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2008 Ford Taurus: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationAn average Taurus year.
175 owner complaints, most about power train. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Taurus?The 2008 Ford Taurus has 175 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are power train and steering. Owners most often flag transmission failure or slipping, particularly loss of 4th gear and od clutch pack issues.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Ford Taurus vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Taurus years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the Taurus?
Across the 24 Taurus model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2019) to 1,471 (2002). With 175 complaints, the 2008 Taurus sits below the model's median of 318.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 Taurus
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V247000Ford 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."
What owners report on the 5th generation Taurus
Owners view this generation as a dependable, spacious, and comfortable used car that offers strong value for the money, particularly for first-time buyers or budget-conscious shoppers.
- Very frequentTransmission failure or slipping, particularly loss of 4th gear and OD clutch pack issues
- RecurrentWater pump failure on the 3.5L engine, internally driven and can destroy the engine
- RecurrentPower Transfer Unit (PTU) issues on AWD models
- RecurrentElectronic throttle body problems causing stalling or unresponsive pedal
- RecurrentBrake lines rusting out, particularly in salt-belt regions
Owner insights for the 5th generation Taurus. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Taurus listings typically run $9,114–$14,953 across 2010 to 2019 model years.
Other Taurus model years
Compare every Taurus year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Taurus against its rivals
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