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2006 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Ford Taurus is a passenger car with a 4.5-quart oil capacity calling for 5W-20 API viscosity, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. In owner-reported reliability data, the model year logged 318 complaints, with vehicle speed control standing out as the top concern, and it carries three recalls. Viewed across the full 1990–2019 Taurus complaint history, that total sits well below the 1993 peak of 1,822 complaints but far above the 2019 low of 11, placing the 2006 model in the middle of the range rather than among the most troubled or most trouble-free years.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 36r · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 36r · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	197.6 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3336 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 25 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	105 cu ft
Cargo volume	17 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Taurus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2013 SHO Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	6.80 sec	15.50 sec	263 hp	FWD
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	7.20 sec	15.70 sec	263 hp	AWD
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	7.50 sec	16.00 sec	263 hp	AWD
2008	X Limited Wagon 3.5L V6	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	263 hp	FWD
2002	SEL Sedan 3.0L V6	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	155 hp	FWD
2010	SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	5.20 sec	13.70 sec	365 hp	AWD
2010	SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	5.20 sec	13.70 sec	365 hp	AWD
2010	SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6	5.20 sec	13.60 sec	365 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	13.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	USE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	107 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.12 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	36r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	36r

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	2
Pressure Test	18-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180-207 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-55.0
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 DOHC ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-60 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.140 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.998 in / 0.614 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.974 in / 0.591 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen bolts 360 degrees	360 degrees
3	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees	90 degrees

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 16

7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The complaint count for the Taurus generation peaked at 1,822 in 1993 and then trended downward, reaching 318 complaints in 2006 before falling further to 149 in 2007. Recalls followed a similar arc, with highs of 8–9 recalls in the early‑mid 1990s, dropping to just 1 recall in 2005, rising slightly to 3 recalls in 2006, and returning to 1 recall in 2007. Investigations and technical service bulletins also showed reduced activity in 2006 (1 investigation, 13 TSBs) compared with earlier peaks such as 16 investigations in 1990 and 313 TSBs in 1996. By 2009 complaints had declined to 64, indicating that later model years continued the improvement seen in 2006. Thus, the 2006 Taurus occupies a low‑complaint, low‑recall segment of the generation’s timeline, offering better reliability than many preceding years but not quite the low levels of the very latest models. For a buyer seeking a used Taurus, the 2006 model year represents a solid choice, balancing improved dependability with availability, though later years (e.g., 2009‑2010) show even fewer reported issues.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

318

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05’06’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 318 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control130

Power Train18

Air Bags12

Electrical System11

Structure11

Vehicle Speed Control,Engine10

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Unknown Or Other9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16E026000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:PadsReported 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598… Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at…

06V119000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 10/04/2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED… Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB 20-2233	2020-07-13	Structure	This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
0607	2006-12-06	Power Train	EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES WITH HARD START WHEN OPERATING ON E85 FUEL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Taurus. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 36 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Taurus take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taurus get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.