MYRModel Year Report

2008 Ford Taurus

▲ Better than typical
2008 Ford Taurus
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:27.503Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
175
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 175 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 272 complaints 2016: 83 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 16 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 175 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 272 complaints 2015 2016: 83 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 16 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 175 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 272 complaints 2016: 83 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 16 complaints

2008: 175 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013585
2014229
2015272
201683
201744
201847
201916

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

25% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Car would suddenly jolt forward even though I was securely stopped at a light or stop sign. Sometimes, it felt like it jolted forward as much as 4 feet - even though my foot was firmly on the brake at all times.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-06

Also filed under Vehicle speed control and service brakes

Steering

21% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.

Vehicle speed control

18% · 32 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while stop at traffic light the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the proceeding vehicle rear end.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-05

Engine

11% · 20 reports
CRASHFIRE

Air bags

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt had failed to unbuckle and was previously repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-01-30

My son was in an accident to where the whole front end was smashed and neither airbag deployed

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-10

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance

Driving 2 lane road heading east, saw a car on the our right trying to come out of drive, kept going back and forth finally gave up, by the time we turned to look straight a truck had stopped with his directionals wanting to go left into his drive,...

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-08-21

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2008-10-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-09 Tire valve cracking
  2. R
    2016-06-09Air bags16V247000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 32 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V247000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Ford Taurus is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Taurus have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.