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2016 Ford Taurus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Ford Taurus
Pictured: 2010 Ford Taurus Limited 2 -- 10-31-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan FWD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 29 hwy
Length
203.1 in
Curb weight
4,017–4,229 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Ford Taurus is a large car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 203 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,229 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 8% better than the 2016 large car average of 21.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.

What changed for 2016

  • Best combined MPG down from 26 to 23

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Taurus →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan AWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,229 lb60/40
4dr Sedan FWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,017 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 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23+8%$2,900387
Taurus FWD FFV FFV3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-1%$3,200423
Taurus FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-1%$3,200423
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19-10%$3,550473
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-10%$3,550467
Taurus AWD FFV FFV3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-10%$3,550467
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.2 MPG2016 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Ford Taurus.

Similar 2016 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Ford Taurus (this car)23 MPGNot rated4
2016 Chevrolet Impala25 MPGNot rated0
2016 Dodge Charger23 MPGNot rated5
2016 Dodge Challenger23 MPGNot rated1
2016 Chevrolet Malibu46 MPGNot rated10
2016 Chrysler 30023 MPGNot rated2
2016 Toyota Avalon40 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (4)

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Oct 13, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V695000 · 1,448,655 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Structure › Exterior Trim · Sep 12, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V611000 · 101,944 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
Risk
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
Suspension › Rear · Feb 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V072000 · 211,207 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex and Taurus vehicles with the Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Pack. The rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on the rear suspension.
Risk
A fractured rear toe link will cause a sudden change in vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. Owners were notified about the recall on March 3, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts become available, which is currently expected to be the end of September 2020. The recall began October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or Lincoln customer service at 1-800-521-4140. Ford's number for this recall is 20S04.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger · Dec 22, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V925000 · 1,163 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-2017 Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, 2017 Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. Improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak oil on engine components.
Risk
An oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the turbocharger oil supply tubes, free of charge. The recall began on January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S46.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

86Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
60,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Back Over Prevention24
Unknown Or Other16
Engine12
Steering9
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Electrical System6
Suspension5
Service Brakes4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/08: 123/09: 223/11: 124/01: 124/06: 124/12: 125/03: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 425/08: 125/09: 325/10: 125/11: 325/12: 426/01: 826/02: 226/03: 126/04: 226/05: 126/07: 426/08: 226/09: 126/10: 523/0824/0125/0325/0625/1026/0126/0426/08max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Back Over Prevention — 24 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  3. Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Steering — 9 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 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 2016 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
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
2010 Taurus22203.1 inNot rated3110
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 →