2004 Ford Taurus: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Ford Taurus: 1 recall, 375 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #04V330000 · 2004 · 24,277 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats May have been inadequately welded.
Why it matters: The seat May not perform as intended during a crash which could increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the upper support assembly on the power seats. The recall began on July 20, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #16E026000 · 2016 · 49,635 vehicles
What's wrong: These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury sable, 1995-1999 Ford taurus sho, 1995-2002 Lincoln continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln mark viii vehicles. The brake pad shim May shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Why it matters: A damaged or broken brake disc May reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 13 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (164): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (40).
- Transmission & drivetrain (72): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (22), warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (8).
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), fire / smoke (5), door / lock issues (4).
- Engine (25): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3).
The 2004 Ford Taurus has 375 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 30 Taurus model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 563). Complaints peaked in 2012 (89 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 94,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (1223 complaints, 3 recalls), 2005 (774 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Ford Taurus.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2004 Ford Taurus, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Taurus problems?
Owners have filed 375 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (164), transmission & drivetrain (72), electrical (26).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Taurus get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Ford Taurus repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.