Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Ford Taurus problems

Owners filed 175 complaints about the 2008 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is power train (44).

Complaints
175
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train44
  2. Steering35
  3. Vehicle speed control32
  4. Engine20
  5. Air bags15
  6. Electrical system13
  7. Engine and engine cooling11
  8. Suspension10
  9. Service brakes9
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  11. Structure5
  12. Fuel/propulsion system4
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  14. Fuel system, gasoline4

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 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20071
20088
20093
201013
201120
201218
201316
201420
201521
201614
20177
201812
20198
20206
20212
20223
20232
20240
20250
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

44 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2023Power trainODI 11555476

Steering

35 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2020SteeringODI 11306326

Vehicle speed control

32 reports7 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11714414

Engine

20 reports2 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2022Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11482680

Air bags

15 reports11 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2019Air bagsODI 11256404

Electrical system

13 reports1 crash3 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2020Electrical systemODI 11321126
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.