Research · Large Cars

2009 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (18) and vehicle speed control (10). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
64
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

64 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Sep 2023
  1. Engine and engine cooling18
  2. Vehicle speed control10
  3. Air bags6
  4. Engine6
  5. Power train5
  6. Service brakes4
  7. Electrical system4
  8. Wheels2
  9. Suspension2

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

By model year

Complaints for each Taurus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996868
1997816
1998570
1999918
20001,195
20011,036
20021,469
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013591
2014236
2015286
201688
201744
201852
201918
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

18 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 40 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, HE WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT IT MAY BE THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD RECALIBRATE THE PCM BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD FULLY REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10403806

Vehicle speed control

10 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 FORD TAURUS. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS AT AN ABNORMAL SPEED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 05/05/17*LJ *AS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2017Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10959795

Air bags

6 reports6 crashes
“THIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. IT WAS TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, WHEN A 2012 DODGE RAM 1500 TURNED IN TO THE VEHICLE FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION LEFT TURN LANE. THE DRIVER DOOR HAD TO BE CUT OPEN TO EXTRACT THE DRIVER. SO THE CAR WAS MOVING AND THE IMPACT KNOCKED THIS CAR IN TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11300886
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Taurus FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$2,950423
Taurus AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Taurus FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5140
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Taurus have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (18), vehicle speed control (10), air bags (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Ford Taurus at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026