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2010 Ford Taurus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Ford Taurus
Pictured: 2010 Ford Taurus Limited 2 -- 10-31-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD, Sel/Limited/Sho 4dr Sedan AWD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
Length
203.1 in
Curb weight
4,017–4,229 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2010 large car (18.5 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Ford Taurus is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 203 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,017 lb (Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 19% better than the 2010 large car average of 18.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2010

  • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
  • Lightest version 373 lb heavier

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Taurus →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,017 lb60/40
Sel/Limited/Sho 4dr Sedan AWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,229 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Taurus FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22+19%$3,050404
Taurus FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21+14%$3,200423
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+8%$3,350444
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+8%$3,350444
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.5 MPG2010 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Ford Taurus under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Ford Taurus (this car)22 MPGNot rated3
2010 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated4
2010 Dodge Charger21 MPGNot rated5
2010 Dodge Challenger20 MPGNot rated6
2010 Chrysler 30019 MPGNot rated6
2010 Toyota Avalon23 MPGNot rated6
2010 Chrysler Sebring24 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · 695 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Structure › Body › Door · Jan 28, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V040000 · 194,889 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.
Risk
If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.
Exterior Lighting · May 29, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V285000 · 183,425 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.
Risk
This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

110Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
96,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering39
Engine24
Power Train12
Unknown Or Other11
Vehicle Speed Control10
Air Bags9
Service Brakes8
Electrical System6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/08: 319/09: 119/10: 219/12: 120/01: 120/03: 120/07: 120/08: 220/10: 320/11: 121/01: 121/03: 121/10: 122/01: 122/04: 122/06: 122/12: 223/07: 124/02: 424/06: 224/09: 125/06: 126/02: 126/07: 219/0819/1220/0720/1121/1022/0624/0225/06max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 39 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Engine — 24 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 12 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 96,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Taurus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Taurus years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Taurus21203.1 in★★★★★218
2018 Taurus21203.1 in★★★★★452
2017 Taurus23203.1 in★★★★★444
2016 Taurus23203.1 inNot rated486
2015 Taurus26203.1 inNot rated6280
2014 Taurus26203.1 inNot rated5225
2013 Taurus25203.1 inNot rated9564
2012 Taurus22203.1 inNot rated561
2011 Taurus22203.1 inNot rated4133
2009 Taurus21202 inNot rated125
2008 Taurus22202 inNot rated1128
2007 Taurus20–Not rated046

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →