Ford · Taurus · 2008
1
Recall
175
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Ford Taurus has 1 recall and 175 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: steering (34 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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."
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt had failed to unbuckle and was previously repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously rear-ended on several occasions, and the air bags did not deploy. The contact had sustained severe back injuries that had become permanent. The contact had received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene on each occasion. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle responded as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
My son was in an accident to where the whole front end was smashed and neither airbag deployed
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle became inoperable. The contact shifted into park and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated while reversing, she heard an abnormal sound. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the power train not being connected to the solenoids. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,367.
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.
only regular maintenence < drove to desination and parked car and car set on fire , at first it was smoking so we called the fire department and by the time they got there the flames were 10 ft high and the whole front was burnt and melted my car ia junk now , before this all gauges worked jst fine and nothing un-ordinary stuff going on
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YRS BUT WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT MY CAR SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD. IT DIDN'T GO.TO FAR. MAYBE A FT OR 2 BUT WAS ENOUGH TO SCARE ME. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. IT WILL ALSO GET STUCK IN GEARS AND LOSE POWER ON THE ROAD. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS OF NOW. ONE LIGHT DID COME ON TODAY WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND WITHOUT NOTICE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. IT WAS THE POWER THROTTLE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND IT DROVE FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. IT DID JERK ONCE. THE GEAR SHIFTING AND LOSS OF POWER HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the subframe was completely rusted through. The vehicle was towed and diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
THE CAR LOOSES POWER. THE RPM GO UP BUT SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T MOVE. DASH SHOWS DASHES. WHEN YOU STOP AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR DRIVES FINE
I DON'T KNOW THE KEYLESS ENTRY CODE. *TR
THE CAR LOOSES POWER. THE RPM GO UP BUT SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T MOVE. DASH SHOWS DASHES. WHEN YOU STOP AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR DRIVES FINE. *TR
2008 TAURUS, BOUGHT NEW 11/7/7, 33 MILES. 11/12/13 REPAIR ' 31,682 MILES ' RACK AND PINION STEERING STARTED TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED FOR $889.82, NOT UNDER WARRANTY; FORD COVERED NONE OF THE COST. 1/2/20 REPAIR ' 65,691 MILES ' RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER A 30-MILE DRIVE. REPLACED FOR $954.87 PLUS TAX. FORD COVERED NONE OF THE COST.
ON 5/20/19 I FILLED UP MY FUEL TANK AND WHEN I RETURNED HOME I SMELLED GASOLINE. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON TO THE GROUND. I IMMEDIATELY PUT DOWN ABSORBENT, PARKED THE VEHICLE ON A FLAT SURFACE OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PLACED A LARGE CATCH PAN UNDER THE VEHICLE WHERE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD PASSED EMISSIONS ABOUT 2 OR 3 MONTHS PRIOR THAT INCLUDES A TEST ON THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE AMOUNT THAT LEAKED OUT WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF OF A LITER IN TOTAL THEN STOPPED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS EVER COME ON AND THE FUEL LEAK ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I FILL THE TANK UNTIL THE GAS PUMP STOPS, I HAVEN'T FILLED THE TANK FULL AGAIN UNTIL YESTERDAY 9/17/19 WHEN I FILLED THE TANK FULL. AFTER THE FIRST LEAK WAS NOTICED I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THAT PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT AND DROPPED THE FUEL TANK PRESSURIZED IT AND COULD NOT FIND OUT WHERE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM. HE INSTALLED A NEW SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP GASKETS AND REINSTALLED THE FUEL TANK, FILLED THE TANK FULL AND NO LEAK WAS NOTICED. TO BE SAFE AND EASE MY MIND I DIDN'T FILL THE TANK FULL UNTIL YESTERDAY 9/17/19 WHEN I NOTED THE LEAK AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID HE DIDN'T NOTICE ANY PREMATURE WEAR ON THE FUEL TANK OR ANY OF THE COMPONENTS WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO HIM. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TODAY AND HE SAID IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A FAULTY EMISSIONS VALVE THAT IS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE TANK. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON 9/20/19 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AGAIN. I AM CHECKING HERE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IF A RECALL WAS EVER AVAILABLE AND IF NOT TOO ADD THIS TO COMPLAINTS.
MY 79 YEAR OLD FATHER-IN-LAW WAS IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT YESTERDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2019. HE WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH OHIO. UPON TAKING OFF FROM A STOP HE WAS HIT NOT BY ONE CAR BUT TWO CARS. MY FATHER IN LAW HAS HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2009 AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF IT. THEY ONLY HAVE THIS CAR. ANYWAY WHEN HE HIT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NONE. HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL SO HARD THAT WE THOUGHT HE WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK.
WHEN DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD MITCHELL ST. IN DOWNTOWN CADILLAC, THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED AND STARTED ON SINCE. A FEW NIGHTS AFTER, WHEN STARTING THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT COME ON UNTIL MINUTES AFTER THE CAR STARTED. NOW, IT WILL STAY LIGHT FROM WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING G UNTIL SHUT OFF.
I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WITH A TRUCK CLOSE BEHIND, WHEN IT JUST DIED. I HAD NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH THINKING I WAS GOING TO BE HIT BY THE TRUCK BEHIND ME. I WAS IN A CURVE, AND THANKFULLY THERE WAS A STORE. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE CAR IN, AND SOMEHOW I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. I HAD NO WARNING, NO LIGHT CAME ON AND MY SON CAME TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. HE SAID IT WAS OVERHEATING. WE HAD IT TOWED HOME AND WHEN HE CHECKED IT THE OIL WAS CREAMY , WHITISH. HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. WE RESEARCHED IT, AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CYCLONE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE WATER PUMP FAILING, WHICH IS INSIDE THE ENGINE ALONG WITH THE TIMING CHAIN!!! I WAS SHOCKED! WATER PUMPS GO BAD, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. WHY WOULD ANY COMPANY PUT A WATER PUMP INSIDE THE MOTOR?!?! I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT IF I HAD KNOWN BECAUSE IT IS JUST WRONG. THEN I FOUND OUT FORD HAD BEEN USING THAT ENGINE FOR OVER 10 YEARS, EVEN WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES AND DEATHS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!! WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE PUT IN, I'M 63 AND DISABLED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO. WITH ALL THE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES DUE TO THIS, I AM SHOCKED THAT FORD HAS NOT HELPED US OUT. THEY MUST HAVE A LOT OF LAWSUITS. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN, I AM SICK ABOUT IT.
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND STRUCK A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT AT 20 MPH AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED
TRANSMISSION CLUNKS INTO EACH GEAR WHEN DRIVING SLOW. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED TO MOVE SHIFTER FROM PARK, THERE IS AN ALARM THAT IS FAIRLY LOUD COMING FROM THE DASH. THE BRAKES SEEM TO WORK WELL AND I HAVE MAINTAINED MY OWN VEHICLES, SO THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT HAS VERY LOW MILES FOR THE YEAR AND HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR MONTHS, GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM THE SEATBELT BEGAN TO TIGHTEN ON MY SON, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR. HE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TRIED TO LOOSEN THE SEATBELT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL; THE CAR TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO TRY AND RESET THE SEATBELT BUT ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WAS PERMANENTLY LOCKED.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2008 Ford Taurus has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 175 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Ford Taurus.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Ford Taurus.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Ford Taurus are steering (34 reports), power train (25 reports), vehicle speed control (15 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2008 Ford Taurus. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.