Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 374 of 375 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 308 of 375 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Speed control
166 complaint records1 fire report15 crash reports
"THROTTLE CABLE RUBBING AGAINST ENGINE CAUSING GAS PEDAL VIBRATION. OIL FILTER LEAKS ONTO PART OF MUFFLER CAUSING SMOKE NO MATTER HOW TIGHT. *NM..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Power train
74 complaint records5 crash reports
"TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED,DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT,TROUBLE GETTING IT TO SIDE OF ROAD IN TRAFFIC. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
44 complaint records4 fire reports2 crash reports
"CAR HAD NO PICKUP, THEN THE MANIFOLD CAUGHT FIRE. FOUND OUT IT WAS A BAD CAT WHICH CAUSED IT. HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD ASY, SENSOR ASY, EGR VALVE GASKET, EGR SOLENOID. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE12005 opened Mar 2012 | closed Oct 2012 | Vehicle Speed Control | Stuck throttle Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus... |
| DP06005 opened Dec 2006 | closed Dec 2007 | Fuel System, Other | ENGINE STALLING FFV ON OCTOBER 11, 2006, PUBLIC CITIZEN PETITIONED ODI TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLS CAUSED BY E85 FUEL IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 - 2005 FORD TAURUS FLEX-FUEL VEHICLES (FFV). |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V330000 | Seats | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004237 2004-07-09 | Seats And Restraints | 1,549 | On certain vehicles, the power seat track may contain fewer welds than specified between the track recliner bracket and the lower support bracket. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB 20-2233 Jul 2020 | Structure | This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. | |
| TSB 19-2026 Feb 2019 | Structure | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. | |
| SSM 46085 Sep 2016 | Engine | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. | |
| 0607 Dec 2006 | Power Train | EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES WITH HARD START WHEN OPERATING ON E85 FUEL, POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION. WARRANTY EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. SAMPLE CONSUMER LETTER ATTACHED. *KB | |
| 04208 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT |
Show 49 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0655 Jan 2006 | Electrical System | FLEX FUEL - LONG CRANK/HARD START. *TT | |
| 05224 Nov 2005 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | POWER LOCK CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 05227 Nov 2005 | Visibility | POWER WINDOW CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 052218 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK KNOCK, HESITATION ABOVE 3000 RPM, LOSS OF POWER, MISFIRE, AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO DETONATION AND PRE-IGNITION - 3.0L-2V VULCAN GAS/FFV. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 18614 May 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SURGE, IDLE ROLL, ROUGH IDLE ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE COOLING FANS ARE OPERATING. *TT | |
| 18471 Mar 2005 | Equipment | RKE INOPERATIVE. *EH | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 18411 Feb 2005 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0133, P1131 OR P2195. *TT | |
| 04224 Dec 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ACCELERATION PEDAL VIBRATION. *EH UPDATES. *TT | |
| 04251 Dec 2004 | Structure | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 042512 Dec 2004 | Electrical System | NO CRANK - BATTERY DISCHARGED ON 3.0L 4V ENGINE. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04223 Nov 2004 | Visibility | GRUNTING NOISE FROM FRONT POWER WINDOW GLASS IS POWERED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. *EH | |
| 041512 Sep 2004 | Power Train | 4F50N TRANSAXLE NO 1-2 UPSHIFT AND DIAGNOSITC TROUBLE CODE P0732. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 031506 Aug 2004 | Visibility | WATER IN THE BLOWER CASE OR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, AN INOPERATIVE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER MOTOR, A MOTOR THAT OPERATES ON HIGH SPEED ONLY, AND/OR A BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILURE. VEHICLES BUILT 5/1/2001 TO 12/15/2003. *TT | |
| 04158 Aug 2004 | Visibility | WIPER MOTOR CONTINUOUS OPERATION. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 17358 Aug 2004 | Power Train | GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *TT THIS BULLETIN UPDATES PREVIOUS BULLETIN 17358, DATED 11/01/2003 TO INCLUDE 2005 MODELS. *TT | |
| 17960 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0171/P0174, P1131/P1151, AND/OR P2195/P2197 IN CONTINUOUS MEMORY. *TT | |
| 01431 Jul 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COLD ENGINE HARD START/NO START AND/OR SLIGHT SURGING AT IDLE. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300 (MISFIRE). 3.0L 2-VALVE ENGINE (GAS AND FFV). *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17914 Jul 2004 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTINUES TO RUN. *TT | |
| 17867 Jun 2004 | Vehicle Speed Control | VIBRATION IN ACCELERATOR PEDAL 40-42 MPH ON 2004-2005 TAURUS/SABLE MODELS. *TT | |
| 17802 May 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE DETECTED). *TT | |
| 17681 Apr 2004 | Equipment | AUTOLOCKS AND (RKE) REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY INOPERATIVE. *TT | |
| 17682 Apr 2004 | Vehicle Speed Control | VIBRATION IN ACCELERATOR PEDAL 40-42 MPH. *TT | |
| 17692 Apr 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HARD START/NO START COLD AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P2196/P2198. *TT | |
| 17705 Apr 2004 | Equipment | SPEEDOMETER CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17725 Apr 2004 | Wheels | WHEEL COVER NOISE. *TT | |
| 17653 Mar 2004 | Fuel System | FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WITH FUEL IN TANK. *TT | |
| 17551 Feb 2004 | Electrical System | AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1884. *MJ | |
| 0415 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LOWER ENGINE OIL LEAKS 3.0L 2V VULCAN ENGINE. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17480 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NO START/HARD START CONDITION DURING A COLD START. *TT | |
| 17481 Jan 2004 | Power Train | HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING OR DURING TRANSMISSION UPSHIFT. ON 3.0L 2-VALVE ENGINE WITH POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) TEAR TAG PTF3. *TT | |
| 17511 Jan 2004 | Suspension | NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION AREA. *TT | |
| 17512 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | AN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0462 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT LOW) OR P2067 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR B CIRCUIT LOW) CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED REMOTE START SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 0464 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | UNCOMMANDED DECKLID OPENING, DOME-LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CHIME SOUNDING, AND/OR MULTIPLE DOOR AJAR WARNING. *MJ | |
| 041410 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION DUE TO WIRE HARNESS CHAFING. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17225 Sep 2003 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN LOCK DISCONTINUED. *TT | |
| 17234 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM THE FILTER AREA ON VEHICLES WITH A 3.0L 2-VALVE ENGINE. *TT | |
| 05145 | Power Train | ERRATIC FLUID LEVEL READING ON TRANSAXLE DIPSTICK-LEAKS-4F50N, AX4N, AX4S TRANSAXLE. *SC | |
| 051113 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS-3.0L 2V AND FLEX FUEL ENGINE. *SC | |
| 19087 | Electrical System | TENTHS DIGIT NOT DISPLAYED ON ODOMETER AFTER 10,000 MILES/KILOMETERS. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Taurus →