Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Ford Taurus X problems
Owners filed 153 complaints about the 2008 Ford Taurus X with NHTSA between Dec 2007 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is steering (42).
Complaints
153
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering42
- Power train41
- Vehicle speed control26
- Structure15
- Electrical system10
- Suspension9
- Service brakes7
- Engine6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Tires5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Seats4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
8
7
20
17
15
16
17
14
10
6
5
6
5
4
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
42 reports1 crash
“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.”
Power train
41 reports
“I bought this vehicle used from a lot. It had 2 previous owners and came with all the service history. I first noticed the vehicle seemed like it didn’t want to go into overdrive . It would get to about 70 mph which would have the rpm’s at 3k! The 2nd time or so that we got it to these speeds (on interstate) the vehicle suddenly clunked , steering wheel jerked , vehicle lost power - I had my 2 children in the vehicle and I was pregnant. We had to pull over immediately . After sitting side the road for a few , it crunk up and we rode out . Only for it to happen 2 more times. And this is not the only thing effected by this . Not long after I got it , I started noticing a hard shift / clunk / slam when going into gear and especially when the vehicle has just tried to downshift and I pressed the gas again . Due to this , I’m unable to tell when and if we can pull out into traffic and such. I must time it good in order to not risk getting T boned etc. Also, with 3 kids in tow , a vehicle slamming their necks and heads is dangerous and scary. So , I’ve had some work done on . Trying to help my issue. Apparently my issue is the same as a lot of others . Which is an…”
Vehicle speed control
26 reports1 crash1 fire
“WHEN VEHICLE GETS BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, WILL NOT GEAR UP PROPERLY AND WILL NOT RUN CORRECTLY. ONLY DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY, AND YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, UNHOOK BATTERY CABLE, GIVE IT A MINUTE, HOOK IT BACK UP AND IT WILL RUN FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DOES IT- WHICH COULD BE DAYS, WEEKS, EVEN MONTHS.”
Structure
15 reports2 crashes1 fire
“WHEN DRIVING MY CAR I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 WRECKS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY THE CAR DOES NOT STOP THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. I HAD A FRONT END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JD BYRIDER.THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS MEANING STOPPING BUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME. I HAD MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR ON EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED AND I FILL IF I CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH THESE PROBLEMS SOMETHING SERIOUS IS GOING TO HAPPPEN NEXT TIME.”
Electrical system
10 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus X. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's daughter was able unable to pull over but was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing spark plugs, coolant, and radiator replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”
Suspension
9 reports1 crash
“HOOD RELEASED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. COMPUTER REPORTED A TIRE SENSOR INFLATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. AIR PRESSURE WAS FINE. POPPING, LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING HAS RETURNED EVEN AFTER IT WAS SERVICED DUE TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN THE SUSPENSION, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FORWARD. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD. WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THE BACK ROADS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE WINDOW. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER MIRROR GRINDS AND POPS WHILE MOVING IT. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.