Why did they discontinue the Ford Taurus?

The Taurus was discontinued in the United States after the 2019 model year, primarily due to a steep decline in demand for large sedans and a strategic pivot by Ford toward SUVs and trucks. This shift reflected broader market trends that favored higher-margin crossovers and utility vehicles over traditional family sedans.

To understand why Ford retired the Taurus, it’s important to look at how consumer preferences, profitability, and product planning intersected over the past decade. Ford faced shrinking sedan sales, rising competition from both mainstream and premium crossovers, and the need to streamline its lineup to invest more in higher-margin vehicles and newer technologies. The end of the Taurus fits into a broader company-wide recalibration that reduced car models in favor of sport-utility options.

Market forces behind the decision

Before outlining the contributing factors, consider the macro trends that shaped Ford’s decision-making around sedans like the Taurus.

• Declining demand for large sedans in the U.S. and many global markets as customers shifted to SUVs and crossovers.


• Greater profitability and consumer appeal of SUVs and trucks, driving Ford to prioritize those segments in its lineup.


• Pressure to simplify the product portfolio and reduce production complexity across plants and suppliers.


• Intense competition from both mainstream brands offering affordable crossovers and premium brands expanding into more SUV-focused offerings.


• Strategic planning to allocate resources to new technologies (electric/connected cars) and electrified crossovers, rather than sustaining aging sedans.

Ultimately, the Taurus’ fate mirrored a broader industry trend: sedans have declined in prominence as SUV demand has surged, pressuring legacy nameplates like the Taurus to fade from the lineup.

Lifecycle and strategy: how Ford used the Taurus over time

Below is a concise look at the Taurus’ lifecycle and how it fit into Ford’s product strategy over the years.

1. 1986: Ford introduced the Taurus as a new mid-size sedan aimed at modernizing its image and expanding its family-car appeal.


2. 1990s: The Taurus became a staple in Ford’s lineup and earned strong sales during the decade, helping Ford establish a foothold in the family-sedan segment.


3. 2008: The Taurus X was introduced as a crossover variant, reflecting Ford’s exploration of more versatile, wagon-like configurations.


4. 2010s: The Taurus underwent design and technology updates to remain competitive, but sales continued to drift downward as market tastes shifted.


5. 2019: Ford ended Taurus production for the U.S. market, aligning the lineup with a stronger emphasis on SUVs, crossovers, and trucks.


6. Post-discontinuation: Ford refrained from offering a direct large-sedan replacement, choosing to strengthen its SUV/crossover family while continuing other car models in smaller niches.

The discontinuation reflects a broader strategic move away from traditional sedans toward more profitable and popular vehicle types, a trend reinforced by market demand and the company’s investment priorities.

What this means for Ford's lineup and customers

Before detailing the implications, it’s helpful to frame the impact from the customer and product-planning perspective.

• Customers seeking a large, traditional sedan without stepping into an SUV found fewer Ford options, as the company shifted emphasis toward crossover-family vehicles.


• Ford’s lineup in the U.S. became more concentrated around reliable mainstream crossovers (Escape, Edge, Explorer) and trucks (F-Series), with performance and electrification strategies shaping future choices.


• Used-car markets for older Taurus models persisted, but resale values were influenced by the reduced new-car availability and shifting consumer preferences.


• Fleet and police customers largely transitioned to SUV-based Interceptors and other Ford offerings, aligning with trend toward higher-capacity, versatile vehicles.

In practical terms, Ford’s decision to discontinue the Taurus was part of a deliberate move to focus resources on segments with growing demand, enabling the company to invest in modern propulsion options, safety tech, and connectivity features that align with contemporary buyer expectations.

Impact on fleets and law enforcement

Police and fleet buyers historically relied on Taurus-based Interceptors, but Ford gradually shifted toward SUV-based police vehicles and other models as agencies prioritized payload, space, and versatility. This transition echoed the general market move away from large sedans toward crossovers and SUVs for duty use.

The Taurus’ end signal also underscored a broader industry pattern: significant model thinning among traditional sedans as automakers reallocate capital toward more popular, higher-margin segments and future-focused technologies.

Summary

Ford discontinued the Taurus in 2019 due to a combination of shrinking demand for large sedans and a strategic pivot toward SUVs, crossovers, and trucks. The decision reflected broader market trends, profitability considerations, and a shift in product development priorities. While the Taurus played a long and influential role in Ford’s history, the company’s current lineup centers on vehicles that align with contemporary buyer preferences and the automaker’s long-term technology goals.

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 stop making 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.

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