2009 Ford Taurus: common problems and reliability

The 2009 Ford Taurus has 75 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag internal water pump failure (3.5l & 3.7l engines) — coolant leaks into the engine oil, leading to catastrophic engine damage if not addressed. a very expensive repair requiring engine removal. frequency: very frequent (for 2010-2019 models).

Safety record for the 2009 model year

75
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
12
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Ford Taurus vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
18
vehicle speed control
10
power train
9
air bags
7
engine
7

Recalls affecting the 2009 Taurus

air bags:frontal

Campaign 16V247000

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 m

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and model variant, ranging from extreme frustration to high satisfaction. The sixth-generation (2010-2019) models, particularly non-SHO trims, attract significant criticism for major, costly mechanical failures, inclu

  • Internal water pump failure (3.5L & 3.7L engines) — Coolant leaks into the engine oil, leading to catastrophic engine damage if not addressed. A very expensive repair requiring engine removal. Frequency: very frequent (for 2010-2019 models).
  • Transmission shifting problems — Includes rough shifts between 2nd and 3rd gear, failure to shift into higher gears (stuck in 3rd), and feeling of being in neutral. Affects 6F50/6F55 transmissions. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Persistent electrical and module failures — Includes audio control module failure (resulting in no sound), malfunctioning wiper switches, interior lights that won't turn off, and failing airbag sensors. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Cooling system failures — Radiator explosions, rotting hoses, and thermostat issues, particularly in older high-mileage examples. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine misfires and stalling — Intermittent power loss, flashing check engine lights, and engines shutting off while driving, often related to ignition components like the DIS module in older SHOs. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Taurus.

Typical used price

Used Taurus listings typically run $8,910–$14,348 across 2003 to 2019 model years.

Other Taurus model years