Why did Ford stop making Taurus?
Ford stopped producing the Taurus for the North American market after the 2019 model year, primarily due to shifting consumer tastes toward SUVs and crossovers, combined with the cost of updating an aging sedan lineup. The Taurus nameplate continues to exist in some markets, but it no longer anchors Ford’s U.S. and Canadian lineup the way it once did.
Understanding why Ford chose to end the Taurus requires looking at broader market trends, the company’s profitability calculus, and how Ford restructured its product portfolio in the late 2010s. The Taurus had a long run—from its 1986 debut as a front-wheel-drive mid-size car to its final U.S. model year in 2019—but by the end of the decade, the car market in North America had evolved in a direction that the Taurus could no longer effectively compete within.
Context and the decision
The Taurus was a staple of Ford’s sedan lineup for decades, including a version used by fleets and law enforcement in earlier years. Yet consumer preferences, dealer incentives, and profitability all began to favor sport-utility vehicles and crossovers over traditional sedans. Ford’s broader strategy in the late 2010s prioritized high-margin vehicles, electrified models, and a leaner, more focused lineup, prompting a elimination of several slower-selling sedans, including the Taurus.
Key factors behind the move
The following factors collectively explain why Ford chose to discontinue the Taurus in North America. They reflect both market forces and corporate strategy during the period.
- Declining sedan demand in North America, with consumers shifting toward SUVs and crossovers that offer higher perceived value, flexibility, and better profit margins for manufacturers.
- Rising cost of refreshing and modernizing an aging platform. The Taurus shared a platform with older models, making efficient updates increasingly expensive relative to potential returns.
- Ford’s strategic pivot toward profitable SUVs, trucks, and electrified crossovers. The company prioritized models with stronger sales momentum and higher margins.
- Changes in fleet and law-enforcement needs. The Taurus-based police sedan faced stiff competition and a shrinking market, while Ford moved police offerings toward Explorer-based Interceptor models that better aligned with current demand.
- Plant and manufacturing rationalization. Ending Taurus production allowed Ford to reallocate manufacturing capacity—such as at the Chicago Assembly Plant—to more popular or higher-margin vehicles.
In summary, the decision was driven by a combination of weak residual demand for sedans, the rising cost-to-update an aging platform, and Ford’s broader push to emphasize SUVs, trucks, and electrified vehicles over traditional passenger cars.
What happened next and where the Taurus stands now
North America status
In the United States and Canada, Ford ended Taurus production after the 2019 model year. Dealers shifted focus to the brand’s growing SUV lineup, including the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition, as well as Mustang and other performance-oriented and electrified models. The Taurus nameplate is no longer a volume seller in North America.
Global perspective
Ford’s global product strategy has varied by region. While the Taurus served as a well-known name in some markets in the past, many regions have moved to Mondeo-based sedans or other local configurations, often under different nameplates. In practice, Ford has realigned its sedan offerings around markets and regions where demand remains viable, with the Taurus as a prominent North American model no longer a centerpiece of the lineup.
Summary
The Taurus’ demise in North America was less about a single failure and more about a broader market and corporate strategy shift. Faced with a shrinking market for traditional sedans, rising development costs, and a business case that favored higher-margin SUVs and trucks, Ford chose to retire the Taurus after the 2019 model year. The nameplate persists in some markets and as a chapter in Ford’s long history, but it no longer anchors Ford’s U.S. and Canadian passenger-car strategy. Ford’s current trajectory emphasizes crossovers, trucks, and electrified vehicles as the core of its product lineup.
Why did the Ford Taurus get discontinued?
Ford's decision to halt production of sedans such as the Taurus, Fiesta, and Focus stems from a comprehensive response to consumer preferences and industry innovations. Across Oklahoma City and Union City, drivers have increasingly favored SUVs and trucks for their versatility, space, and performance.
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.
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 replaced the Ford Taurus?
The Ford Taurus was replaced by the Ford Five Hundred in 2005, but was then revived in 2008 when the Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus. The Taurus was ultimately discontinued in North America after the 2019 model year, as Ford shifted its focus to SUVs and trucks.
- Initial replacement (2005–2007): The full-size Taurus was first replaced by the full-size Ford Five Hundred, while the Taurus wagon was replaced by the Ford Freestyle crossover.
- Taurus revival (2008): Then-CEO Alan Mulally deemed the discontinuation of the Taurus nameplate a mistake. The Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus, and the Freestyle crossover was rebranded as the Taurus X.
- Final discontinuation (2019): Production of the Taurus ended in North America for the 2019 model year as Ford phased out its sedans in favor of trucks and SUVs.
- Current use: The Taurus nameplate continues to be used in some international markets, such as the Middle East, where a rebadged Ford Mondeo is sold as the Taurus.
