Ford began manufacturing the Ford Taurus in 1985 for the 1986 model year.
The company produced six generations of the Taurus over a 34-year span and has crossed the 2.5 million mark in total sales.
In 2018, Ford decided to discontinue the production of the Taurus with a final rollout on March 1, 2019.
While the Taurus may have been discontinued, we understand there are people out there who still want a taste of it. This is why we have taken the liberty to gather detailed stats about the Ford Taurus. Let’s dive right in.
Table of Contents
How Many Ford Taurus Have Been Sold Per Year in the U.S.?
The Ford Taurus had a rough sales history, peaking at strong six figures from the late 90s to the early 2000s.
However, it began dipping in 2007 and maintained five-figure numbers until the Taurus’ final years.
Below is a table containing accurate sales figures of the Ford Taurus over a twenty-year span:
Year | Ford Taurus (Sales) | Police Interceptors (Sales) |
1999 | 368,327 | |
2000 | 382,035 | |
2001 | 353,560 | |
2002 | 332,690 | |
2003 | 300,496 | |
2004 | 248,148 | |
2005 | 196,919 | |
2006 | 174,803 | |
2007 | 68,178 | |
2008 | 52,667 | |
2009 | 45,617 | |
2010 | 68,859 | |
2011 | 63,526 | |
2012 | 66,066 | 8,309 |
2013 | 69,063 | 10,897 |
2014 | 52,395 | 10,234 |
2015 | 39,051 | 9,765 |
2016 | 34,626 | 9,472 |
2017 | 33,242 | 7,994 |
2018 | 28,706 | 7,382 |
2019 | 9,924 | 3,427 |
Total | 2,988,898 | 67,480 |
The figures above show that the Ford Taurus finished with sales of almost three million. It crosses the three million mark when you add total sales of the police interceptors beginning from 2012.
We also have an article for you if you’re looking for the best and worst years for Ford Taurus.
Ford’s decision to discontinue the Ford Taurus was a business move based on the growing preference for SUVs and crossovers. However, the Taurus had a pretty decent run, with its own fair share of commercial success, especially in its early decades.
Please also read our article about the Ford Taurus and keys.
What Year Did Ford Start the Taurus Models?
Ford introduced the Ford Taurus models in 1985 and began the rollout for the 1986 model year.
The vehicle has spanned six generations and despite several competitive challenges; it achieved a considerable level of success.
How Is the Fuel Economy on Ford Taurus?
While SUVs are getting a lot of love from buyers right now, many others still stick to sedans for reasons including fuel economy.
Here is how the Ford Taurus ranks among its peers in terms of fuel economy:
Model | City MPG | Highway MPG | Average |
Ford Taurus (AWD) | 17 | 24 | 19 |
Ford Taurus (FWD) | 18 | 26 | 21 |
Chevrolet Impala | 19 | 28 | 22 |
Ford Fusion (AWD) | 20 | 29 | 23 |
Ford Fusion (FWD) | 21 | 31 | 25 |
Buick Lacrosse | 20 | 30 | 24 |
Toyota Avalon | 22 | 31 | 25 |
From the table above, the Ford Taurus falls a little short of its peers in terms of its average MPG.
However, it’s still not very far off, and buying an FWD model gives you an average of 21 MPG which makes for decent fuel economy.
The AWD variant, on the other hand, has a city MPG of 17 and highway MPG of 24, making it an average of 19 MPG. While the Ford Taurus is a great car in its own right, it doesn’t quite boast of a top-tier fuel economy.
Make sure to also read our article about the Ford Taurus in snow and winter driving.
How Quickly Do Ford Taurus Depreciate?
According to Auto Padre, the Ford Taurus has a five-year depreciation rate of 28%.
If you buy the car for $22,225, 28% depreciation rate means a reduction in value by $6,223. So, the Ford Taurus is forecasted to be valued at $16,002 in five years.
However, when you consider that the Ford Taurus is a discontinued model, the value could even be less than that in five years.
Did Ford Recall Any of the Ford Taurus Models?
The Ford Taurus has been recalled multiple times during its existence and the very first recall was announced on September 4, 1991.
Below is a table detailing the history of Ford Taurus recalls:
Model Year | Number Of Times Recalled |
1992 | 6 |
1993 | 8 |
1994 | 5 |
1995 | 6 |
1996 | 8 |
1997 | 5 |
1998 | 4 |
1999 | 7 |
2000 | 8 |
2001 | 10 |
2002 | 4 |
2003 | 4 |
2004 | 2 |
2005 | 1 |
2006 | 3 |
2008 | 2 |
2009 | 1 |
2010 | 3 |
2011 | 4 |
2012 | 5 |
2013 | 9 |
2014 | 5 |
2015 | 5 |
2016 | 2 |
2017 | 5 |
2018 | 4 |
The table above shows that virtually every Ford Taurus model has been recalled at least once.
The 2001 model claims the top spot with 10 recalls while the 2005 and the 2009 models were only recalled once.
If you are going to purchase an old Taurus model, we advise going for models with few to no recalls.
Keep an eye on our article which explains about Ford Taurus & Light: 14 Questions Answered
How Much Do Ford Taurus Models Pollute?
To know how much Ford Taurus models pollute, we need to know how much gas they emit when driven. This would help determine how eco-friendly the Ford Taurus models are.
For the AWD models, the Ford Taurus has a gas emissions rate of 468 grams per mile and 7.7 tons per year. The FWD models, on the other hand, have a gas emissions rate of 428 grams per mile and 7.1 tons per year.
Those numbers aren’t exactly “green numbers” so it’s fair to say the Ford Taurus isn’t one of the most environment-friendly cars out there.
Also read our article about where the Ford Taurus is made.
How Much Can the Ford Taurus Tow?
A sedan like the Ford Taurus isn’t exactly the first option for many when it comes to towing.
However, the Taurus doesn’t do badly with towing as it can pull up to 1,000 lbs of weight.
How Reliable Is a Ford Taurus?
The Ford Taurus is fairly reliable, according to critics and past/present users.
The U.S. News And World Report give it an overall rating of 7.2 out of 10 while lauding its spacious trunk and calm ride.
J.D. Power also gives it 78 out of a possible 100, indicating satisfactory performance.
How Safe Is a Ford Taurus?
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety Crash Test gives the Taurus an overall safety rating of 8.8.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was even more generous, giving it a 5-star safety rating.
The Taurus scored that high thanks to a wholesome list of safety features, including:
- Seatbelt Pre-tensioners
- Anti-Lock Brakes
- Stability Control
- Security System
- Rear-View Camera
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind-Spot Monitors
- Forward Collision Warning
- Active Lane Control
- Airbags (Knee, Overhead, Side, Front-Impact)
What Is the Typical Buyer Demographic for this Model?
According to research by Car Max, the average buyer of a Ford Model is around 41 years old.
The same research revealed that people around 37 years of age are more likely to purchase sedans.
While there is no exact data on Taurus buyer demographics, we can assume most Taurus buyers are between 35-42 years of age. It is also safe to assume this group of buyers prefer affordable cars with low maintenance costs and reliability.
Ford Taurus Theft Numbers
The Ford Taurus has been discontinued for quite a while, however, it has had some interesting theft numbers.
Back in 2007, the Ford Taurus was listed alongside the F-150 as two of the most stolen cars in Lincoln, according to the Journal Star.
Also, in 2010, the Ford Taurus (1999 model) ranked tenth on NICB’s list of most stolen vehicles. However, Ford Taurus models have made no top 10 lists recently which shows a reduction in theft.
References
2019 Ford Taurus | jdpower.com
2019 Ford Taurus | cars.usnews.com