2008 Ford Taurus X

Routine

Owners filed 153 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,660 milesMedian miles at failure

137 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.

Most common 2008 Ford Taurus X problems

41 of the 153 complaints (27%) are about the steering.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering40
100
Power Train · transmission22
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration12
100
Structure › Body · body and frame8
000
Electrical System8
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission7
000
Tires5
000
Service Brakes · brakes5
010
Engine5
010
Unknown or Other4
001

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal16V247000
Filed Apr 26, 2016695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Jul 17, 2025MN

All 5 rear seatbelts have cracked plastic around the metal piece that buckles in.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 5, 2022ME

This has happened since we purchased the car. when driving down the road out of the blue the wrench light on the dash turns on and the car loses all power!! Dangerous! So dangerous. i have spoken with other foes tauras x owners and they too have the same issue. When it happens i pull over and shut the car off and wait a bit.. I turn it back on and the wrench light is off BUT CAR WONT SHIFT INTO GEAR!! it's very hard to get the shifter to move. when it does move it's a loud CLUNK CLUNk sound like u just dropped the transmission on the ground!! This is happening more often then not now. Hundreds of thousands of people who own this vehicle have complaints about the same issue. NO one can figure out the issue! Some say a sensor, yet a sensor would not make my transmission clunk like that! A lot say it's the control arm and ford has had the wrong control arm installed in all there does tauras x"s 2007 and 2009. My car has 77,609 miles on it. it's been doing this for the past 40,000 miles! I'm truely scared to drive this car aspecially in the winter!! FORD YOU already have been told and are well aware of this issue ! Fix it or get sued by tens of thousands of us all petitioning to do so and all together as a group. so buckle up Ford!

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 2021109,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus X. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's daughter was able unable to pull over but was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing spark plugs, coolant, and radiator replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 20, 2021FL

I bought this vehicle used from a lot. It had 2 previous owners and came with all the service history. I first noticed the vehicle seemed like it didn’t want to go into overdrive . It would get to about 70 mph which would have the rpm’s at 3k! The 2nd time or so that we got it to these speeds (on interstate) the vehicle suddenly clunked , steering wheel jerked , vehicle lost power - I had my 2 children in the vehicle and I was pregnant. We had to pull over immediately . After sitting side the road for a few , it crunk up and we rode out . Only for it to happen 2 more times. And this is not the only thing effected by this . Not long after I got it , I started noticing a hard shift / clunk / slam when going into gear and especially when the vehicle has just tried to downshift and I pressed the gas again . Due to this , I’m unable to tell when and if we can pull out into traffic and such. I must time it good in order to not risk getting T boned etc. Also, with 3 kids in tow , a vehicle slamming their necks and heads is dangerous and scary. So , I’ve had some work done on . Trying to help my issue. Apparently my issue is the same as a lot of others . Which is an intermittent issue . And apparently no matter if all the passed recalls were addressed. Or if the owners of the vehicle serviced it often and currant . Or if the pcm was reflashed , replaced etc - the Ford Taurus X will continue to have these issues . And these issues seem to be the same issues that were addressed in the

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 22, 2021140,000 milesDE

THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL COME ON AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE GO TO ZERO. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017 AND IT ONLY HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER! THIS IS A SCARY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THIS OCCURS. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX? ALSO THERE'S A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE SOMETIMES THAT SOUNDS LIKE IS COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN TENTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. TO MANY TO REMEMBER ALL THE DATES!

Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2021100,274 milesMI

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT, OUR CAR MADE A POP SOUND AND SUDDENLY LURCHED AND STEERING WAS IMPAIRED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRONT SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH INTERNALLY CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO BREAK AWAY AND IT HAD PERFORATED AROUND THE MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THE CONTROL ARM DIDN'T COMPLETELY DROP OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE SUBFRAME RECALL. DEALER TECHNICIAN SAID HE HAS REPLACED A LOT OF THESE ENGINE CRADLES IN THE TAURUS X'S FOR THE SAME FAILURE (SOME WORSE THAN OURS, COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF ETC.). LACK OF SUFFICIENT PAINT INSIDE OF THE CRADLES CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE ARE ACCIDENTS REPORTED FOR THIS CONCERN. I HAVE REQUESTED THE ENGINE CRADLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT IS REMOVED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE.

Power Train
Filed Dec 24, 2020162,000 milesWI

TRANSMISSION STUCK IN HIGH GEAR WHILE IN MOTION. CAN'T ACCELERATE FROM STOP TO MAINTAIN SPEED. POWER CYCLE FIXED. INTERMITTENT ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 28, 2020142,000 milesVA

WITHIN 24 HOURS, TWICE THE CAR SUDDENLY DISPLAYED "EMPY" FUEL GUAGE AND HAVING ZERO MILES ON THE RANGE ESTIMATOR DESPITE HAVING ROUGHLY HALF A TANK OF GAS. ONE TIME, SHORTLY AFTER DISPLAYING "EMPTY" DESPITE HAVING HALF A TANK, THE CAR CUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 28, 202065,000 milesMI

HAD TO SHELL OUT $528.06 TO REPLACE BOTH THE 'INPUT & OUTPUT SHIFT SENORS' IN THE VEHICLE. REPAIR INVOLVED REMOVING THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR ACCESS. MAJORITY OF THE COST INVOLVE THE LABOR TO REACH THIS AREA ON TRANS. A MONTH EARLIER TRANS LOCKED UP IN LOW GEAR, DASH LIGHTS WERE FLASHING? SHUT OFF ENGINE & RESTARTED. RAN OK THEN. SAFETY ISSUE! RECALL IS IN ORDER!

Power Train
Filed Mar 25, 20201 milesFL

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WONT CHANGE GEARS

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 5, 2020180,000 milesIN

CAR SHUT OFF 3 MINUTES AFTER STARTING IT. I RESTART IT THEN IT SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER 5 MINUTES. DROVE THE ABOUT HOUR AND HALF NO PROBLEM. 2 HOURS LATER DROVE CAR A FEW BLOCKS SHUT OFF AGAIN LUCKILY I WAS PULLING BACK UP TO MY HOUSE. NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 17, 2019153,000 milesCT

A FUEL SENSOR FAILED RECENTLY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME THERE WAS MORE THAN HALF A TANK OF GASOLINE ONBOARD. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP COMPLETELY WHILE ON A FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 2019202,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN ON APPROXIMATELY JULY 3, 2019 AND WAS OCCURRING DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 1, 201992,000 milesTN

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 WRECKS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY THE CAR DOES NOT STOP THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JD BYRIDER.THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS MEANING STOPPING BUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME. I HAD MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR ON EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED AND I FILL IF I CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH THESE PROBLEMS SOMETHING SERIOUS IS GOING TO HAPPPEN NEXT TIME.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 21, 201964,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FOR THE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH IMPAIRED HIS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 18, 201977,000 milesKY

WHEN VEHICLE GETS BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, WILL NOT GEAR UP PROPERLY AND WILL NOT RUN CORRECTLY. ONLY DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY, AND YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, UNHOOK BATTERY CABLE, GIVE IT A MINUTE, HOOK IT BACK UP AND IT WILL RUN FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT- WHICH COULD BE DAYS, WEEKS, EVEN MONTHS.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 30, 2019189,000 milesAL

WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE CAR WAS IN STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION ON A STREET PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE APPLIED, AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. WE WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND IMMEDIATELY TURN TO THE RIGHT AND AVOIDED ANY ACCIDENT.

Seats
Filed Dec 3, 201880,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS COULD NOT BE FOLDED DOWN IN ORDER TO LET THE THIRD ROW OCCUPANTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HINES FORD (12610 FORD DR, FISHERS, IN) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED SIMILAR INCIDENT REPORTED ON THE INTERNET.*JB

Steering
Filed Nov 5, 2018136,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON CITY STREETS WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, EVEN USING ALL MY STRENGTH. I COULD NOT HAVE REACTED TO ANY OBSTACLE THAT SUDDENLY PRESENTED ITSELF, AND I COULD HARDLY MAKE TURNS, EVEN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Steering
Filed Mar 27, 2018125,000 milesME

STEER HARD RIGHT AND LEFT AT SLOW SPEED IN CITY DRIVING. AT FIRST IT STEERS HARD THEN SMOOTH AND YOU CAN OVER STEER . THE STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED & STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED AS WELL. HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.GETTING WORSE

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 8, 201894,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD LINCOLN OF COOKEVILLE (1600 INTERSTATE DR., COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 284-4509), BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, BUT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 8, 201895,836 milesTN

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF AND I COULDN'T GET CAR TO STOP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE APPLYING THE BREAK. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME .SINCE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE A RECALL PROBLEM TO ME. CAR TRIES TO DRIVE ITSELF!!!

Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2017VA

WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE 2016 TO TED BRITT FORD AND TO FORD ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE JERKING, POPPING, SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE COMPLAINED. AT ONE POINT THE SERVICE TECH TOLD US THAT SLIPPING, JERKING, AND POPPING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS NORMAL FOR THE TAURUS X. ON 10/20/2017, WE BROKE DOWN ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO BUCKLE AND CHOKE. THEN WE HAD SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED ON THE FLASHERS. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT IT. WE WERE FORCED TO BUY THIS CAR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT TED BRITT SABOTAGED OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. TED BRITT SABOTAGED OUR WINDSTAR THROUGH DISCONNECTING THE VACUUM LINE THAT FED THE HEATING AND AC. WE WENT FOR THREE YEARS FREEZING IN THE WINTER AND BOILING HOT IN THE SUMMER. THEY DID NOT WANT TO RECONNECT THAT LINE FOR OUR HEAT AND AC. THEY DISASSEMBLED A LOT OF OUR WINDSTAR AND THREW EVERYTHING IN THE BACK OF OUR VAN ONTO THE CLOTH SEATS. DASHBOARD, COWL, GRILL, HOOD WAS OFF THE VAN, TIRES, BRAKE LINES, ENGINE PARTS, AND OTHER PARTS WERE THROWN ONTO OUR CLOTH BACK SEATS. THEY MADE OUR TAN SEATS BLACK WITH THE ROAD GRIME AND GREASE. THEN THEY DECIDED TO ASK US IF WE WANTED OUR VAN BACK. THAT WAS VERY RUDE. WE HAD JUST CLEANED TH

Electrical System
Filed Oct 18, 2017FL

THE ACCELERATION SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON. THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS MIS CHARGE.

Engine
Filed Oct 4, 201757,945 milesIN

THE FORD TAURUS X HAS 57,945 MILES ON IT. TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE DASH SHOWED ALL ZEROS AND THE CAR LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR EXHIBITED SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNUSUAL SHIFTING. I TOOK IT AND HAD THE OBD CODE READ. THE CODE INDICATED THAT IT WAS A SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION (P720). THE CODE WAS RESET AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING DRIVEN. IT HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD. I OWN TWO 2008 FORD TAURUS AND IT HAPPENED ON THE SAME DAY TO BOTH OF THEM. I WILL BE FILING INCIDENT INFORMATION ON THE OTHER VEHICLE TOO.

Steering
Filed Jun 28, 201713,500 milesVA

2008 FORD TAURUS X 135000 MILES VEHICLE STARTED BEING DIFFICULT TO TURN EITHER WAY. MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS WERE ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. ALL FLUID LEVELS WERE GOOD. CHANGED OUT THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. IT OCCURS MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT ALSO OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS ONLINE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WE OBVIOUSLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO STEER TO DRIVE AND ALSO QUICKLY AVOID ANY HAZARDS ON THE ROAD AND WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 2017104,500 milesVA

HOOD RELEASED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. COMPUTER REPORTED A TIRE SENSOR INFLATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. AIR PRESSURE WAS FINE. POPPING, LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING HAS RETURNED EVEN AFTER IT WAS SERVICED DUE TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN THE SUSPENSION, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FORWARD. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD. WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THE BACK ROADS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE WINDOW. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER MIRROR GRINDS AND POPS WHILE MOVING IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 26, 201734,500 milesWI

POWER STEERING HAS NOW FAILED TWICE ONCE IN 2012 AND NOW IN 2017. COMPLETE RACK & PINION WAS REPLACED IN 2012 WITH 34800 MILES, 2ND FAILURE IS NOW 1/22/2017 AT 108000 MILES. NOW REPLACING STEERING RACK AND RETURN LINE. 1ST CASE EXITING HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH COULD NOT TURN WHEEL OR TURN RIGHT. COULD ONLY MAKE LEFT TURNS. 2ND CASE LEAKING FLUID AND MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. 1ST WAS VERY SCARY, THOUGHT WE WOULD CRASHING EXITING EXPRESS WAY. CALL FORD CS AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO 4 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 360000 MILES. 2ND WAS LESS SCARY BUT DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TOOK 5 DAYS TO GET SERVICE BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, TO FAR TO DRIVE TO A FORD DEALER. NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THIS HAPPENING TWICE AND VERY EXPENSIVE OVER $3000 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 1, 2016125,000 milesWI

THE AIR DOOR POSITION MOTOR MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND ONLY WORKS ON THE CENTER VENTS. NO WAY TO DEFROST THE WINDOW. COOL NIGHT WINDOW FOGGED UP AND CAN'T GET AIR TO THE WINDSHIELD TO CLEAR OFF. VERY DANGEROUS.!!!!!

Steering
Filed Aug 10, 201657,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A HOSE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN PREMATURELY DETERIORATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 3, 2016165,000 milesKY

W DRIVING AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP. THE LITTLE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON THE CODE IS P0715. TSS SENSOR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP ONCE THIS HAPPENS AND THE LIGHT IS ON, AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE ALL MY FAMILY WAS IN CAR. IF I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHT WILL RESET ITS SELF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING. MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING IN THIS TRANSMISSION. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 25, 2016110,000 milesFL

WHILE AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHMY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN THROWN INTO TRAFFIC DUE TO THE INDEPENDENT ACCELERATED. AFTER THIS HAPPENING SEVRAL TIMES AND PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALER AND THEN TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALER.THE FORD DEALER STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ALOT AND THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE THRODDEL BODY. HOWEVER, I HAD TO STILL PAY $700.00 TO HAVE THEIR KNOWN PROBLEM FIXED. CAR MILEAGE 113,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 23, 2016153,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ACCELERATION FAILED. WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED, THE FAILURE WENT AWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.

Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2016MO

STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS BEEN LIKE I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING BUT THEN GOT TIRES CHECKED OUT OK THEN STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT AND FOUND OUT THE RACK AND PINION VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND ALMOST BROKE MY WRIST

Service BrakesFire
Filed May 16, 2016155,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REVVED TO AN EXCESSIVE RPM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 29, 201660,808 milesIL

PROBLEM 1, PAINT PEELING OFF HOOD AND ROUGH METAL UNDER PROBLEM 2, TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING WHILE UNDER WARRENTY, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ANY CODES TO SHOW PROBLEM THIS, HAS CONTINUED TO PRESENT. WAS NOTIFED THIS WEEK BY DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED, BUT BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU TURN OFF THE CAR THE CODES RESET. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALER DO NOT WANT TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS OF OVER $4500.00. BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 75,000 MILES AND PROBLEM FIRST DOCUMENTED ON THERE FORMS WAS AT 60,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD DOWN SHIFT AND JERK. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME AND EACH TIME TOOK TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE BUT AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WOULD.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 8, 2016166,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COILS ON CYLINDERS 3 AND 5 HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COILS ON CYLINDERS 3 AND 5 HAD MELTED YET AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 10, 201686,000 milesIL

ONGOING TRANSMISSION UPSHIFT PROBLEMS. UPON LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY FIRST THING, OR SOON AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES REFUSES TO UP SHIFT THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR AT HIGH RPM. DEALER/OTHER MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 2 TSB ON THESE 6F50 TRANSMISSIONS. WORSE IN COLDER MONTHS AND SOMEWHAT RANDOM. BESIDES THE CUMULATIVE DAMAGE THIS IS DOING WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL ENTIRELY AT THE EXACT WRONG TIME (WAITING TO TURN LEFT IN AN INTERSECTION, WAITING TO ENTER HIGHWAY ETC) RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY. RESEARCHING ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TRANSMISSION TYPE ( SEE HTTP://WWW.FORDTAURUS.NET/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=30&T=15703&START=80 ) AND ESPECIALLY THE 2008 TAURUS X MODEL YEAR. THE 2008 FORD TAURUS X WAS A DESIGN REFRESH OF THE FORD FREESTYLE, WHICH WAS LATER DROPPED BY FORD IN 2009. SINCE THERE ARE FEWER MODELS ON THE ROAD THERE ARE FEWER DATAPOINTS--BUT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEMS AMONGST THE OWNERS (AGAIN PLEASE SEE THE LINK). A COMMON THREAD ONLINE IS THAT ANY REPAIRS AT THE DEALER ARE NOT EFFECTIVE (PCM REFLASH TSB 08-26-13; TSS, OSS SENSOR REPLACEMENT TSB 07-21-11 ) AND THE ONLY FIX IS A $6000 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT UPON TOTAL MECHANICAL FAILURE. CLEARLY, THERE IS A ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN A CRITICAL COMPONENT--THE POWER TRAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

Power Train
Filed Dec 22, 201564,000 milesTX

THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES IN THE PAST 14 MONTHS. WHEN PULLING ONTO A ROAD FROM A STATIONARY POSITION (LIKE FROM A DRIVEWAY OR GAS STATION), THE TRANSMISSION HAD A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AROUND FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. IT FELT AS IF THERE WERE ROCKS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEN, AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, IT WOULD BE BACK TO NORMAL. I TRIED TAKING IT TO THE PEGUES HURST DEALERSHIP BUT SINCE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAY THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE TAURUS X HAS ABOUT 64,000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. IT MOST RECENTLY HAPPENED ON ABOUT DECEMBER 7TH 2015. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS.

Steering
Filed Dec 22, 2015IL

2008 FORD TAURUS X. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING LOCKING UP. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AT TIMES, WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION. *JB

Power Train
Filed Oct 30, 201576,000 milesMD

FOR THE PAST 2-3 YEAR, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING. TOOK THE CAR INTO FORD DEALERSHIP, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD BY SERVICE TECH, MECHANIC DID NOT NOTICE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN BACKING UP AND STRUGGLES TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY. ABS BRAKE SYSTEM KICKS IN FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN DRIVING. GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEEL ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD NO POWER STEERING, NEED BALL BEARING REPLACEMENT AND NEED NEW/ REBUILT TRANSMISSION. COMPLETELY DISGUSTED AS THE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. WHY CANT SIMILARLY SITUATED OWNERS OF THE FORD TAURUS-X SEEM TO GET THE NHTSA TO TAKE ANY REAL ACTION ON OUR BEHALF? I'M CONFUSED. PLEASE HELP!!!

Seats
Filed Oct 30, 2015260,000 milesWV

LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BACK(2/3RDS BENCH) WILL NOT RELEASE. THE RESULT OF THIS IS LOSS OF ABILITY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM 3RD ROW SEATING. CAN ONLY EXIT FROM THE SMALLER 1/3RD BENCH SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF REDUCED ABILITY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE OR TO BE RESCUED FROM 3RD ROW SEATING AREA.

Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2015161,000 milesOK

WHEN TURNING FROM EITHER A PARKED OR STOPPED POSITION THE STEERING FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS STUCK IN WHATEVER DIRECTION I AM STEERING AND I HAVE TO HELP THE STEERING GO BACK INTO A STRAIGHT POSITION THIS I FEEL IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I NOT ONLY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK I ALSO HAVE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN IT AS WELL. NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE IF NOT AND THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN A FATALITY THERE IS A HUGE LAWSUIT COMING YOUR WAY FORD

Electrical System
Filed Oct 16, 2015143,000 milesFL

WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS ON A 2008 FORD TAURUS X WITH 143000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SHUTTERING AND SHIFTING ROUGHLY FOR THE PAST 30000 MILES OR SO. RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF, THE MILES UNTIL EMPTY READING DROPPED TO 0 (3/4 TANK OF GAS REMAINED), AND THE VEHICLE WOULD REV BUT ONLY GO 2-3 MPH. I ENTERED SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS INTO GOOGLE AND FOUND MANY MESSAGE BOARD ENTERIES REFERENCING THIS ISSUE. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS FORD DOES NOT TO APPEAR TO FIX THE ISSUE SHORT OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION ($4000).

Steering
Filed Aug 27, 2015116,804 milesOH

EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT "SHUDDER" IN STEERING SYSTEM WHEN CORNERING AND/OR MANEUVERING INTO PARKING SPACES; THIS CONDITION PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND FINALLY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING SYSTEM ALMOST RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOTICED LARGE PUDDLE OF ATF/POWER STEERING FLUID UNDER VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AND THE STEERING RACK HOUSING HAD LEAKING SEAL WHERE MAIN STEERING SHAFT ENTERED HOUSING LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING RACK CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE (SEE: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10468922; DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 08/02/2012; DATE OF INCIDENT: 07/30/2012; COMPONENT(S): STEERING). BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO FORD DEALER (BRONDES FORD, MAUMEE, OH) FOR SERVICE. ENTIRE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST EXCEEDING $1,000. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR STEERING RACK DUE TO THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE ALONE DUE TO THE VERY NATURE OF THIS FAILURE - ANYTHING STEERING/SUSPENSION/BRAKE-RELATED SHOULD BE SUBJECT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION FOR RECALL. FT

Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2015114,412 milesMD

AS I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS AND BACKING IN TO PARK MY 2008 FORD TAURUS X, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND REQUIRED A GOOD BIT OF EFFORT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR EVALUATION. FORD DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN (RACK & PINION) AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP & RESERVOIR. PRIOR TO THE INITIAL COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE IN DECEMBER OF 2014, I HAD COMPLAINED TO FORD NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE STEERING AND HAD HAD THE RACK & PINION UNIT & POWER STEERING PUMPS REPLACED (AT 100268 MILES) IN FEBRUARY OF 2013! IN DECEMBER 2014 THEY QUOTED AN ASTRONOMICAL PRICE TO AGAIN REPAIR MY CAR, AT WHICH POINT, I TOOK IT ELSEWHERE AND ORDERED THE PARTS ON-LINE. FAST FORWARD 6-MONTHS LATER (JUNE 8, 2015) AND MY STEERING HAS AGAIN FAILED WITH THE SAME ISSUE - POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE PARTS ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED THE PUMP - WHICH THEY STATED WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL, BUT MY STEERING IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'M MAKING THIS REPAIR, CLEARLY IT'S A SYMPTOM AND NOT THE REAL ISSUE. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM?!

Steering
Filed Jun 10, 201584,600 milesWV

WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A NINETY DEGREE TURN RIGHT OR LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PULLING OUT WHILE MAKING A TURN, I LOSE POWER STEERING AND ONLY HAVE MANUAL STEERING. I ALMOST HIT A CAR OR THE CORNER OF THE ROAD/BUILDING AS USING ALL MY STRENGTH, I CANNOT MAKE A SHARP TURN. I HAVE TO BACK UP AND MAKE WIDE TURNS. I AM NOT DRIVING THIS CAR MUCH AS AFRAID I WILL LOSE STEERING AT A HIGHER SPEED. IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO PARK AT SLOW SPEEDS AS I COMPLETELY LOSE THE POWER ASSISTED POWER STEERING AND I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING IN MANUAL MODE--CAN BARELY TURN THE WHEEL USING ALL MY STRENGTH AT 1 MILE PER HOUR. I LEARNED THAT FORD HAS RECALLED THOUSANDS OF CARS FOR THIS RECENTLY AND ONLINE BLOGS SHOW THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING FOR THIS MODEL.

Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2015121,000 milesNH

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AN HOUR I LOST MY POWER STEERING. MY VEHICLE STEERS VERY HARD AND IS EXTREMELY HARD WHILE TRYING TO PARK CAR. RIGHT TURNS ARE HARDER THAN LEFT TURNS. THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO MANEUVER AROUND SHARP TURNS AND CORNERS. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD RACK AND PINION (STEERING GEAR) AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD CONCERN.

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2015125,000 milesMN

WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. AFTER GETTING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND CHECKED THE POWER STEERING BELTS AND FLUID. BOTH WERE FINE. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN SO I DROVE HOME. THE STEERING WORKED FINE UNTIL ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE WHEN IT FAILED AGAIN. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 3, 2015108,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Complaints 1-50 of 153, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200911100Routine
2008 — this page153140Routine

Compare every Taurus X year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 26, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.