The 2005 Ford Taurus is a decent all-arounder. It’s priced fairly, it’s got a sporty V6 under the hood, it’s roomy, and it’s reliable. But, you don’t have to look far to find something that’s much better at a slight price bump.
Is the 2005 Ford Taurus a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A jack of all trades, and a master of none.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The 2005 Taurus is spacious with plenty of trunk space, but the ride could be smoother.
- Reliability 7/10 – There are some electrical issues to look out for, but major mechanical issues are rare.
- Safety 7/10 – The safety tech onboard the Taurus may be dated, but it was adequate for 2005, and the overall structure is sound.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The entry level V6 averages 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which isn’t bad for a 2005 mid-size sedan.
- Value 8/10 – The 2005 Ford Taurus is probably the best mid-size for the price, but only by a very short lead.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Ford Taurus?
Consumer Reports found the 2005 Ford Taurus to be roomy and comfortable, but dated in its overall design, with few major changes since 1996. They found the handling wide, braking unimpressive, and road noise a bit loud.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Taurus an 80% recommendation, generally praising the car as a decent, if unexciting, mid-size car that “runs good and looks good.” Some negative reviews suggest that the car is more high-maintenance, and more expensive, than it has any right to be.
Edmunds praised the Taurus’ roomy interior and solid crash test scores, and they liked that it was available as a wagon, a body type that was falling out of favor by 2005. Low-grade interior materials and mediocre ride and handling earned the car a few red marks.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Ford Taurus Have?
The 2005 Ford Taurus has 528 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for vehicle speed control, making up the vast majority of the car’s 773 total complaints. The main issue here sees the vehicle speeding up on its own with the slightest touch of the gas pedal.
There are 123 powertrain complaints on file, many of them reporting this same issue. An investigation was launched in 2012, determining that the issue had to do with a stuck throttle cable. The issue has not been addressed with a recall as drivers are able to correct the issue by braking.
Rate of incidence is low, but there have been a handful of complaints for premature rust in the subframe, with one driver reporting that the frame was totally rusted through at just 75,000 miles.
The 2005 Ford Taurus has just one recall on file with the NHTSA, which is very, very low for a mid-size sedan that’s around twenty years old.
How Long Will the 2005 Ford Taurus Last?
Drivers typically report the Ford Taurus lasting a minimum of around 200,000 miles, and a maximum of 250,000. Excellent maintenance may buy you a few miles past that number, but, buying used, you should start shopping around as you edge towards that first quarter million.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $687 with the most expensive common fix being a new seat heater, starting at around $607.
It's really reliable. The only problems I've had are my windows getting stuck. Also my windshield wiper squirter is broke.
It is kind of reliable the fuel lasts long but it has a lot of issues dealing with the fuses they go out quickly. But handling is otherwise good.
Yes is reliable even though it has a few problems mostly due to the fact this is a repairable vehicle.
This car is very reliable. With regular maintenance (including oil changes, tire rotations, brake checks, etc) I haven't had any troubles with this car since I bought it.
It can be reliable but other times it is questionable on whether it will get me to my destination. It comes with steering problems, brake problems, and an unreliable gas pedal.
It's reliable the only problem where the transmission had to put another in it and the a/c on it which I had a lot of trouble with other than that it's a great car
It is a reliable car for sure but when I first bought it I had to do a lot of work to get it up and running good it still has a vacuum leak and no parts store sells the replacement harness that would be helpful
It runs well enough but it has already gone through 2 radiators in the 2 years I've had it. And the air conditioning doesn't work half the time.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Ford Taurus is pretty basic, even by 2005 standards. The entry level model comes with an AM/FM stereo and the high-end SEL features a CD player with four speakers.
Safety technology is pretty basic, too. You’ve got full airbags and a fuel shutoff switch for rear impact, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Is the 2005 Ford Taurus a Good Value?
The 2005 Ford Taurus is a good value. Entry level sedans typically list for around $3,442 with just 130,000 miles on the odometer. At the higher end, an SEL wagon lists for around $4,384. There are cheaper mid-sizes out there, but few that deliver this much value for the price.
Cost of ownership is fairly low, as well. Major mechanical breakdowns are few and far between, and fuel economy is decent for a twenty year old mid-size.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Ford Taurus?
The 2005 Ford Taurus is offered in just two trim levels, the base SE and the high-end SEL. Both are available in sedan or wagon body styles.
With the entry-level SE you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth seating
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
- AM/FM stereo with four speakers
The top-of-the-line SEL adds:
- Wood grain trim
- CD player
- Driver lumbar support
What Engines Come In the 2005 Ford Taurus?
- The base engine available in the SE model Taurus is a 12-valve 3.0L Vulcan V6 delivering 153 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive. You’ll average 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, with this engine.
- SEL models are available with a 24 valve 3.0L Duratec V6 delivering 201 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. Just like the Vulcan, this is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front-wheel drive. The Duratec averages 18/25 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2005 Ford Taurus Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Ford Taurus?
The 2005 Ford Taurus is moderately comfortable. The competing Altima and Taurus offer a smoother ride, but you’ve got 55 inches of rear hip room and nice sturdy seating.
The shocks and struts have held up over the years, with few complaints on file for suspension issues. But, given a handful of reports regarding premature corrosion, you’ll want to take a look at the undercarriage before you buy.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Ford Taurus Have?
The trunk offers 17 cubic feet of storage space, which is on the bigger end for 2005 mid-size sedans. The wagon offers 38.8 cubic feet of storage space, and you can fold the seats down for up to 81.3 cubic feet.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2005 was the sixth model year for the nameplate’s 4th Generation, which ran from 2000 to 2006, when the car was put on hiatus until the 2008 relaunch.
2002: No big changes for 2002, but Ford did expand the body color lineup.
2003: SEL models got a new satin finish in the instrument cluster, and door seals were improved to reduce road noise.
2004: Ford made a few style revisions for 2004 with new grilles and taillights.
2005: The SES and LX trims were dropped for 2005, cutting the trim list down to sedan and wagon model SEs and SELs.
2006: Ford retired the wagon in 2006, and began phasing the Taurus out for the Fusion and the 500.
How Does the 2005 Ford Taurus Compare to the Competition?
The Chevrolet Impala is a comparably muscular, roomy mid-size, with a more comfortable interior featuring smoother suspension and more creature comforts, like dual-zone air conditioning in the base model. The Impala typically sells for around $500 more than a comparable Taurus, but it’s easily worth the extra money.
A 2005 Nissan Altima is comparable to the Taurus at the entry level, but the 3.5 models weigh in at 250 horsepower, fifty horses more than a high-end Taurus, and cost about a thousand dollars more on average.
The 2005 Ford Taurus is arguably the best and most well-rounded mid-size car in its model year, but it holds a razor-thin lead over the competition. The Impala is more comfortable for just a few hundred dollars extra, and the base Altima isn’t quite as powerful, but it’s superior in most other ways.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Ford Taurus?
Yes it is a great vehicle. It rides smooth, I haven't had any issues. It has a big trunk. Also baby seats are easy to put in.
Yes it actually is. And I am not really a fan of American automobiles. I am more of a Honda or Toyota guy.
Probably was in its day not bad now considering the age of the vehicle so I would say yes it's a good vehicle.
I believe this vehicle is a good vehicle because it has decent gas mileage, it is reliable ( I have never had a problem with it), and the interior is roomy and can fit exactly what I need, when I need it.
At times, it gets me where I need to go but has also come with many problems such as power of steering going out, gas pedal getting stuck, and squeaking brakes.
Yes it's a very reliable vehicle for being made in 2005 and having more than 200,000 miles the only major fix was the transmission but then again I am the second owner of the vehicle
I love the Ford Taurus. I had 1 previously that was also a good car. I have had great luck this far in my Ford I would recommend them as a family car.
It is not the best, it has a lot of issues. Like eating radiators and the air conditioning doesn't work half the time.
