Why did Ford stop making Ford Taurus?

The Ford Taurus ended production for the North American market after the 2019 model year, marking the end of a decades-long run for a once-dominant family sedan. The shift reflected changing consumer tastes toward SUVs and trucks, and Ford’s strategic decision to focus on higher-margin vehicles.

Context: a market in transition

In the mid-to-late 2010s, Ford and most automakers faced a steep decline in demand for traditional large sedans in the United States and Canada. Consumers increasingly favored sport-utility vehicles and crossovers, while competition from other midsize sedans and new mobility options put pressure on profitability for older, lower-volume cars like the Taurus.

Key factors behind the decision

Several converging pressures made the Taurus a lower-priority model in Ford’s North American lineup. The following points summarize the core dynamics that influenced the decision.

• Declining consumer demand for large sedans in the U.S. and Canada as buyers shifted to SUVs and crossovers.


• A strategic pivot toward higher-margin products, notably Ford’s lineup of SUVs, trucks, and utility vehicles.


• Rising costs and limited return on investment for updating the Taurus’ platform to meet evolving safety and efficiency standards.


• Intensifying competition from remaining midsize sedans and newer crossover offerings in Ford’s portfolio.

In short, shrinking demand for the Taurus combined with Ford’s need to optimize its product mix made continuing the model less justifiable from a profitability and portfolio-management perspective.

Ford’s strategic response and the lineup shift

Ford’s broader corporate strategy during the period emphasized profitability and scale in the most popular segments. The company signaled a deliberate move away from car-centric lineups in favor of utility and truck offerings, aligning with a market that showed sustained interest in SUVs and pickups over traditional sedans.

Actions taken by Ford

Ford publicly framed the discontinuation of the Taurus as part of a broader effort to streamline its North American car portfolio and concentrate resources on vehicles with higher demand and stronger margins. The Taurus was eventually discontinued after the 2019 model year in North America, with development and production emphasis redirected toward crossover, SUV, and truck models that formed the core of Ford’s profitability strategy.

• Official discontinuation of the Taurus in North America after the 2019 model year, as part of a broader plan to reduce car-heavy offerings.


• Restructuring of the North American lineup to prioritize SUVs, crossovers, and trucks such as the Escape, Edge, Explorer, Expedition, and F-Series.


• A continued emphasis on maintaining a smaller, more selective car lineup in the region, rather than expanding low-volume sedans.

The decision reflected a market-driven recalibration: Ford aimed to invest more heavily in segments with higher demand and better profitability while phasing out legacy sedans that no longer carried the same weight in consumers’ eyes.

Legacy and what it signaled for Ford and the market

The Taurus’ retirement underscored a broader industry trend: the decline of traditional full-size and mid-size sedans in favor of SUVs and trucks. It also highlighted Ford’s strategic pivot toward high-volume, high-margin vehicles and the company’s willingness to retire long-standing nameplates when market economics and product priorities shifted.

Summary

In summary, Ford stopped making the Taurus in North America because demand for large sedans had dwindled while the company prioritized profitable, high-demand vehicles—primarily SUVs and trucks. The Taurus’ end represented a larger realignment in Ford’s product strategy, mirroring a national and global shift away from traditional sedans toward crossover and utility models. The nameplate remains a notable chapter in Ford’s history as the company reoriented its lineup for a changing market.

What replaced the Taurus?

The Ford Five Hundred was the initial replacement for the Taurus after its first discontinuation in 2007. However, Ford later rebranded the Five Hundred as the Taurus in 2008, as it was considered a mistake to remove the popular nameplate. The Taurus was then discontinued a final time in 2019, with SUVs like the Explorer replacing it in the lineup. 
This video explains how the Taurus went from being Ford's bestseller to a forgotten icon: 1mMy Old CarYouTube · Nov 27, 2021

• Initial replacement: The Taurus was first replaced by the Ford Five Hundred in 2007. 
• Reintroduction of the name: The Five Hundred was quickly renamed the Taurus in 2008 when Ford CEO Alan Mulally decided the Taurus name was still valuable. 
• Final discontinuation: The Taurus was again discontinued in 2019, with Ford shifting focus to SUVs and trucks. The Explorer was a key vehicle that took its place in the lineup. 

You can watch this video to learn about the Ford Taurus X Eddie Bauer, a vehicle that was part of the Taurus's lineage: 32sShooting CarsYouTube · May 23, 2022

Will Ford ever make the Taurus again?

Yes, the Ford Taurus is being brought back, but it's currently only for the Middle Eastern and Chinese markets, and a new 2026 model is expected to be a midsize sedan. The Taurus was discontinued in North America in 2019, but the nameplate lives on in other regions as a hybrid sedan.
 

• Model: The new Taurus is a midsize sedan, and a hybrid version is available with a 2.0L turbocharged engine. 
• Discontinuation in North America: The Taurus was discontinued in North America in 2019, and there are currently no plans for it to return to the US market. 
• Availability: The new Taurus is available in the Middle East and is essentially the same car as the Mondeo sold in China. 
• Design: The new model features a modern design with a larger grille and Mustang-inspired headlights, and the interior has new materials and a refreshed layout. 

What year of Ford Taurus to avoid?

You should generally avoid the 2002, 2003, and 2005 model years due to common reliability issues, with the 2013 model year being a particular concern due to numerous recalls and reported problems like stalling and throttle body issues. Other years with reported issues include 1990-2007, 2012, and 2014 due to problems like oil leaks and engine issues. 
Problematic years to avoid

• 2013: This year is often cited as one with major issues, including multiple recalls and owner-reported problems such as stalling, poor acceleration, and problems with the electronic throttle body. 
• 2002, 2003, 2005: These years are flagged for having common problems, though the specifics vary between them. 
• 2012: This model has been subject to multiple recalls. 
• 1990-2007 and 2014: These years have been linked to issues with oil leaks from the engine oil pan gasket. 

Common problems to be aware of

• Oil leaks: A common problem across many years, particularly in the 1990-2007, 2012, and 2014 models. 
• Engine issues: This includes stalling, misfires, and problems with the electronic throttle body, especially in the 2013 model. 
• Recalls: Several model years, including 2012, 2013, and 2015, have been subject to multiple recalls. 

Why did Ford discontinue the Taurus?

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, sales of the Taurus declined as it lost market share to Japanese mid-size sedans and as Ford shifted resources towards developing SUVs. The Taurus was withdrawn after the 2007 model year, with production ending on October 27, 2006.