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2017 FORD TAURUS

2.0L I4 EcoBoost•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas•turbo
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5-Year Cost of Ownership
$18,445 maintenance + known platform issues
~$3,689/yr · 310¢/mile equivalent · $6,714 maintenance + $9,131 expected platform issues
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3.5L V6 EcoBoost
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2017 Taurus is built on Ford's D4 platform with two turbo engine options that share some concerning reliability patterns. The 3.5L EcoBoost in particular has earned a reputation for catastrophic internal failures, while both powertrains suffer from water pump and cooling system issues that can lead to expensive consequences if ignored.

3.5L EcoBoost Catastrophic Engine Failure (Piston Ring Land Fracture)

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: sudden loss of power under load, white smoke from exhaust, coolant in oil or oil in coolant, metallic knocking noise, check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine replacement or rebuild required. Fractured piston ring lands allow combustion gases into cooling system. Carbon buildup exacerbates the problem. Figure 20-30 labor hours for short block replacement, more for full rebuild. Many shops won't touch internal work on EcoBoost V6s—recommend reman long block.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

Water Pump Failure (Both Engines)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant leak from front of engine, whining or grinding noise from accessory drive, overheating, coolant smell in cabin, low coolant warning
Fix: Internal water pump driven by timing chain on both engines. Requires front cover removal, timing chain work. On 3.5L EcoBoost it's an 8-10 hour job; 2.0L is slightly less at 6-8 hours. Must replace coolant and check for contamination. If pump fails catastrophically, metal debris circulates and can grenade the turbo(s).
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Fluid Contamination and Failure

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking or grinding from front of vehicle during turns, binding sensation in tight turns, burnt smell, metallic shavings in PTU fluid, AWD malfunction warning
Fix: AWD models only. Ford says PTU fluid is 'lifetime' but it burns up and needs changing every 30-40k miles. Once damage starts, PTU replacement required—about 4-5 hours labor. This is a sealed unit bolted to the transmission. Preventive fluid changes with Motorcraft XT-11QDC are critical.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,200

6F Transmission Torque Converter Shudder

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: vibration or shudder during light acceleration 25-45 mph, feels like driving over rumble strips, harsh or delayed shifts, transmission slipping sensation
Fix: 6F50/55 transmission torque converter develops shudder from clutch material breakdown. Ford TSB 18-2405 addresses this with Mercon ULV fluid and additive. If caught early, multiple fluid exchanges can help (2-3 hours). Advanced cases need torque converter replacement at 8-10 hours. Some techs report success with Lubegard additive before converter swap.
Estimated cost: $400-2,800

2.0L EcoBoost Carbon Buildup and Intake Valve Issues

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, misfires on cold start, reduced power, poor fuel economy, check engine light P0300-P0304 codes
Fix: Direct injection means no fuel washing intake valves—carbon accumulates. Requires walnut blasting media cleaning, 4-5 hours with intake manifold removal. Catch can installation helps prevent recurrence. Some engines develop stuck or burnt exhaust valves requiring head work (add 12-15 hours).
Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Front Strut Mount Bearing Failure

Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, creaking when turning steering wheel at standstill, steering feels notchy or catches, tire wear on inside edge
Fix: Top strut mount bearings wear out. Common on D4 platform. Replace as complete strut/mount assemblies—about 2 hours front end. Alignment required after. Can sometimes get away with just mount replacement but struts are usually tired at this mileage anyway.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Exhaust Manifold Stud Failure (3.5L)

Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: ticking or tapping noise from engine that increases with RPM, exhaust leak smell, check engine light from O2 sensor codes, visible soot around manifold
Fix: Exhaust manifold studs break in cylinder head. One of the rear studs on each bank is common. Manifold removal and stud extraction required—4-6 hours per side depending on which studs. Time-Sert or Helicoil inserts needed. Some heads crack around stud holes requiring replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500
Owner tips
  • Change PTU fluid every 30k miles on AWD models—$150 job that prevents $2,000 failure
  • Watch coolant level obsessively; EcoBoost engines are unforgiving of overheating
  • Carbon cleaning every 60k miles on 2.0L EcoBoost extends engine life significantly
  • Transmission fluid exchange every 40k miles helps prevent torque converter issues
  • Avoid extended idle times and short trips—turbos and direct injection hate that combination
Buy the naturally-aspirated 3.5L V6 if you can find one (fleet models); avoid the 3.5L EcoBoost unless you have deep pockets for potential engine replacement, and budget $2-3k for deferred maintenance on any used example.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
528 jobs across 17 categories
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.
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