The Ford Taurus is one of those cars that perform well in almost any aspect that you can think of. Whether it’s great gas mileage, retaining its value, low costs of ownership, and plenty more. That said the 2013 Ford Taurus problems can put a dent in your bank account if you are not very careful.
But that aside, the Ford Taurus is known to be a durable car that will last well over 200,000 miles under good maintenance and careful driving.
That said, just like with any other car model. The Ford Taurus will also come with its fair share of issues. This could lower the quality of driving and thus the ride comfort.
Let’s take a closer look at the Ford Taurus 2013 model and some common problems that you can expect to deal with.
For easier navigation throughout pour post, feel free to use our table of contents below.
- 2013 Ford Taurus
- Ford Taurus Reliability
- Water Pump Recall
- Ford Taurus Problems
- 2013 Ford Taurus Engine
- Frequently Asked Questions
2013 Ford Taurus
The 2013 Ford Taurus is true to its model boasting excellent driving and great fuel efficiency. That said, it also comes with the two most known issues with the Ford Taurus as well as an extra issue that popped up with the 2013 model.
But first, before talking about the 2013 Ford Taurus problems, let’s talk about the great things about the 2013 Ford Taurus. First off the powertrain. The 2013 model came with a four-cylinder engine just like the previous models but this time it featured a turbocharger.
The Powertrain
That said the turbo option was only available in the front-wheel drive trim, as well as the Limited, SE, and SEL trims. If you wanted a larger engine then you may have perhaps considered the Taurus SHO which came with a turbocharged V6.
Keep in mind that Ford will market both the four-cylinder and the 6 cylinder turbocharged engines with the name EcoBoost. With the V6 option, you get the option of all-wheel drive.
Whichever the engine option, you are going to experience real power. With the 4-cylinder turbocharged engine for instance you get a powertrain that offers great power and repose to the accelerator.
This one can do 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The 2013 Ford Taurus is up there with the best of them when it comes to fuel-efficient engines. Clearly much more efficient than some Mustangs.
If it’s more power and performance you are after, there is the 288 horsepower V6 engine. This one saw a boost of up to 25 more horsepower compared to the previous year’s model. You are bound to feel the power of that V6 when sitting behind the wheel.
The front wheel trim will weigh 214 pounds less than the AWD version of the Ford Taurus. This on paper means greater acceleration from a standstill.
The Transmission
Both the 4-cylinder and the 6-cylinder engines are connected to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. But there is an issue with the transmission that we should probably point out at this point.
When taking corners the transmission will hold onto higher gears, this will delay the downshifts needed until perhaps it feels too late. When going up high roads, the downshifts jump through gears.
If you pressed the gas pedal you will notice that the transmission will jump down several steps via several gears. Even if you were to select the sport mode, this issue still persists.
A Side-By-Side Comparison
But how about the Ford Tauris SHO performance when you compare it to other 4-cylinder engines? Well, the reaction of the automatic transmissions feels much quicker. You will notice that there are fewer indecisions and the gear shifts are faster.
When the turbocharged V-6 starts off from a standing stop, you may be forgiven to think that you have a V8 under the hood. The 2013 model is sure to impress.
The Ford Taurus SHO has an overall weight of 4342 pounds. It is heavier than some of the competitors in the markets such as Toyota, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and even Nissan. Heavy as it is, there is no denying that it is very quick on its wheels.
Comparing the 2013 Ford Taurus with other sedans, this model offers excellent ride quality. Since the SHO comes with a sports-tuned suspension, the driver may notice some bumps when driving slow but when at a higher speed the cabin is isolated to provide a uniquely comfortable ride.
A Comfortable Drive
Furthermore, with the 2013 Ford Taurus performance package, you will also get much firmer springs as well as shocks. The steering system is tuned and it comes with an updated cooling system. For even better acceleration, the Ford Taurus 2013 SHO features a 3.16:1 drive ratio. That said this also results in noticeably lower gas mileage.
Sure you may not get the same level of drive comfort with the performance package or with say a Tesla, but remember this package is meant for those who would take the car for a drive at the track and see what it can do.
The 2013 Ford Taurus has a chassis that is nicely balanced and offers great steering and maneuverability. Plus it has excellent brakes.
When it comes to cruising on the highway, the Ford Taurus performs remarkably well but the one thing that you are likely to notice is the body roll. This one is a bit too much when driving on winding can curvy roads. The steering may also feel slow during the initial turn-in.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems
Do you recall what we said about the 2013 Ford Taurus problems and that it still retains two major issues plus an extra third main issue? First off let’s talk about the size of the Taurus.
This is quite the long car being even longer than the Dodge Charger. It features a larger trunk and the space in the back seats feel comfortable.
A Couple Of Issues
That said, the passenger volume especially at the front of the car feels a bit undersized. The doors are thick and the center console is large and gets in the way of the knee and hip room. But the good thing is that there is sufficient padding at the center control.
There is also the issue of visibility. The pillars are quite thick and the rear head restraints get in the way. The roof line feels quite low which prevents passengers from getting a comfortable all-round view of the outside. The strange thing is that this was not really an issue with the previous year’s model.
Thirdly there is the issue of the MyFord Touch. This one isn’t as responsive and there are many car owners who would have still professed the physical controls of the previous models as they were much faster to engage.
The issue is that it gets easy to press the wrong buttons and find yourself having tampered with the climate control and the seat heater icons. The Ford Taurus competitors including the Dodge Charger while coming with an even more responsive touch screen could also come with physical controls and knobs.
Granted the MyFord Touch has improved significantly compared to previous model years. However, other Ford models still come with some physical controls and knobs for an even better driving experience.
That said if this is not for you, then you can, always choose the Ford Taurus SE and the SEL trims. Furthermore, the top-tier models will feature MyFord Touch.
Safety And Pricing
The 2013 Ford Taurus received top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety after their crash tests on the model. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gave the 2013 Ford Taurus 5 out of 5 ratings after the side crash tests.
The 2013 Ford Taurus features side airbags for head safety, antilock brakes, and an electronic stability system. There is also the Curve Control by Ford which is designed to brake more wheels even more than the stability system. This will help slow down the vehicle in case you are cornered too fast.
There is also adaptive cruise control, as well as collision warming. Furthermore, you also get a blind spot warning and a lane departure system.
How About Reliability
As far as reliability goes, the Ford Taurus 2013 model front-wheel drive has average ratings as well as blew average for the front-wheel drive models. It’s important to also note at this point that the MyFord Touch has also had a huge role to play with the low-reliability scores of the Ford Taurus.
But how much can you expect to pay for the 2013 Ford Taurus model?
Well, the 2013 Ford Taurus will set you back $27,500 inclusive of the destination charge. This price is around the same as the Charger and the Impala. However, the price is also considerably cheaper than Japanese models. For the price, you get power seats for the driver, a CD stereo as well as controls on the steering wheel.
You don’t get the same plush feel as you would in a Buick. If you want to add seat options such as heated leather seats, navigation as well as a powered passenger seat, Bluetooth, and self-parking, you may want to consider the Ford Taurus SHO which will cost you around $45,000.
That said, more and more people are losing their taste in full-sized sedans as more car buyers move towards family cars. The Ford Fusion for instance was three times more popular than the Ford Taurus.
And the reason for this is quite simple. Family cars could average mid-30 mpg on the highway. They also come with plenty of interior space. Put these two together and it’s clear why more people are going for the family cars.
Sure the Ford Taurus has plenty of trunk space, great power, and ride comfort. However, its downsides could cause it to continue to lose popularity for the family cars
Ford Taurus Reliability
As we saw earlier the Ford Taurus gets above-average reliability with the majority of major ratings. RepairPal for one gave it 4.0 out of 5 which saw it rank number 6 out of 12 vehicles. It has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $697. This is higher than that of the three vehicles in the niche at $590.
The Ford Taurus has fewer unscheduled repairs compared to the competitors. While the average is 0.3 unscheduled repairs, the Ford Taurus boasts a good 0.2. Even better is that the severity of the Taurus repairs is much lower than the other sedans on the market.
2013 Ford Taurus Water Pump Recall
Many Ford Taurus owners have been expecting that Ford will issue a recall for the water pump. However, Ford still hasn’t made a water pump recall since September 2020. This has left many customers wondering why.
Sure Ford may decide to issue a recall for the water pumps in theater future but codifying how long they have taken to issue the recall, seems unlikely.
The vast majority of consumer complaints about the water pumps have to do with not getting a new water pump that is able to function properly as well as how often the water pump is damaged and fails.
Why The Water Pump Is Important
One thing to note is that the water pump is a highly important part of the engine and allows the engine coolant to keep circulating through the engine as it runs. It also helps to maintain optimum temperatures and without it, the engine will damage easily.
A faulty water pump could allow the coolant to leak which would then bring about the issues we’ve mentioned above and result in total engine failure.
That said, in case you notice that the water pump has been damaged it is a good idea to replace it with a top-quality water pump. This can be expected to last over 100,000 miles.
Sure you can always access water pumps that are much cheaper. But this will have a shorter lifespan and may only last just 30,000 miles.
Ford Taurus Problems
The Ford Taurus is one of those models that has a sizeable following with plenty of popularity among car owners. The car comes with sufficient space to carry your entire family, has an excellent fuel effect, and is a proper daily driver.
There is no denying that this is a highly popular car. That said, the Ford Taurus is not short of issues and comes with its fair share. Let’s find out about the common 2013 Ford Taurus problems.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems #1 – Faulty Headlights
There is a larger number of Ford Taurus owners who have complained about the headlights failing to work.
If you notice that your Ford Taurus comes has headlights that are malfunctioning it is always a good idea to take it to a professional for a look. This issue is common with up to 12 model years from the early 2000s all the way to the mid-2000s.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems #2 – Issues With The Camshaft Sensor Magnet
This issue affected the synchronizers. If the magnet that is part of the camshaft position sensor is dislodged this can result in synchronization issues.
You will then likely notice that the crank times have increased whenever you are straying the engine. At this point, you will need to completely replace the magnets.
This was another quite common issue with Ford Taurus models from 1995 all the way to 2010. They were also common with the V6 engine.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems #3 – Engine Stalling During Acceleration
It is not uncommon for cars to have a hard start when the temperatures are extremely low. That said owners of the Ford Taurus who often complained about the difficulty in starting their vehicles would also say that they experienced stalling when the vehicle was idling.
More so, they would report hesitations when the vehicle is accelerating.
Once you notice such stalling, it is possible that there are issues with the idle air pass valve. Its role is to ensure that the vehicle idles steadily whenever it is at a standstill. It is an issue that was common for over 13 model years.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems #4 – Engine Misfire And Buck At Higher Speeds
It can be quite a frightening experience when you are cruising on the highways and suddenly the engine starts to misfire and buck. This issue is so common as it is the second most reported problem with the Ford Taurus.
That said, there was also the issue, not just the engine bulking or misfiring but also a lack of fault codes in the car’s control module.
There are some drivers who say that the issue is caused by the 2013 Ford Taurus problems with the camshaft synchronizer assembly. Some suggestions are that the issue can be resolved by fixing the knock sensor. That said, to be able to do this you will need to completely replace the synchronizer assembly.
The problem was so common that well over 18 models years and the issue.
2013 Ford Taurus Problems #5 – Engine Oil Leaking From The Pan Gasket
This is the number one issue with the Ford Taurus. Engine oil often leaks from the pan gasket. Sure this comes come across as a major issue, but the number of Ford Taurus owners who complained about a burning smell coming from the engine was more than all the other issues combined.
Just replacing an oil pan gasket can set you back $300. Combine this with the 2013 Ford Taurus problems reoccurring and you have a major issue that can be quite a nuisance.
This is a problem that has affected more than 20 Ford Taurus model years and all across the different engine configurations.
Sure whenever you want to buy a used vehicle, the Ford Taurus is definitely worth checking out. That said, always get a history report of the car and see if there have been any fixes to these common issues. This is a great way to find out about the overall condition of the car.
Getting a higher mileage sedan can help save you plenty of hassle since you will be aware of the 2013 Ford Taurus problems that you are likely going to be dealing with.
2013 Ford Taurus Engine
The 2013 Ford Taurus comes standard with the 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 288 horsepower. This is an extra 325 horsepower than the previous medal year. According to various reviews, the engine is definitely a great match for the Ford Taurus.
The vehicle’s engine connects to a six-speed automatic transmission. The strange thing is that different reviewers give the transmission different ratings. While there are those that claim that the transmission feels smooth others will say that the transmission often struggles to shift gears.
The engine on the Ford Taurus can do 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway when talking the front-wheel drive model. The all-wheel drive can do 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Compared to the previous model years, the 2013 Ford Taurus performs better with fuel efficiency. You also get a turbocharged 2.0-liter option that produces 240 horsepower. This engine can do 22mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
But if you want even more power from your vehicle, you may want to consider the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO which features a turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 that is capable of producing 365 horsepower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ford Taurus Good Cars
Many people often wonder if Ford Taurus are reliable. Repairpal for instance gave the Ford Taurus a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and ranked the model 6 out of 12 vehicles. It also has an average annual repair cost of $697 which is above the $590 average.
How Long Do Ford Taurus Last
A Ford Taurus can be expected to last up to 20 years when driven on moderate roads that are salt-free. Mileage-wise, the Ford Taurus can last over 200,000 miles under proper maintenance and driving.
Do Ford Taurus Have Transmission Problems
Yes, the Ford Taurus is known to have transmission issues. One of the more common 2013 Ford Taurus problems includes a jerk or bang when shifting the transmission from neutral to drive. This issue needs to be fixed promptly or it could lead to more problems down the road.
