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2008 Ford Taurus X

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

137 reports with mileage · 16 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

41 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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 suddenl…

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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 intermittent issue . And apparently no matter if all the passed recalls were addressed. Or if the owners of the vehicle serviced it often and currant . Or if the pcm was reflashed , replaced etc - the Ford Taurus X will continue to have these issues . And these issues seem to be the same issues that were addressed in the ford recall in 2020 ( which didn’t include the Taurus X) and previous recalls . This drivertrain transmission has been an issue for the Taurus X since forever . Please check into this. Last thing we need is whiplash or life flights from this .

NHTSA ODI #11437440

162,000 miles · Dec 24, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION STUCK IN HIGH GEAR WHILE IN MOTION. CAN'T ACCELERATE FROM STOP TO MAINTAIN SPEED. POWER CYCLE FIXED. INTERMITTENT ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11384818

65,000 miles · Jul 28, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

HAD TO SHELL OUT $528.06 TO REPLACE BOTH THE 'INPUT & OUTPUT SHIFT SENORS' IN THE VEHICLE. REPAIR INVOLVED REMOVING THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR ACCESS. MAJORITY OF THE COST INVOLVE THE LABOR TO REACH THIS AREA ON TRANS. A MONTH EARLIER TRANS LOCKED UP IN LOW GEAR, DASH LIGHTS WERE FLASHING? SHUT OFF ENGINE & RESTARTED…

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HAD TO SHELL OUT $528.06 TO REPLACE BOTH THE 'INPUT & OUTPUT SHIFT SENORS' IN THE VEHICLE. REPAIR INVOLVED REMOVING THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR ACCESS. MAJORITY OF THE COST INVOLVE THE LABOR TO REACH THIS AREA ON TRANS. A MONTH EARLIER TRANS LOCKED UP IN LOW GEAR, DASH LIGHTS WERE FLASHING? SHUT OFF ENGINE & RESTARTED. RAN OK THEN. SAFETY ISSUE! RECALL IS IN ORDER!

NHTSA ODI #11341863

1 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WONT CHANGE GEARS

NHTSA ODI #11319213

77,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11180887

95,836 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF AND I COULDN'T GET CAR TO STOP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE APPLYING THE BREAK. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME .SINCE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE A RECALL PROBLEM TO ME. CAR TRIES TO DRIV…

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WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF AND I COULDN'T GET CAR TO STOP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE APPLYING THE BREAK. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME .SINCE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE A RECALL PROBLEM TO ME. CAR TRIES TO DRIVE ITSELF!!!

NHTSA ODI #11071761

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2017
EnginePower Train

WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE 2016 TO TED BRITT FORD AND TO FORD ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE JERKING, POPPING, SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE COMPLAINED. AT ONE POINT THE SERVICE TECH TOLD US THAT SLIPPING, JERKING, AND POPPING FRO…

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WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE 2016 TO TED BRITT FORD AND TO FORD ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE JERKING, POPPING, SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE COMPLAINED. AT ONE POINT THE SERVICE TECH TOLD US THAT SLIPPING, JERKING, AND POPPING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS NORMAL FOR THE TAURUS X. ON 10/20/2017, WE BROKE DOWN ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO BUCKLE AND CHOKE. THEN WE HAD SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED ON THE FLASHERS. WE FOUND OUT THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT IT. WE WERE FORCED TO BUY THIS CAR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT TED BRITT SABOTAGED OUR 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. TED BRITT SABOTAGED OUR WINDSTAR THROUGH DISCONNECTING THE VACUUM LINE THAT FED THE HEATING AND AC. WE WENT FOR THREE YEARS FREEZING IN THE WINTER AND BOILING HOT IN THE SUMMER. THEY DID NOT WANT TO RECONNECT THAT LINE FOR OUR HEAT AND AC. THEY DISASSEMBLED A LOT OF OUR WINDSTAR AND THREW EVERYTHING IN THE BACK OF OUR VAN ONTO THE CLOTH SEATS. DASHBOARD, COWL, GRILL, HOOD WAS OFF THE VAN, TIRES, BRAKE LINES, ENGINE PARTS, AND OTHER PARTS WERE THROWN ONTO OUR CLOTH BACK SEATS. THEY MADE OUR TAN SEATS BLACK WITH THE ROAD GRIME AND GREASE. THEN THEY DECIDED TO ASK US IF WE WANTED OUR VAN BACK. THAT WAS VERY RUDE. WE HAD JUST CLEANED THOSE SEATS. NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 FORD TAURUS X. WE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND OUR AUTO INSURANCE TO HELP US OUT. WE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED AND WE HAD TO TAKE A TAXI TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11034763

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE ACCELERATION SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON. THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS MIS CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #11034289

57,945 miles · Oct 4, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE FORD TAURUS X HAS 57,945 MILES ON IT. TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE DASH SHOWED ALL ZEROS AND THE CAR LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR EXHIBITED SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNUSUAL SHIFTING. I TOOK IT AND HAD THE OBD CODE READ. THE CODE INDICATED THAT IT WAS A SPEED SENSO…

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THE FORD TAURUS X HAS 57,945 MILES ON IT. TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE DASH SHOWED ALL ZEROS AND THE CAR LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR EXHIBITED SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNUSUAL SHIFTING. I TOOK IT AND HAD THE OBD CODE READ. THE CODE INDICATED THAT IT WAS A SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION (P720). THE CODE WAS RESET AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING DRIVEN. IT HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD. I OWN TWO 2008 FORD TAURUS AND IT HAPPENED ON THE SAME DAY TO BOTH OF THEM. I WILL BE FILING INCIDENT INFORMATION ON THE OTHER VEHICLE TOO.

NHTSA ODI #11031822

165,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Power Train

W DRIVING AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP. THE LITTLE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON THE CODE IS P0715. TSS SENSOR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP ONCE THIS HAPPENS AND THE LIGHT IS ON, AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE ALL MY FAMILY WAS IN CAR. IF I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHT WILL…

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W DRIVING AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUMP. THE LITTLE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON THE CODE IS P0715. TSS SENSOR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP ONCE THIS HAPPENS AND THE LIGHT IS ON, AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK WHILE ALL MY FAMILY WAS IN CAR. IF I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE LIGHT WILL RESET ITS SELF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING. MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING IN THIS TRANSMISSION. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED

NHTSA ODI #10892989

Official recalls

1

16V247000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO