general problems of the 2008 Ford Taurus

17 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2008 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Ford Taurus based on all problems reported for the 2008 Taurus.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/13/2021

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus x. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 40 mph, several unknown warning lights illuminated, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contacts daughter was able unable to pull over but was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing spark plugs, coolant, and radiator replaced. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2021

I bought this vehicle used from a lot. It had 2 previous owners and came with all the service history. I first noticed the vehicle seemed like it didn’t want to go into overdrive . It would get to about 70 mph which would have the rpm’s at 3k! the 2nd time or so that we got it to these speeds (on interstate) the vehicle suddenly clunked , steering wheel jerked , vehicle lost power - I had my 2 children in the vehicle and I was pregnant. We had to pull over immediately . After sitting side the road for a few , it crunk up and we rode out . Only for it to happen 2 more times. And this is not the only thing effected by this . Not long after I got it , I started noticing a hard shift / clunk / slam when going into gear and especially when the vehicle has just tried to downshift and I pressed the gas again . Due to this , I’m unable to tell when and if we can pull out into traffic and such. I must time it good in order to not risk getting t boned etc. Also, with 3 kids in tow , a vehicle slamming their necks and heads is dangerous and scary. So , I’ve had some work done on . Trying to help my issue. Apparently my issue is the same as a lot of others . Which is an intermittent issue . And apparently no matter if all the passed recalls were addressed. Or if the owners of the vehicle serviced it often and currant . Or if the pcm was reflashed , replaced etc - the Ford Taurus x will continue to have these issues . And these issues seem to be the same issues that were addressed in the Ford recall in 2020 ( which didn’t include the Taurus x) and previous recalls . This drivertrain transmission has been an issue for the Taurus x since forever . Please check into this. Last thing we need is whiplash or life flights from this .

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2020

The car looses power. The rpm go up but speed odometer doesnt move. Dash shows dashes. When you stop and cut the car off and turn it back on it slams into grear. After waiting a few minutes the car drives fine.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2017

The acceleration speeds up on its on. The electric components mis charge.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/25/2017

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle jerked without warning. The contact drove and stopped at the interstate where she noticed a strong burning odor coming from the vehicle, which caused breathing issues. The contact had to open the windows while driving. The contact also stated that the engine light failed to turn on. Once the contact shut off and restarted the vehicle, the engine light turned on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil plugs, pcm, and computer burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 85,197.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2016

Hood released while driving at 35 mph a total of 3 times. Computer reported a tire sensor inflation issues while driving. Air pressure was fine. Popping, loud grinding noise while driving has returned even after it was serviced due to the drivetrain and transmission. Sounds and feels like something is loose while driving at 45 mph in the suspension, even though we were told that is normal for that vehicle. While turning out from a parking lot, the vehicle sounded and felt like the entire undercarriage had fallen on the ground while we were driving forward. It was very difficult to drive the car forward. We were forced to drive the back roads back to the dealership. The driver side power window goes down while attempting to raise the window. The passenger side power mirror grinds and pops while moving it.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/07/2016

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus x. While driving at any speed, all of the warning lights illuminated and the acceleration failed. When the battery was disconnected and reconnected, the failure went away for approximately two months. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an issue with the transmission sensors. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2015

We are original owners on a 2008 Ford Taurus x with 143000 miles on it. The transmission has been shuttering and shifting roughly for the past 30000 miles or so. Recently my wife was driving at low speed when several warning lights on the dash went off, the miles until empty reading dropped to 0 (3/4 tank of gas remained), and the vehicle would rev but only go 2-3 mph. I entered some of these symptoms into google and found many message board enteries referencing this issue. What concerns me is Ford does not to appear to fix the issue short of replacing the transmission ($4000).

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/12/2014

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle began to lose power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pcm was faulty and it sent too much energy to the coil pack causing it to melt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,516. Ad.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2014

2008 Ford Taurus. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle stalling problems. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled eight times, since he purchased it new in April of 2009. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the stalling, without a code.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/12/2013

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.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/11/2013

Backing out of driveway- I noticed that steering column was not locked prior to inserting key. Inserted key, turned to start and no response from ignition. Kept turning steering column and decided to engage transmission from park to drive several times. I returned to park-ing the car and removed the key. Initially, steering column was not locked, then I turned the steering wheel several times and then the column locked. Turned the key and the ignition hesitated- the dials were jumping. After several seconds the engine turned over and dials went to normal. I commenced to back out of driveway- the engine rpm jumped, far more then what I was applying acceleration for and the transmission was hesitant ( clunking was audible). The vehicle reversed too rapidly and I applied quite a bit of brake to stop- I shifted to drive and again I could hear the transmission. The car hesitated to go forward ( transmission was clunking), jerking forward and slowing down and the engine rpm was erratic. I pulled to the side and placed car in neutral; waited a minute which during this time, the vehicle rpm went to normal. Ok, I placed gear in drive and vehicle responded normally. Have had several instances of some of the above described events happening since original occurrence. At this moment, steering column is not locked with the key removed and when turning car to start the ignition is just turning over.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2013

Waiting at a flashing red arrow to turn left. Traffic cleared, I accelerated, got barely into intersection, car choked, would barely move. Semi truck put up huge plumes of blue smoke from tires burning on dry pavement. Truck barely stopped before t-bone in my drivers door. Certainly would have been killed. Coil pack on cylinder #2 burned out, also burning out pcm computer on board. Repaired and replaced both. Cylinder #2 coil pack burned out 2 more times since. Cylinder #4 coil pack burned out once since. Pcm computer had to be replaced twice more since original incident. Ford has had a tech bulletin out since 04/2011 on this problem. The loss of engine power with no prior warning is going to get people killed. I would not be writing this right now, if the semi would have been going a little faster, or would have been a little closer. Googled problem. . . Very, very common, and mostly on cylinder #2. Ford motor company unwilling to do anything. Spoke by phone 06/09/2015.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2011

The vehicle was traveling at 70 mph with cruise control on, in heavy traffic. I tapped the brake pedal to release the cruise control and the vehicle lost all electrical power and stalled in the right hand lane of the interstate. Several commercial vehicles had to make a sudden stop to avoid a collision. The vehicle had to be pushed off the interstate. The local Ford dealership performed a standard computer diagnostic test and informed us that the computer was unable to locate a reason for this complete loss of power. We contacted the Ford customer service division and were advised to continue operating the vehicle until the problem recurred. In the event of another loss of power we were advised to have the vehicle towed to a dealership so the problem could be investigated.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/07/2011

It began with only the wrench light going on and the rpm would go up and the car would lurch forward. I would reset it with a code checker and I would not have the problem. The problem and the light would eventually return. It was recommended to change the ari filter, the air filter was changed and the problem went away for approximately 3 weeks. Now not only my wrench light but my engine light also goes on and it returns every day after resetting it. After I looked up the problem on the internet I found that the problems seems to appear in other Ford models. I am very surprised that this is not a recall. This is a safety hazard and eventually someone will get hurt or killed before anything is done about this issue.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2010

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle would suddenly stall without warning. The vehicle was able to restart yet the failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that they would need to reset the computer system. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2010

My car lost power while driving and stalled in traffic. My mechanic had it for two weeks and tested repeatedly and could not find a reason and could not make the event reoccur. I drive in a rural area with young children.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2008 Ford Taurus


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