DecodedCars2017 Ford Taurus
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- 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
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 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), 3% better than the 2017 large car average of 22.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2017
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Taurus →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 203.1 in | 76.4 in | 60.6 in | 113 in | 66.1 / 66.1 in | 4,229 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD | 203.1 in | 76.4 in | 60.6 in | 113 in | 66.1 / 66.1 in | 4,017 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taurus FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | +3% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Taurus FWD FFV FFV | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -6% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Taurus FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -6% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Taurus AWD FFV FFV | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -15% | $3,550 | 467 |
| Taurus AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -15% | $3,550 | 467 |
| Taurus AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -15% | $3,550 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Taurus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 11.3% |
| 2017 Ford Taurus 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 11.3% |
Similar 2017 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Ford Taurus (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Impala | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2017 Dodge Charger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2017 Dodge Challenger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | 46 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2017 Chrysler 300 | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2017 Toyota Avalon | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (4)
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.
Electrical System › Ignition · Mar 1, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V141000 · 2,100 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford Taurus vehicles equipped with mechanical key ignition systems. The keys for these vehicles may be able to be removed from the ignition when transmission is not in the PARK position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- If the key is removed from the ignition while the vehicle is not in the PARK position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C02.
Steering · Aug 28, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V530000 · 253 vehicles
- Problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
- Risk
- If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S23.
Not every 2017 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 9 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure — 6 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Exterior Lighting — 4 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 32,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Taurus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Taurus years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 21 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2018 Taurus | 21 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 52 |
| 2016 Taurus | 23 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 86 |
| 2015 Taurus | 26 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 280 |
| 2014 Taurus | 26 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 225 |
| 2013 Taurus | 25 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 9 | 564 |
| 2012 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 61 |
| 2011 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 133 |
| 2010 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 110 |
| 2009 Taurus | 21 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 25 |
| 2008 Taurus | 22 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 128 |
| 2007 Taurus | 20 | – | Not rated | 0 | 46 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →