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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2004 > Ford > TAURUS

2004 FORD TAURUS SEL
Station Wagon
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used FORD.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 4 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 4 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   G
Structure/Safety Cage   G
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   G
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   G
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. <p>The Ford Taurus and the Mercury Sable were redesigned for the 2000 model year to provide more advanced occupant restraint features. The Sable was discontinued after the 2005 model year, and the 2006 Taurus was sold primarily to fleets. The Taurus was then discontinued after the 2006 model year.</p> Dummy movement was well controlled. After the dummy moved forward into the airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. 2000 Ford Taurus SES 4-door 3333 front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags 108 198 73 3.0 L V6 19 28

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL . The crashworthiness data for this 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 82 Average
Collision Index 73 Better than average
Theft Index 6 Substantially better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 24,277
NHTSA campaign number: 04V330000
Defective part or component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Description: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded. The seat may not perform as intended during loading, such as could occur during a crash. Dealers will replace the upper support assembly on the power seats. Owner notification is expected to begin during July 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.


This 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 4.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 3 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 2.5 of 5
  Performance Rating 2.5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 2.5 of 5
  Style Rating 2 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Fuel Pump. Failure of the Fuel Pump may prevent the vehicle from starting. The cost to repair the Fuel Pump is estimated at $231.93 for parts and $110.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax. Moderate Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2004 FORD TAURUS reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
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Category:    Taurus SEL 4 Dr Wagon:
Depreciation $15,713
Financing $2,891
Insurance $7,870
State Fees $465
Fuel $5,067
Maintenance $2,010
Repairs $880
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $34,896

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint systems are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Alignment and wheel balance covered for 1 year 12,000 miles Tire wear is covered 1 year or 12,000 miles.  

This 2004 FORD TAURUS SEL warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Significant improvements for 2004.
By Ted West, NewCarTestDrive.com

The Ford Taurus remains one of the 10 best-selling vehicles, car or truck, in the United States. Since it was introduced in 1985, Taurus sales have averaged more than 350,000 units every year, and the car line recently surpassed 6 million units in total sales. An all-new Ford Five Hundred sedan is on the horizon, but we expect to see the Taurus sell on a price basis for several years to come.

The Taurus soldiers into 2004 offering value in the form of cash rebates and other incentives. Base prices and option prices have climbed, however, and content has not always increased.

Taurus rides smoothly for family duty, yet offers crisp, sporty handling. Plus it's bigger than most mid-size cars. We recommend the newer Duratec engine for its responsiveness and efficiency, and we highly recommend opting for ABS and side airbags.

Overview:

The Ford Taurus just keeps on ticking. The Taurus was last redesigned and re-engineered for 2000, but Ford has been continuously improving this solid sedan. The Taurus offers excellent drivetrains, good looks, plenty of creature comforts, and the added bonus of a surprising level of driving pleasure.

The styling has been revised for 2004. A new grille and fascia freshen the front, while new taillamps and fascia dress up the rear. The 2004 Taurus interior is further improved with an updated steering wheel and instrument cluster and an updated multi-function switch for the wipers, turn signals and flash-to-pass. The 2004 Taurus engine and transmission offer improved efficiency and shift quality.

The interior was updated for 2003, resulting in a quieter cabin. Cabin noise was reduced through better sealing and sound damping measures. Seat fabrics, both leather and cloth, were improved, with lighter colors used to brighten the car's interior, the dashboard was revised, and controls for the adjustable pedals were moved to the instrument panel for easier access.

Ford has been offering big incentives on the Taurus, so buyers should watch for cash rebates and cut-rate financing.

Read the complete 2004 Ford Taurus review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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