2008 Ford TAURUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
175 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,406 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 162 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 175 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 43 | 24.6% |
| Braking behavior | 39 | 22.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 21.7% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 7.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 |
| Steering | 31 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
Power Train: 35; Vehicle Speed Control: 32; Steering: 31; Engine: 20; Air Bags: 14; Electrical System: 13; Service Brakes: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 11
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 8; 2009: 3; 2010: 13; 2011: 20; 2012: 18; 2013: 16; 2014: 20; 2015: 21; 2016: 14; 2017: 7; 2018: 12; 2019: 8; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10208801 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
I BOUGHT A 2008 FORD TAURUS IN SEP 2008. OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS, I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENCES OF ENGINE SURGE WHILE STOPPED AND THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENCES OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD, SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE. THE SURGE TODAY OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS HOT. THE ENGINE SURGES TO ABOUT 2000 RPM, NO ACCELERATOR INVOLVED. I HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER YET BUT WILL TAKE THE CAR IN FOR CHECK TOMORROW MORNING. THIS IS A HEADS UP FOR ANYONE ELSE HAVING THE NEW FORD ENGINE AND POSSIBLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 490 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215319 · 2008-01-18 (January 18, 2008)
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 65,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216414 · 2008-01-29 (January 29, 2008)
I HAD COMPLIED WITH RECALL# 04V332000 FOR MY 2001 FORD TAURUS WITH HAVING THE PROTECTIVE SHIELDS INSTALLED ON MY FRONT SPRINGS. RECENTLY, WITH MY WIFE DRIVING TO WORK, THE FRONT LEFT SPRING FRACTURED. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK USING BACKROADS AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. BECAUSE THE SHIELDS WERE INSTALLED AND SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED THE SPRINGS FROM CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALTS, I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS THIS TEMPORARY REPAIR DID NOT WORK. IN ADDITION, ALL OTHER STATES THAT DID NOT HAVE THE SHIELDS INSTALLED ARE BEING OFFE…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,990 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229225 · 2008-05-29 (May 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. EACH TIME THE DEALER ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229836 · 2008-06-03 (June 3, 2008)
THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RENTED 2008 FORD TAURUS. I LEFT A RESTAURANT, DROVE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE TO MY HOTEL, PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, BEGAN APPLYING THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY. NO MATTER HOW I BRAKED, I COULD NOT STOP IT. IT TORE OUT A SMALL TREE AND LODGED INTO THE WALL OF THE HOTEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235104 · 2008-07-21 (July 21, 2008)
USAA FLEET VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN NORMAL OPERATION ON A DOWNTOWN STREET IN GA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,988 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240327 · 2008-08-30 (August 30, 2008)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2008 LIMITED TAURUS HAD 24000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAS 26,000. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING IN PARK A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION ABOUT 95% OF THE TIME, BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BUT THE CAR STILL DOES IT. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241727 · 2008-09-10 (September 10, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FRONTAL SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED TWICE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT SENSORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241727 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V247000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗