2008 Ford Taurus recalls
Reported Apr 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company
Problem: 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."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
2008 Ford Taurus problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Power Train | 45 | |
| Steering | 36 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 | |
| Engine | 20 | |
| Air Bags | 15 | |
| Electrical System | 14 | |
| Suspension | 11 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | |
| Service Brakes | 9 | |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | |
| Structure | 5 | |
Most reported parts
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 5
- Steering › Rack and Pinion — 4
- Structure › Body — 3
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs — 2
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
- Suspension › Rear — 2
- Power Train › Driveline — 2
- Air Bags › Frontal — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 65,691 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Ford Taurus complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Power Train · reported Nov 11, 2026
Tachometer just quit working one day .It has been calibrated still doesnât work. I was driving down the road come to a stoplight stopped went to hit the gas to go. My car wouldnât move. I noticed a little wrench on so I put my car in park. I shut it off. I started it back up. I put it in Drive and it clunked really hard it has done this more than once and itâs random and it doesnât throw a check engine light for the scanner tool to diagnose it. Itâs pretty scary to be in rush-hour traffic and the car do that and we have to put it in park and shut it off and start it back up., And it…
Air Bags · at 142,000 miles · reported Jan 30, 2026
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. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously rear-ended on several occasions, and the air bags did not deploy. The contact had sustained severe back injuries that had become permanent. The contact had received medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene on each occasion. Additionally, the contact stated that…
Power Train · at 85,367 miles · reported Nov 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle became inoperable. The contact shifted into park and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated while reversing, she heard an abnormal sound. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the power train not being connected to the solenoids. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
Suspension · at 36,000 miles · reported Oct 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer advised him to stop driving the vehicle due to corrosion of the subframe, caliper, steering arm, brakes, and a hole in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 170,000 miles · reported Sep 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled however, she was able to pull over and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was overheating. The contact observed that white smoke was coming out from under the hood. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to her residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The independent…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2008 Ford Taurus: 16V-247 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford Taurus?
Owners report power train problems most often (45 reports), followed by steering (36). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 65,691 miles.
Are Ford recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.