2004 Ford Taurus Review: A Fairly Average, Dated Car at a Really Good Price

The 2004 Ford Taurus isn’t exactly a bad car, and it’s not exactly a great one. It’s a perfectly average, somewhat dated mid-size that’s comfortable, reliable, and kind of boring, but very affordable.

Is the 2004 Ford Taurus a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2004 Ford Taurus is very middle-of-the-road in almost every way. There’s not much here to complain about, but not much to rave about, either.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The seats are comfortable, the suspension has held up well, and wagon models have cargo space to spare. The interior materials do feel a bit cheap, though.
• Reliability 7/10 – The 2004 Ford Taurus probably won’t outlast a comparable Honda or Toyota, but you can expect to go 250,000 miles on the original transmission.
• Safety 7/10 – Excellent crash test scores, dated safety technology, and anti-lock brakes are exclusive to the higher trims.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – It’s an American-made mid-size that holds its own against comparable Japanese cars. The car may be getting on in years, but you won’t be cringing at the gas pump.
• Value 8/10 – What really elevates this car is that the high-end SEL models typically sell for well under four grand with under 140,000 miles on the odometer. That’s just a darn good deal no matter what you’re comparing it to.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Ford Taurus?

Consumer Reports found the Taurus roomy and comfortable, but dated, with few fundamental changes to the car’s design since the mid-nineties. They were left underwhelmed by the wide turns, wimpy braking, and excessive cabin noise.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2004 Taurus a modest 80% recommendation, praising the fuel economy, longevity, and low cost of maintenance, with replacement parts being relatively inexpensive. But, some users note that, inexpensive or not, those little repairs occur pretty frequently.

Edmunds liked the roomy interior and solid crash test scores, but weak handling, soft brakes, and low-grade interior material cost the 2004 Taurus a more glowing review.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Ford Taurus Have?

Vehicle speed control issues make up 164 of the 373 total complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure, forcing them to apply the emergency brakes to bring the car to a halt.

The 2004 Taurus has generated 72 powertrain complaints since its launch, which isn’t a lot for a twenty year span. But, when the transmission does start to go, the first signs will usually be that your car gets stuck in gear or won’t come out of park.

A 2016 recall was intended to address brake pad shims which could shift out of position and contact the disc, which would result in damage to the disc and difficulty stopping. Braking complaints are few, but there have been reports of drivers experiencing this problem despite not having been included in the recall.

The 2004 Ford Taurus has just 2 recalls on file with the NHTSA and 2 investigations, both closed.

How Long Will the 2004 Ford Taurus Last?

Ford Taurus drivers typically report a minimum mileage of 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. There are drivers reporting 300,000 miles and up, but at around 250,000 miles you should expect to see some transmission issues that may be too expensive to be worth fixing.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $697 for the typical Taurus owner, with the most expensive common fix being a new exhaust muffler, starting at around $877.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is a bit dated. The entry-level model doesn’t even include a cassette player. The high-end SEL comes with a six-disc CD changer, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.

Safety technology is adequate. The higher trim levels include anti-lock brakes, while lower trims come with dual stage airbags and child seat tether anchors.

Is the 2004 Ford Taurus a Good Value?

The 2004 Ford Taurus is a pretty good value. Entry level sedans typically list for around $3,281, with the top-of-the-line SEL going for just $3,634. These prices are for models with less than 140,000 miles on the odometer, and there are plenty of cars selling for twice the price with twice the mileage.

There are cheaper used cars out there, and there are better used cars. But in terms of what you’re getting for the price, the 2004 Taurus is hard to beat.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Ford Taurus?

The 2004 Ford Taurus is available in four trim levels, from the base LX to the high-end SEL. All four are available in a sedan style, while the wagon body type is exclusive to the SE and SEL trims.

With the entry level LX you’re getting:

• Manual air conditioning
• AM/FM stereo
• Cloth seat trim
• Dual auxiliary power outlets
• SecuriLock anti-theft
• Power windows and door locks
• Power exterior mirrors

Next up is the SE, which adds:

• Remote keyless entry
• Cassette player

The mid-range SES adds:

• Power 6-way driver seat
• Optional leather wrapped steering wheel
• CD player

Finally, the top-of-the-line SEL adds:

• 6-disc CD changer
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
• Wood trim
• Automatic air conditioning
• Anti-lock brakes

What Engines Come In the 2004 Ford Taurus?

• The standard engine found in the LX model Taurus is a 3.0L Vulcan V6. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission for 155 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Higher trim levels offer a 3.0L Duratec V6 paired to a 4-speed automatic. This engine produces 200 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at an average mileage of 19/26. Both engines are configured in front wheel drive and come equipped with an 18 gallon tank.

What Colors Does the 2004 Ford Taurus Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Ford Taurus?

You won’t find many complaints for the roomy interior and smooth ride in the 2004 Taurus. The cheap-feeling interior materials, even in the higher trim levels, does cost the cabin a point or two, but the 55 inches of rear hiproom can easily seat three adults and the suspension has held up pretty well over the years.

The biggest knock against the Taurus on this front is that the 6-way power adjust driver seat is exclusive to the higher trim levels. But, since the SEL only costs a couple hundred dollars more than an entry-level LX, it’s not that big a deal.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Ford Taurus Have?

A 2004 Taurus sedan has a firm 17 cubic feet of trunk space. The wagon starts out at 38.8 cubic feet, and goes up to 81.3 with the seats folded down. It’s kind of a shame nobody really makes wagons anymore, because the Taurus offers the cargo space of a mid-size SUV in a more fuel-efficient, easy-to-park package.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2004 Ford Taurus was the fifth model year in the car’s 4th Generation, running from the 2000 to the 2006 model years. The nameplate was then put on hiatus, with Ford selling fleet vehicles, but retiring the car as a consumer vehicle until the 2008 relaunch.

2000: Ford launched the Taurus as a flagship for their sleeker new look going into the 2000s. The edges were sharper and more modern, and they dropped the retro looking oval windows in the backseats.

2001: Some under-the-hood tweaks managed to squeeze an extra mile or two out of each gallon, but there were no major changes for 2001.

2002: Ford expanded the body color lineup.

2003: The SEL received a new satin finish for the instrument cluster and the door seals were improved to address road noise complaints.

2004: Style revisions included new grilles and taillights across all trims.

2005: Ford dropped the SES and LX for 2005, cutting the trim list down to the SE and SEL.

2006: The wagon was retired in 2006, and, by the end of the year, the sedan was, too, with Ford pushing the Fusion and the 500 as their new flagship cars.

How Does the 2004 Ford Taurus Compare to the Competition?

Comparing the 2004 Taurus to a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, the Impala’s supercharged performance model weighs in at 240 horsepower, forty horses ahead of the Taurus. Drivers generally find the Impala more fun to drive, and about as comfortable as the Taurus. The SS Supercharged edition also costs about $1,500 more.

The Nissan Altima isn’t quite as powerful as the Taurus, but it’s a couple MPGs more efficient. 2004 model Tauruses and Altimas are generally priced in the same range from trim to trim.

One way of looking at the 2004 Ford Taurus is that it’s kind of mediocre. There are more powerful vehicles out there, more efficient vehicles, and more affordable vehicles. The design is kind of dated and the interior feels kind of cheap. But the overall value you’re getting for each dollar spent is hard to beat.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Ford Taurus?