MotorDeets

2006 Ford Taurus: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2006 Ford Taurus: 2 recalls, 318 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
318owner complaints
19mention a crash
20best combined mpg
2006 Ford Taurus
Photo: Cameron Hill · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls 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.

Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #05V520000 · 2005 · 199,942 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor May have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.

Why it matters: After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear May cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 22, 2005.

Electrical Vehicle recall #06V119000 · 2006 · 19 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles built for one specific fleet customer were modified for optional hands-free cellular phone operating capability. To provide this functionality, a special overlay wire harness was installed that inadvertently did not include the circuits for passenger air bag deactivation indicator (padi) lamp function. As a result, these vehicles do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

Why it matters: The padi lamp will fail to illuminate and the air bag warning lamp in the cluster will stay illuminated.

The fix: The fleet customer was notified and all vehicles have been repaired. The recall began on April 28, 2006.

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. 4 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.

Speed control / throttle176
Transmission & drivetrain32
Electrical25
Engine24
Airbags21
Engine & cooling19
Body & structure15
Brakes15

What owners describe

The 2006 Ford Taurus has 318 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 30 Taurus model years for complaints (well below the 563 average). Complaints peaked in 2012 (81 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 86,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (774 complaints, 0 recalls), 2007 (149 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182520Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive172520Gasoline 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 2006 Ford Taurus.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2006 Ford Taurus manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2006 Ford Taurus manual

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FAQ

Does the 2006 Ford Taurus have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2006 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 2006 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (176), transmission & drivetrain (32), electrical (25).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Taurus get?

EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2006 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.

Other Taurus years

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