FordTaurus2004Overview/ford/taurus/2004/base/

2004 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Ford Taurus is a full‑size passenger car built on the Taurus platform and equipped with a 5.5‑quart oil capacity using 5W‑20 API viscosity oil, paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission. Its EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and a combined 20 mpg reflect the efficiency of its drivetrain, while the model’s reliability record shows 375 owner complaints, most frequently concerning vehicle speed control, and two recalls issued for the year. When viewed against the broader 1990‑2019 Taurus line, the 2004 model sits well after the peak complaint year of 1993 (1,822 complaints) and well before the low point of 2019 (11 complaints), indicating a moderate position in the model’s overall reliability trajectory.

Model year20192018201720162015201420132004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 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 OHV · 540 OHV 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 OHV · 540 OHV CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight3307 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume17 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.

5.2–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2013 SHO Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002SEL Sedan 3.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec155 hpFWD
2000SE Sedan 3.0L V68.10 sec16.10 sec145 hpFWD
2000SE Sedan 3.0L V68.30 sec16.30 sec145 hpFWD
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V66.80 sec15.50 sec263 hpFWD
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V67.20 sec15.70 sec263 hpAWD
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V67.50 sec16.00 sec263 hpAWD
2008X Limited Wagon 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec263 hpFWD
2010SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.70 sec365 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 21 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts13-16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.60 oz
Optional BCI Group Number36R OHV, Optional
Optional BCI Cranking Performance600 OHV, Optional cca
Standard BCI Group Number36R OHV

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature2
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)39.0-65.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)39.0-55.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure11 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket76 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle95 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.140 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.974 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2Turn 90 degrees.90 degrees
3Loosen 1 turn.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees.90 degrees
690 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
159 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
2mum of one full turn
333-41 ft. lbs.33–41 ft. lbs
463-73
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 1 turn.
322 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.90 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
18 ft. lbs., step 2: 178 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miTransmission 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 2004 Taurus sits within a generation that saw complaint volumes peak at 1,471 in 2002 before declining, and its 375 complaints represent a sharp drop from the 1,223 recorded in 2003. Recalls also fell to just 2 in 2004, down from 4 the prior year and well below the generation’s high of 10 in 2001, while investigations held steady at 3. However, the subsequent 2005 model year saw complaints rebound to 774, suggesting the 2004 low may be an outlier rather than a sustained improvement. Vehicle Speed Control was the dominant issue area with 120 complaints, and the year recorded 36 crash-related and 13 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Overall, the 2004 Taurus appears to be a relatively favorable year within a troubled generation, but a buyer should still investigate the vehicle’s speed control history.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
375
Owner complaints
36 involved a crash · 13 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 375 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control120
Power Train56
Air Bags17
Electrical System12
Engine & Engine Cooling12
Suspension8
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine7
Steering6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

04V330000Seats:Front Assembly:Power AdjustReported 08/07/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
06072006-12-06Power TrainEXTENDED 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Taurus take?

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

Does the 2004 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.