VehicleVerdict

2008 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Ford Taurus sits mid-pack among Taurus years: 240 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 414, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (44), steering (36), and speed control (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

240

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted2,206 complaints1977: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 150 complaints1987: 355 complaints1988: 462 complaints1989: 762 complaints1990: 542 complaints1991: 946 complaints1992: 1,009 complaints1993: 2,206 complaints1994: 1,284 complaints1995: 1,597 complaints1996: 1,132 complaints1997: 1,003 complaints1998: 680 complaints1999: 1,100 complaints2000: 1,497 complaints2001: 1,264 complaints2002: 1,759 complaints2003: 1,524 complaints2004: 482 complaints2005: 1,005 complaints2006: 415 complaints2007: 196 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 77 complaints2010: 274 complaints2011: 251 complaints2012: 100 complaints2013: 749 complaints2014: 295 complaints2015: 333 complaints2016: 97 complaints2017: 52 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 15 complaints
Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4418%
Steering3615%
Speed Control3213%
Engine3113%
Electrical System198%
Airbags156%
Brakes156%
Suspension115%
Fuel System83%
Other83%
Body & Structure52%
Lighting42%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2008 Ford Taurus have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V247000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 695 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE AND STOPPED AT THE INTERSTATE WHERE SHE NOTICED A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED BREATHING ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS WHILE DRIVING. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 25, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 15, 2010

“MADE LEFT TURN ONTO MAJOR STREET. THERE WAS TRAFFIC SO EVERYTHING WAS SLOW. AS SOON AS I GOT ONTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND STARTED TO MOVE FASTER THAN I WANTED AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SHOT FORWARD AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FROM OF ME. THIS WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR. IT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 7, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM SENT EXCESSIVE ENERGY TO THE COIL PACK CAUSING IT TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 12, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM SENT EXCESSIVE ENERGY TO THE COIL PACK CAUSING IT TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 12, 2014 · fire

2008 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Taurus reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 240 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Taurus year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2008 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (44 complaints), steering (36 complaints), speed control (32 complaints).

Does the 2008 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Ford Taurus under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Taurus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Taurus years to avoid are 1993, 2002, 1995, 2003, 2000, 1994, 2001, 1996, 1999, 1992, 2005, 1997, 1991, 1989, 2013, 1998, 1990. The cleanest record among Taurus years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.