FordTaurus2015Overview/ford/taurus/2015/base/

2015 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Ford Taurus is a passenger car. It is equipped with a 6.0‑quart oil capacity, 5W‑20 viscosity, an automatic S6 transmission, and EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Reliability data show 256 owner complaints for the model year, a number that falls well below the 1,822 complaints recorded in 1993 yet remains above the 11 complaints logged in the 2019 low.

Model year20192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 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 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.1 in
Overall width76.4 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4017 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume20 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

5.2–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2013 SHO Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Limited 2.0L EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.60 sec240 hpFWD
2013SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.80 sec365 hpAWD
2013SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.70 sec365 hpAWD
2013Police Interceptor Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec13.90 sec365 hpAWD
2013SEL Sedan 3.5L V66.60 sec15.10 sec288 hpFWD
2013SEL Sedan 3.5L V67.00 sec15.40 sec288 hpAWD
2013Limited Sedan 3.5L V67.20 sec15.50 sec288 hpAWD
20132.0L EcoBoost Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec240 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, SAE 80W · SAE 80W in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 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 Capacity11.6
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSAE 80W · SAE 80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity11.1
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic · SAE 5W
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity19.0 gallons

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsInstall new studs: 12.5 ft/lbs; 2nd step:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub258
Rear Wheel Hub258
Front Wheel Hub258

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.028 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity26.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-12-D
Oil Capacity5.4 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)51-75 engine running
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55 engine running psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-75 engine running psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51-67 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.007-0.012 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 25 /; Front: 13; Rear: 24
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 111 /; Front: 122; Rear: 111
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 13; Front: 14; Rear: 13; Rear: 14
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

15.17 ft. lbs.5.17 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-18

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
236.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
336.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
436.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
790 degrees; Bolts 19-2290 degrees
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil. · Bolts 1-8

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
226.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
545 degrees; Bolt 945 degrees
17.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 10,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 2015 Ford Taurus sits near the bottom of a long‑term decline in federal complaints, with 256 complaints and 6 recalls, compared to 587 complaints and 9 recalls in 2013 and 233 complaints and 5 recalls in 2014. This dip follows a sharp rise in the early 1990s and a gradual improvement through the 2000s, indicating a positive trend in the generation’s reliability. The 2015 model’s recall count of 6 is only slightly higher than the 4 recalls seen in 2016, suggesting no sudden spike in issues. Top complaint areas—Back Over Prevention (39), Steering (37), and Fuel/Propulsion System (35)—mirror the broader pattern of mechanical and safety concerns that have receded over time. With only 11 crash complaints and a single fire complaint, the 2015 Taurus shows improved safety performance relative to earlier years. Overall, the 2015 year appears to be a solid purchase point, as it benefits from the downward trend in complaints and recalls while maintaining low safety‑related incident figures.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
75
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
256
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 256 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Back Over Prevention39
Steering37
Fuel/Propulsion System35
Unknown Or Other26
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Engine9
Power Train8
Suspension6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V621000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 25/08/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may…

15V605000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:MountingReported 28/09/2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 75 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523352024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingFor 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Taurus take?

6.0 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Premium Synthetic Blend Motor Oil; Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 Super Premium Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taurus get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.