Ford Taurus 2011 Problems | Jordan Car Inspection

This article gives you a short guide to Ford Taurus 2011 problems from the team at Jordan Car Inspection Center.

Found a 2011 Ford Taurus at a tempting price? It is a roomy sedan, comfortable on the highway, with a strong V6 engine for the price of a much smaller car. But before you pay, you need to know that this model has known weak points. Some are minor, and some could cost you a whole engine if they are not found in time.

In this article, we go through the most common Ford Taurus 2011 problems, the symptoms of each one and what to check before you buy. This is based on official recall campaigns and registered owner reports.

Quick overview of the 2011 Ford Taurus

The 2011 Taurus is the second year of the sixth generation, which first appeared as a 2010 model. It came with two main engines:

3.5-litre V6 engine (Duratec) with 263 horsepower, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). This is the most widespread version.
The SHO version with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, 365 horsepower and all-wheel drive.

Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Most of the problems below concern the standard 3.5 V6 engine, because it is the most common in the market.

1. The internal water pump: the most serious Ford Taurus 2011 problem

In the 3.5 V6 engine, the water pump is located inside the engine, behind the timing cover, and it is driven by the timing chain. When its seal fails, coolant can leak into the engine and mix with the oil. Oil contaminated with radiator coolant loses its ability to lubricate, and the result can be damage to internal parts such as the crankshaft and complete engine failure.

Owner reports suggest this problem often appears at roughly 130,000 to 210,000 km. The repair cost is high because reaching the pump means taking a large part of the engine apart. It is the same problem found in the 3.5 engines of the Ford Explorer, and we explained it in our article on used Ford Explorer problems.

Warning signs:

Coolant keeps dropping with no visible leak under the car.
Oil with a milky colour, or brown foam under the oil filler cap.
High engine temperature or white smoke from the exhaust.

Before buying: Ask for the service record and whether the pump has been replaced before, especially if the odometer is past 150,000 km. Also check the oil and the coolant carefully.

2. Electric steering: a sudden heavy steering wheel

The 2011 Taurus uses an electric power steering system (EPAS). One of the most repeated complaints is that the steering wheel suddenly becomes heavy while driving, with the message “Power Steering Assist Fault”. Ford launched a recall campaign that covered some 2011 and 2012 Taurus cars because of a problem in the electric steering system, but not every car is included in it.

Before buying: Turn the steering wheel fully left and right, both while the car is stopped and while moving. Make sure there is no warning message or clicking sound, and read the steering system faults with a computer scan.

3. The electronic throttle body and limp mode

When the electronic throttle body fails, the wrench warning light appears on the dashboard and the car goes into limp mode. Its power suddenly drops, and it may sometimes cut out. Ford previously extended the warranty on this part for a number of its models at that time, but that extension ended years ago. The good news is that the repair is usually a throttle body replacement, and its cost is reasonable compared with the other engine problems.

Before buying: Test acceleration from a standstill and at different speeds, and watch for any hesitation or sudden loss of power. Also ask for the stored faults to be read, even if no warning light is on.

4. The PTU in all-wheel-drive versions

In the versions with all-wheel drive (AWD), including the SHO, there is a power transfer unit (PTU) that sends torque to the rear wheels. Owners of this generation have reported red oil leaks between the PTU and the gearbox, and cases of failure of the unit itself. Ford also issued a service bulletin about a seal leak in a limited number of cars of this generation.

Before buying: Inspect the underside of the car for any leak or smell of burnt oil, and listen for any whining or unusual sound when accelerating and turning.

5. The timing chain and cams at high mileage

With long distances, some owners reported timing chain stretch or damage to the cam phasers, usually after about 160,000 km. These problems are more common in cars where the oil change was late, or where the engine was exposed to coolant contamination.

Before buying: Start the engine cold and listen for any rattling or clicking in the first few seconds. Also make sure there are no faults related to cam timing.

6. Other notes on the body and electrics

Peeling chrome: A common complaint on the wheels and the exterior chrome trim. It is a cosmetic problem, but it affects the look and the price of the car.
Weak headlight output: Some owners complained that the night lighting range is not enough.
Interior door handles: A recall covered cars built between December 2009 and July 2010, because the interior door handle may not return to its place.
Driver airbag: A recall covered a limited number of cars.

Before you buy, ask the authorised dealer in the UAE to check by chassis number (VIN) for the recalls and updates carried out on the car. Whether a car is covered by the campaigns varies with its specification and build date.

Summary of Ford Taurus 2011 problems

Problem	Symptoms	What to check
Internal water pump	Dropping coolant, milky oil, high temperature	The oil, the coolant and the service record
Electric steering	Heavy steering wheel and a Power Steering Assist Fault message	A steering test and reading the faults
Electronic throttle body	Wrench light and sudden loss of power	An acceleration test and a computer scan
PTU (all-wheel drive)	Red oil leak and whining sounds	The underside of the car and a test drive
Timing chain	Rattling on a cold start	The engine sound and cam faults

Is the 2011 Ford Taurus worth buying?

Yes, if its condition is sound and the price is right. The 2011 Taurus is a roomy, comfortable car, and its parts are available. However, its real value depends on the condition of the engine, the water pump and the steering system. A car with a documented service record and a replaced pump can be an excellent deal, while a car with contaminated oil may cost you more than it is worth.

Why should you inspect a used car before buying?

Most Taurus 2011 faults do not show up in a short test drive. The water pump may start leaking internally before any warning light appears, and steering and throttle body faults may be stored in the car’s computer without the seller or the buyer noticing. For this reason, a pre-purchase inspection is not a luxury:

It reveals hidden faults before they become your responsibility.
It gives you negotiating power: every fault found is a logical reason to lower the price.
It protects you from crashed and repainted cars that look sound on the surface, including a paint check with ultraviolet (UV) light.
It saves you thousands of dirhams for the cost of a simple inspection.

At Jordan Car Inspection Center, we inspect the Taurus and other cars thoroughly. This includes a computer scan to read engine, gearbox and steering faults, a check of the oil and the coolant, an inspection of the chassis, the body and the paint, and a test drive, followed by a clear report that helps you decide. Learn more about our used car inspection before buying in Sharjah service.

Contact Jordan Car Inspection Center

Address: University Street, Industrial Area 13, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Phone: 055 572 2214
WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
Working hours: Open 24 hours

Before you sign to buy a 2011 Taurus or any used car, bring it to us and find out its real condition.

To learn about vehicle registration and renewal requirements in the UAE, you can visit the official website of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).