2018 Ford Taurus
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan FWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 288 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 27 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
- Modest powerUp to 288 hp, versus about 485 hp for similar 2018 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Ford Taurus is a large car offered with 2 engines (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 21 MPG combined (18 city / 27 highway), 9% worse than the 2018 large car average of 23.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 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 52 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.
What changed for 2018
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 23 to 21
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Taurus →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Chicago, Illinois
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Taurus configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
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 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -9% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Taurus FWD FFV FFV | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -9% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Taurus AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 471 |
| Taurus AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 467 |
| Taurus AWD FFV FFV | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -18% | $3,550 | 467 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Taurus 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 11.3% |
| 2018 Ford Taurus 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 11.3% |


Similar 2018 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Taurus (this car) | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Impala | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Dodge Charger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Dodge Challenger | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | 46 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Chrysler 300 | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Toyota Avalon | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
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 driverâs 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.
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.
Not every 2018 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Back Over Prevention — 12 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Structure — 10 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 52,000 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 2018 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 |
| 2017 Taurus | 23 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 44 |
| 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 →