BestCarRank
Ford

2016 Ford TAURUS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ford TAURUS has 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 251. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the rear back up camera has stopped working properly and most of the time it's not working at all making it a safety risk maneuvering in reverse when children or other pedestrians are around.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 6 crash reports 4 injuries

97

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

24 complaints
25%
  • The rear back up camera has stopped working properly and most of the time it's not working at all making it a safety risk maneuvering in reverse when children or other pedestrians are around.
  • I turned left after stopping at a four-way stop sign intersection. I crashed into a parked car waiting its turn but I did not see until I was upon it and it was too late to swerve away. My car's air bags inflated. My wrist was broken. My car was declared totaled by my insurer although I could not ha
  • I was backing up in a parking lot when the backup camera suddenly inverted and I nearly ran over a small child. It now only works about 40% of the time and usually the image is inverted or scrambled. This is dangerous. I think Ford should fix it since apparently they have approved a recall on othe
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

The rear back up camera has stopped working properly and most of the time it's not working at all making it a safety risk maneuvering in reverse when children or other pedestrians are around.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ford TAURUS

Based on 57 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
17
30-60K
14
60-100K
18
100-150K
8
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

Earlier than typicalmedian 22K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 45K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
5
60-100K
7
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 113K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER22/12/2016

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Ford TAURUS

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ford TAURUS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,390
Full coverage / month
$116
Liability only / year
$574
vs US avg
-17%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1390

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford TAURUS Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2016 TAURUS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 97 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The rear back up camera has stopped working properly and most of the time it's not working at all making it a safety risk maneuvering in reverse when children or other pedestrians are around.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: PROBLEMS OCCURRED 2X - 07/16TH AND 07/18/2016 - WHILE TRAVEL AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 70MPH, ACCELERATION CEASED - CHECK ENGINE, AIRBAG AND SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON, HAVE TO PULL OVER, SHUT-OFF THE ENGINE, RESTART, DRIVE FOR 1 MORE PROBLEMS REOCCUR AGAIN. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER WITH CHECK ENGINE L

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THIS NEW 2016 TAURUS SHO HAS A STRONG FUEL, OIL OR CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS WITH OR WITHOUT THE AC RUNNING. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG THAT I MUST DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. OF COURSE, WHEN IT IS RAINING, I MUST BREATHE IN THE FUMES BECAUSE THE WINDOWS AR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • STEERING: 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.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
97
Recalls
4
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
6
Injury reports
4
Segment avg
251

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Ford TAURUS