KnownCarProblems2008 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Taurus, most often about the transmission (25% of complaints, typically around 81,500 miles). It is 13th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Ford Taurus problems
Transmission
44 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
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…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would jerk abnormally and every warning light on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact stated that he pulled over and tried to restart the vehicle. The contact had to depress the accelerator pedal in order…
Steering
35 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that in the attempt to making a turn, the steering wheel would lock; making it difficult for the contact to straighten the vehicle or turn the steering wheel in the other direction. The dealer diagnosis indicated that the steering gear box needed to be replaced.…
Steering is very difficult to use. While driving , steering will go from normal ability to turn steering wheel to very hard. Nearly caused an accident! Took car to private mechanic and was told steering rack had to be replaced. This cost over $1100 to replace!
Speed control
32 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
2008 Ford Taurus. Parked in driveway with foot on brake...all of sudden the engine accelerates rapidly and I proceed to hit the side of the house. The next day was just sitting at stoplight with my foot on the brake and the engine for no reason accelerates to over 4000 RPM.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated while driving 55-60 MPH. The contact was able to reduce the speed by applying the brake with force. The failure was experienced a second time and the vehicle had to be shifted into neutral to stop the vehicle. The vehicle…
Engine
30 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
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…
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.…
Air bags
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 114,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was driving back home from dropping off my son at school when I felt like I was going to faint I was unable to stop the car in time when I passed out while driving , I hit an electrical post head on my air bags didn't deploy and I suffered head trauma and bruising on my face arms and chest.
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.
Brakes
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
My 2008 Ford Taurus has a problem with the brakes . I have replaced the pads twice. The last time was on 4/21/10. That was when I noticed that it was smoking after I drove from work. Which is 17 miles from my house. A employee at auto store asked me if used the parking brake often . I said yes he told me to stop. The…
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…
Electrical
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 116,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning. The vehicle was able to restart yet the failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that they would need to…
Brought car into three different dealer to diagnose why all dash lights were coming on and off. Each time the PCM was wiped clean and was told they were unsure. The last time I brought the car in was for a possible bad speedometer reading as was pulled over for going 70 in a 55 as which speedometer was reading 55.…
Suspension
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, subframe/mounting bracket.
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…
I was driving and hear a popping noise at the rear of the car going over bumps in the road. More so without weight in the back and if rocking side to side on uneven roads. Took to dealer on next available appointment and was told driver side rear spring broken. Had it repaired the next day at my own expense. I was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Ford Taurus recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Tire valve cracking
Summary
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 ch
Questions about the 2008 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (44 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); steering (35 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles); speed control (32 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Taurus have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 26, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is 13th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints, with 175 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.