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2008 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

162 reports with mileage · 13 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

11 reports
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36,000 miles · Oct 18, 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer advised him to stop driving the vehicle due to corrosion of the subframe, caliper, steering arm, brakes, and a hole in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…

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The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer advised him to stop driving the vehicle due to corrosion of the subframe, caliper, steering arm, brakes, and a hole in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11489738

170,000 miles · Sep 2, 2022
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled however, she was able to pull over and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine temperature gauge was indicating that the engin…

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The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled however, she was able to pull over and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was overheating. The contact observed that white smoke was coming out from under the hood. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to her residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The independent mechanic determined that the head gasket had blown and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11482680

86,341 miles · Nov 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, STOPS RUNNING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSIST TO MANEUVER VEHICLE TO SAFETY. UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. PROBLEM DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF "COIL ON PLUG" IGNITION COILS, WHICH SHORTED OUT PCM/PROCESSOR ASSEMBLY (MAIN COMPUTER). ADDI…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, STOPS RUNNING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSIST TO MANEUVER VEHICLE TO SAFETY. UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. PROBLEM DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF "COIL ON PLUG" IGNITION COILS, WHICH SHORTED OUT PCM/PROCESSOR ASSEMBLY (MAIN COMPUTER). ADDITIONALLY, THIS MIS-FIRING RESULTED IN PARTIAL LOW EFFIENCY IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY IMPAIR VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS: IGNITION COILS (6), SPARK PLUGS (6), AND PCM REPLACEMENT - $2,314.14, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT - $1,589.95, FOR A TOTAL OF $3,904.09 FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST 2010, AND HAS ISSUED TWO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483798

46,000 miles · Feb 21, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE SIMILAR FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE SIMILAR FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10448815

83,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

IT BEGAN WITH ONLY THE WRENCH LIGHT GOING ON AND THE RPM WOULD GO UP AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. I WOULD RESET IT WITH A CODE CHECKER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM AND THE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY RETURN. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE AIR FILTER, THE AIR FILTER WAS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR APP…

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IT BEGAN WITH ONLY THE WRENCH LIGHT GOING ON AND THE RPM WOULD GO UP AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. I WOULD RESET IT WITH A CODE CHECKER AND I WOULD NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM AND THE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY RETURN. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE THE AIR FILTER, THE AIR FILTER WAS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS. NOW NOT ONLY MY WRENCH LIGHT BUT MY ENGINE LIGHT ALSO GOES ON AND IT RETURNS EVERY DAY AFTER RESETTING IT. AFTER I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEMS SEEMS TO APPEAR IN OTHER FORD MODELS. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND EVENTUALLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429470

45,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2008 FORD TAURUS, ENGINE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY. DIED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. ALMOST GOT HIT WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC TWO TIMES, ALSO DIES AT STOP SIGNS AND WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE. IT IS VERY DANGERIOUS BECAUSE DIFFICULT TO STEER WITH ENGINE DEAD. HAD IN SHOP 2 TIMES BUT NO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10414874

32,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, DECELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 8 WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR SPED UP SIGNIFICANTLY PUSHING THE CAR FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED HEAVY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE AND RPM GAUGE KEPT INCREASING TO BETWEEN 1800 AND 2400 RPM'S, FAR FROM THE AVG OF 800 WHEN COMING TO …

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I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, DECELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 8 WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR SPED UP SIGNIFICANTLY PUSHING THE CAR FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH I APPLIED HEAVY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE AND RPM GAUGE KEPT INCREASING TO BETWEEN 1800 AND 2400 RPM'S, FAR FROM THE AVG OF 800 WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPM AND ENGINE SPEED KEPT INCREASING JUST AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. I PUT IT IN PARK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I PULLED THE HANDBREAK AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE KEY OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, THE IDLE WAS NORMAL. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10401878

80,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD TAURUS WITH 80K MILES ON 01-21-11 THE CAR STARTED MISSING. DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO MY MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS WAS A BADLY BURNT COIL ON THE #2 CYLINDER. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE #2 CYLINDER AND SPARK PLUGS MY MECHANIC MADE ME AWARE THAT THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND WHILE THAT IS T…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD TAURUS WITH 80K MILES ON 01-21-11 THE CAR STARTED MISSING. DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO MY MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS WAS A BADLY BURNT COIL ON THE #2 CYLINDER. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE #2 CYLINDER AND SPARK PLUGS MY MECHANIC MADE ME AWARE THAT THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND WHILE THAT IS TAKING PLACE I SHOULD HAVE A TUNEUP SINCE ONE IS RECOMMENDED AT 90K ANYWAY. COIL IN THE #2 CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND TUNEUP COMPLETED AND CAR WAS STILL MISSING. FURTHER DIAGNOSIS SHOWED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED WHEN THE COIL BURNT OUT AND FOR THE CAR TO RUN AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO IT WILL ALSO NEED THIS COMPUTER. SO I AM GOING TO INCUR A $1000.00 OR MORE IN EXPENSE BECAUSE MY EXCELLENT CONDITION 08', 80,0000 MILE CAR IS MISSING. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS THIS MUCH POSSIBLE DAMAGE AND EXPENSE TO HAPPEN WHEN A COIL GOES BAD IS A FLAWED SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378459

78,682 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ENTERING I 70 EAST IN COLUMBUS OHIO OFF THE JAMES ROAD EXIT, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO THE OUTSIDE LANE. I SPED UP TO ADJUST MY SPEED, AS A VEHICLE WAS IN THE SAME LANE. WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OVER AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND REVVED UP HIGH AND FAST. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO HIT THE BRAKES,…

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I WAS ENTERING I 70 EAST IN COLUMBUS OHIO OFF THE JAMES ROAD EXIT, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO THE OUTSIDE LANE. I SPED UP TO ADJUST MY SPEED, AS A VEHICLE WAS IN THE SAME LANE. WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OVER AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND REVVED UP HIGH AND FAST. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO HIT THE BRAKES, I DID, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT DEPRESS OR BRAKE. I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF EVERYTHING TO DO AND MONITOR THE CARS AROUND ME, AS WELL. I TRIED HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKES HARD AND TAKING OFF WHILE THE CAR WENT FLYING BY TWO EXITS, I KNEW I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT BECAUSE I COULDN'T STOP. I CONTINUED WITH TRYING TO LOCATE THE FLASHER AND THINKING ABOUT HITTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT, I DIDN'T BECAUSE I WAS UNSURE WHETHER IT WOULD COME TO A QUICK STOP. I KEPT PUSHING DOWN AND UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY, THE REVVING BEGAN TO SETTLE DOWN (A FAST DOWNWARD REVVING SOUND) AND I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE THE CAR. I WAS UNSURE WHETHER TO PULL OVER SO I DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO MY DESTINATION WHICH WAS ONLY 3 EXITS AWAY. I PARKED AND LOOKED AT THE CAR AND ESPECIALLY THE AREA NEAR MY FEET, THERE WAS NOTHING INTERFERING WITH THE BRAKES OR THE ACCELERATOR. I PANICKED ALL THE WAY HOME, NOT KNOWING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN SO I STAYED OFF THE FREEWAY, BELIEVING THE FREEWAY SPEED WOULD CAUSE A SIMILAR ISSUE. AS SOON AS I GOT HOME, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND SOME SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WILL CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW. I HAD A PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRANSMISSION STOPPING ON THE FREEWAY AND DISENGAGING WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I STOPPED. WHEN I WOULD PULL OVER AND SWITCH THE GEARS, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A LOUD DROPPING SOUND. AND IT WOULD BE DIFFICULTY TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CAR SHIFTS AT TIMES AND KICKS BACK. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR BUT, IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE COMPLETELY. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. I HOPE THEY WILL FIND SOMETHING, AS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AFTER TONIGHTS EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301812

30,988 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

USAA FLEET VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN NORMAL OPERATION ON A DOWNTOWN STREET IN GA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235104

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