2 | Backup camera / back-over prevention | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2018 Ford Taurus
- Backup camera: shift into reverse and make sure the image comes up quickly and clearly every time.
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2018 Ford Taurus can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2018 Ford Taurus reliability FAQ
Is the 2018 Ford Taurus reliable?
The 2018 Ford Taurus has 52 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about backup camera / back-over prevention and body structure. Compared with nearby Taurus model years (2016–2019), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Taurus's typical year.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Taurus problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Taurus are backup camera / back-over prevention (15), body structure (11), unknown or other (8), suspension (7). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2018 Ford Taurus have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Taurus, including 18V141000 (electrical system — ignition) and 20V072000 (suspension — rear). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2018 Ford Taurus compare with the 2017 and 2019 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2017 has 44 complaints and 4 recalls (solid); the 2019 has 18 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2018 has 52 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2018 Ford Taurus?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Taurus research
Other Ford Taurus model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2018 Taurus, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.