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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

Steering complaints

42 reports
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100,274 miles · Jan 21, 2021
SteeringSuspension

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11389333

136,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Steering

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.

NHTSA ODI #11145308

125,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #11081594

13,500 miles · Jun 28, 2017
Steering

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 SPE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11002007

34,500 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Steering

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10947831

57,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016
Steering

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 APP…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10894824

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2016
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10872293

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2015
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10694541

161,000 miles · Oct 17, 2015
Steering

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10783057

116,804 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Steering

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 FLUI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10759790

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