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2008 Ford Taurus X

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 16 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

10 reports
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109,000 miles · Dec 16, 2021
Electrical System

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11444020

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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 suddenl…

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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 ford recall in 2020 ( which didn’t include the Taurus X) and previous recalls . This drivertrain transmission has been an issue for the Taurus X since forever . Please check into this. Last thing we need is whiplash or life flights from this .

NHTSA ODI #11437440

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11034289

104,500 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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 M…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10947761

153,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

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 DI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10876102

143,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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 T…

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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).

NHTSA ODI #10782700

80,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Electrical SystemStructureFire

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. A FIRE WAS REPORTED TO MY SON WHO BORROWED IT FOR WORK. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE REMAINING FIRE. IN THEIR REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND STARTED UNDER THE FRONT DA…

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VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. A FIRE WAS REPORTED TO MY SON WHO BORROWED IT FOR WORK. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE REMAINING FIRE. IN THEIR REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND STARTED UNDER THE FRONT DASH. THE MIDDLE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH IS COMPLETE DESTROYED AND MELTED. LOCAL FORD DEALER, BYERLY FORD ESTIMATED $4600 OF DAMAGE. ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS TOO INTENSE AND CAUSE SO MUCH HEAT DAMAGE THAT A CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER OR DESIGN ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PROCEED WITH ANY ACTION. CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563965

98,000 miles · May 18, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY- I NOTICED THAT STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED PRIOR TO INSERTING KEY. INSERTED KEY, TURNED TO START AND NO RESPONSE FROM IGNITION. KEPT TURNING STEERING COLUMN AND DECIDED TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES. I RETURNED TO PARK-ING THE CAR AND REMOVED THE KEY. INITIALLY, STEERING COLU…

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BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY- I NOTICED THAT STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED PRIOR TO INSERTING KEY. INSERTED KEY, TURNED TO START AND NO RESPONSE FROM IGNITION. KEPT TURNING STEERING COLUMN AND DECIDED TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES. I RETURNED TO PARK-ING THE CAR AND REMOVED THE KEY. INITIALLY, STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED, THEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE COLUMN LOCKED. TURNED THE KEY AND THE IGNITION HESITATED- THE DIALS WERE JUMPING. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THE ENGINE TURNED OVER AND DIALS WENT TO NORMAL. I COMMENCED TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY- THE ENGINE RPM JUMPED, FAR MORE THEN WHAT I WAS APPLYING ACCELERATION FOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS HESITANT ( CLUNKING WAS AUDIBLE). THE VEHICLE REVERSED TOO RAPIDLY AND I APPLIED QUITE A BIT OF BRAKE TO STOP- I SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND AGAIN I COULD HEAR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HESITATED TO GO FORWARD ( TRANSMISSION WAS CLUNKING), JERKING FORWARD AND SLOWING DOWN AND THE ENGINE RPM WAS ERRATIC. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL; WAITED A MINUTE WHICH DURING THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE RPM WENT TO NORMAL. OK, I PLACED GEAR IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SOME OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED EVENTS HAPPENING SINCE ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE. AT THIS MOMENT, STEERING COLUMN IS NOT LOCKED WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND WHEN TURNING CAR TO START THE IGNITION IS JUST TURNING OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512645

50,506 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND STALLED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. SEVERAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUS…

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THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AND STALLED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. SEVERAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE INTERSTATE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A STANDARD COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INFORMED US THAT THE COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A REASON FOR THIS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. WE CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION AND WERE ADVISED TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM RECURRED. IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER LOSS OF POWER WE WERE ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP SO THE PROBLEM COULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447240

45,215 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

MY CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. MY MECHANIC HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND TESTED REPEATEDLY AND COULD NOT FIND A REASON AND COULD NOT MAKE THE EVENT REOCCUR. I DRIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

NHTSA ODI #10374153

Official recalls

1

16V247000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 26, 2016

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO