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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

Structure complaints

15 reports
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92,000 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash

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 FIR…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11192860

60,808 miles · Apr 29, 2016
Power TrainStructureVehicle Speed Control

PROBLEM 1, PAINT PEELING OFF HOOD AND ROUGH METAL UNDER PROBLEM 2, TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING WHILE UNDER WARRENTY, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ANY CODES TO SHOW PROBLEM THIS, HAS CONTINUED TO PRESENT. WAS NOTIFED THIS WEEK BY DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED, BUT BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU TURN OFF THE CAR THE CODES RESET. FOR…

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PROBLEM 1, PAINT PEELING OFF HOOD AND ROUGH METAL UNDER PROBLEM 2, TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING WHILE UNDER WARRENTY, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET ANY CODES TO SHOW PROBLEM THIS, HAS CONTINUED TO PRESENT. WAS NOTIFED THIS WEEK BY DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED, BUT BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU TURN OFF THE CAR THE CODES RESET. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALER DO NOT WANT TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS OF OVER $4500.00. BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 75,000 MILES AND PROBLEM FIRST DOCUMENTED ON THERE FORMS WAS AT 60,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD DOWN SHIFT AND JERK. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME AND EACH TIME TOOK TO DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE BUT AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WOULD.

NHTSA ODI #10862141

60,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Structure

PAINT ON HOOD IN BUBBLING AND PEELING IN FRONT NEAR THE GRILL. TOOK TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE NO SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS VEHICLES LIKE MINE OF THE ROAD WITH THE SAME PAINT ISSUE. THIS IS A PAINT SHOP ISSUE AT FORD CHICAGO ASSEMBLY WHERE THIS CAR WAS BUILT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661981

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2014
Structure

PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE HOOD OF THE CAR BOTH AT THE FRONT AND AT THE WINDSHIELD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2008 FORD TAURUS X LIMITED. THE METAL UNDERNEATH THE PEELING PAINT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RUSTED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALUMINUM CORROSION ISSUE. FORD HAS TOLD ME BOTH AT THE CORPORATE AND DEALER LEVE…

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PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF THE HOOD OF THE CAR BOTH AT THE FRONT AND AT THE WINDSHIELD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2008 FORD TAURUS X LIMITED. THE METAL UNDERNEATH THE PEELING PAINT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RUSTED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALUMINUM CORROSION ISSUE. FORD HAS TOLD ME BOTH AT THE CORPORATE AND DEALER LEVEL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY DID TELL ME TO SAVE MY RECEIPTS INCASE THEY DECIDE TO COVER THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595665

80,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Electrical SystemStructureFire

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. A FIRE WAS REPORTED TO MY SON WHO BORROWED IT FOR WORK. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE REMAINING FIRE. IN THEIR REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND STARTED UNDER THE FRONT DA…

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VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS. A FIRE WAS REPORTED TO MY SON WHO BORROWED IT FOR WORK. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FD DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND PUT OUT THE REMAINING FIRE. IN THEIR REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND STARTED UNDER THE FRONT DASH. THE MIDDLE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH IS COMPLETE DESTROYED AND MELTED. LOCAL FORD DEALER, BYERLY FORD ESTIMATED $4600 OF DAMAGE. ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS TOO INTENSE AND CAUSE SO MUCH HEAT DAMAGE THAT A CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. SUBMITTED CLAIM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER OR DESIGN ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PROCEED WITH ANY ACTION. CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAD NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563965

80,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Structure

THE PAINT IS BUBBLING ON THE HOOD AND IS FLAKING AWAY, I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ALTHOUGH THE PAINT IS WARRANTIED, THE METAL OF THE HOOD NEEDS TO BECOME PERFORATED BEFORE THEY WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY. THIS IS EVEN PUT IN FORD'S OWNER'S MANUAL AS SUCH. THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSE TO STAND B…

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THE PAINT IS BUBBLING ON THE HOOD AND IS FLAKING AWAY, I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ALTHOUGH THE PAINT IS WARRANTIED, THE METAL OF THE HOOD NEEDS TO BECOME PERFORATED BEFORE THEY WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY. THIS IS EVEN PUT IN FORD'S OWNER'S MANUAL AS SUCH. THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT YEARS, MAKES, AND MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE PEOPLE BLOGGING ABOUT IT ON THE WEBSITE:HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAW.COM/WORDPRESS/MORE-PROBLEMS-FOR-FORD-PAINT-DEFECTS-IN-2000-2005-MODELS. ALSO, IN SOME NEW YEARS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535380

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2013
Structure

THERE IS A LEMON LAW BLOG REGARDING DEFECTIVE PAINT ON VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES, YET FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. IT IS A SHAME FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND ANYWHERE FORM $25,000.00 - $40,000.00 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS THE PAINT BUBBLING OFF DUE TO TAINTED BODY PARTS. THERE SHOULD BE AN INV…

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THERE IS A LEMON LAW BLOG REGARDING DEFECTIVE PAINT ON VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES, YET FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. IT IS A SHAME FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND ANYWHERE FORM $25,000.00 - $40,000.00 FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS THE PAINT BUBBLING OFF DUE TO TAINTED BODY PARTS. THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAW.COM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496882

36,000 miles · May 13, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2010 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL AND BY THE END OF THE FIRST SUMMER OF DRIVING IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALL POWER WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TURN THE WHEEL OR ANYTHING. LUCKILY ALL TIMES IT HAPPENED I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A STOP…

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2010 WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL AND BY THE END OF THE FIRST SUMMER OF DRIVING IT BEGAN TO LOSE ALL POWER WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TURN THE WHEEL OR ANYTHING. LUCKILY ALL TIMES IT HAPPENED I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A STOP SIGN. FORD SAID IT NEEDED A COMPUTER UPDATE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I PAID 66.00 FOR THE UPDATE, IT DID NOT WORK MY CAR STILL LOSE POWER SOMETIMES WHEN COASTING. MY CAR ALSO ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THIS IS MY MAIN VEHICLE AND I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. FORD SAYS THERE THEY HAVEN'T WITNESSED THE ISSUE WHILE DRIVING IT SO THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ALSO WITH IN THAT FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS CAR MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT NOW NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I "ONLY" NEEDED TO PAY THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. I DID AND IT WAS REPLACED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY GRIND TO A HALT. NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS BUT IT DOESN??T HAPPEN FREQUENTLY ENOUGH FOR THEM TO WITNESS IT SO THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. TO ADD TO THE LIST THE PASSENGER DOOR IS NOT SEALED CORRECTLY AND WHENEVER IT RAINS THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR BECOMES FILLED WITH WATER, BUT THAT??S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT ALL. AND FINALLY THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS BUBBLING AND CHIPPING. THE CAR IS FOUR YEARS OLD NOW AND NO LONGER UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY SO THEY WON'T COVER IT. I FEEL COMPLETELY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO TURN OR WHAT TO DO BUT I FEEL THIS CAR WILL NOT LAST THE LENGTH OF THE LOAN. AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE. IT MAKES ME SICK. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458256

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2012
Structure

PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ON THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD DID NOT USE THE PROPER PRIMER FOR OVER ALUMINUM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443378

10,000 miles · Oct 7, 2011
Structure

2008 FORD TAURUS X HAS A DEFECT IN THE HOOD AS FOLLOWS: THE HOOD HAS CORROSION BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM HOOD IS REACTING TO THE STEEL INSERTS THAT ARE BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE LAYERS OF THE HOOD. IT IS CALLED GALVANIC CORROSION AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY FORD SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HA…

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2008 FORD TAURUS X HAS A DEFECT IN THE HOOD AS FOLLOWS: THE HOOD HAS CORROSION BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM HOOD IS REACTING TO THE STEEL INSERTS THAT ARE BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE LAYERS OF THE HOOD. IT IS CALLED GALVANIC CORROSION AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY FORD SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 17,000 MILES AND FORD HAS REJECTED THE CLAIM BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. FORD STATES IT WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429108

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