2010-2012 Ford Taurus Front vs Rear Brakes: What Wears First and What to Replace

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

On a 2010-2012 Ford Taurus the front brakes almost always wear out first, because the front axle does most of the stopping work every time the car slows down. The rear brakes are discs too, and they also carry the parking brake, so they wear more slowly but tend to fail in different ways: sticking caliper slides, seized pistons and rust on the rotor. Check both ends at every tire rotation and replace pads and rotors as axle sets, never one wheel at a time.

How the 2010-2012 Taurus brake system is laid out

The sixth-generation Taurus uses disc brakes at all four corners with a four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS). Ford's 2010 Taurus Owner's Guide also lists a brake assist function that detects a rapid, panic-style pedal application and uses the ABS hardware to build maximum braking pressure. AdvanceTrac stability control with traction control is standard, and it works by applying individual brakes when the car starts to slide or spin a wheel.

The parking brake is a foot pedal, not an electronic switch. Ford's owner's guide says it applies only the rear brakes, which is why the rear calipers on this car do double duty: they stop the car with hydraulic pressure and they hold it parked with a mechanical cable. The system runs on DOT 3 brake fluid; the owner's guide specifies Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid or an equivalent that meets Ford specification WSS-M6C62-A or WSS-M6C65-A1.

Why the front brakes wear out first

When a Taurus slows down, its weight moves toward the nose. That loads the front tires harder, so engineers size the front brakes to do the larger part of the stopping. More work means more heat and more friction material worn away, so front pads on a daily-driven Taurus are normally the first thing a brake inspection flags. City driving, frequent short stops and heavy loads all speed that up.

That does not mean the rear brakes are maintenance-free. Stability control and traction control on this car apply individual brakes on their own, and rear pads are usually thinner to begin with. A Taurus driven hard through curves or on slick roads can go through rear pads faster than an owner expects. The only way to know is to measure both axles.

Symptoms and how to tell front from rear

Ford's owner's guide is direct on this: occasional brake noise is normal, but a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or continuous squeal means the linings may be worn out, and continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking needs an inspection. Here is how to narrow it down:

• Shake in the steering wheel: points to the front rotors, since the steering is connected to the front hubs.
• Pulsation felt in the seat or pedal but not the wheel: often the rear rotors.
• Grinding from the back after the car sits: rust on the rear rotor faces or a rear caliper that is not releasing fully.
• Pulling to one side under braking: Power Stop lists this as a sign that a caliper is sticking or seizing on that side.
• One pad much thinner than its partner: Power Stop notes this can mean a caliper is not releasing properly. On the rear axle, suspect the slide pins and the parking-brake mechanism.
• BRAKE warning lamp on with the parking brake released: the owner's guide says to have the brake system serviced immediately. Low fluid is a common cause, and the fluid level also drops slowly as pads wear.
• ABS lamp stays on or flashes: the ABS is disabled; normal braking still works, but the system needs service.

Causes of uneven wear on this car

The front-to-rear difference is normal. Side-to-side differences are not. The usual culprits:

• Dry or seized caliper slide pins, which keep one pad dragging on the rotor. Rear calipers run cooler and collect more road salt, so they tend to seize first.
• A rear parking-brake mechanism that does not fully release. The owner's guide warns that driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel economy. A sticking cable or caliper lever does the same thing slowly.
• Worn or missing pad hardware. Power Stop points out that worn or damaged hardware can lead to noise or poor pad performance.
• Rust on the hub face. Wagner notes that rust on the hub can cause runout, which the driver feels as brake pulsation.
• Old fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which is hard on caliper pistons and seals. Follow the fluid service guidance in Ford's maintenance schedule.

What to replace, and what to replace at the same time

Front service. Most Taurus front jobs are pads and rotors together. Replacing both gives the new pads a flat surface to bed into and fixes the steering-wheel shake that comes with uneven rotor thickness. Shop brake pads and brake rotors, or choose ceramic brake pads for low dust and quiet daily driving.

Rear service. Rear pads and rotors usually last longer, but inspect the calipers carefully while the wheels are off. If a rear caliper leaks, will not retract, or has a parking-brake lever that sticks, replace the calipers as a pair. Power Stop recommends pair replacement because a new caliper and an old one may not press the pads with the same force, which can make the car pull. We carry a pair of rear brake calipers with brackets for the 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, and more options are in our brake calipers collection.

Every time, both axles:

• New pad clips and shims from our brake hardware kits, with brake lubricant on the guide pins and pad contact points.
• Clean the hub face before the new rotor goes on.
• Check the rubber brake hoses for cracks or bulges; replacements are in brake hoses.
• Top up or flush with DOT 3 fluid that meets Ford's specification.

How hard is the job

A front pad and rotor job on the Taurus is a reasonable driveway project with basic hand tools, a torque wrench and jack stands. Torque the caliper bracket bolts, caliper bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual.

The rear is where people get stuck. Power Stop's installation guide notes that many rear brake pistons cannot be retracted with a C-clamp because they screw in and out; that type has two recessed notches and needs a caliper piston adjuster tool. Look at the rear piston face before you start. If it has notches, rotate it back in with the tool. Forcing it with a clamp can damage the parking-brake mechanism inside the caliper.

Two more tips from the installation guides: set the parking brake if the rear wheels will stay on the ground while you work on the front, and watch the fluid reservoir as you push pistons back so it does not overflow. When the wheels are back on, pump the pedal until it is firm before you drive. Then bed the new pads in. Wagner describes a 30-30-30 procedure: 30 stops from about 30 mph, with 30 seconds between each stop, to transfer an even layer of pad material onto the rotor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should front brakes wear faster than rear brakes on a 2010-2012 Taurus?

Yes. Weight shifts forward under braking, so the front axle does more of the work and its pads wear first. If the rear pads wear out before the fronts, check for a sticking rear caliper, a dragging parking brake or seized slide pins.

Does the 2010-2012 Taurus have rear drum brakes?

No. It has rear disc brakes, and the foot-pedal parking brake works through the rear brakes, according to Ford's owner's guide.

Do I need to replace all four corners at once?

No. Replace by axle: both fronts together or both rears together. Measure both axles when you do either; if the rear is close to its limit, doing it at the same visit saves a second tear-down.

What brake fluid does the 2010-2012 Taurus use?

DOT 3. Ford specifies Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid or an equivalent meeting WSS-M6C62-A or WSS-M6C65-A1.

Are there brake recalls for the 2010-2012 Ford Taurus?

NHTSA's recall listings for these model years show campaigns for air bags, steering, exterior lighting, door structure and the fuel tank, but no brake system recall. Always check your own VIN on nhtsa.gov, since recall coverage can depend on build date.

Why won't my rear caliper piston push back in?

Rear pistons on calipers with an integrated parking brake often screw in rather than slide. Use a caliper piston adjuster tool to rotate them back. If the piston will not move even with the correct tool, the caliper is seized and should be replaced.

Sources

1. Ford 2010 Taurus Owner's Guide - four-wheel ABS, brake assist, AdvanceTrac, foot-pedal parking brake on the rear brakes, noise and vibration guidance, warning lamps, DOT 3 fluid specification
2. NHTSA - 2010 Ford Taurus recalls and safety information - recall campaigns for 2010-2012 Taurus, none for the brake system
3. Power Stop - Brake Kit Installation Guide - screw-in rear pistons and adjuster tool, reservoir overflow, parking brake, hardware inspection
4. Power Stop - When Should You Change Brake Calipers - sticking caliper symptoms, uneven pad wear, pair replacement
5. Wagner Brake - Replacing Brake Pads and Rotors - hub rust and runout, hardware lubrication, 30-30-30 burnish procedure