FORD: IF THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER, SURGE, OR HESITATION WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL OVERRIDE ACCELERATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Ford Taurus X engine problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 8 engine complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Taurus X, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FORD: THERE MAY BE A ROUGH IDLE OR MISSES WHILE THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE MUTLIPLE POSSIBLE TROUBLE CODES STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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.
Vehicle lost all power, including brakes and steering twice. Once at approx. 8,000 miles and again at approx. 8,660 miles (may 2009). Vehicle made loud grinding noise and became very sluggish while driving approx. 15 MPH. At approx. 15,900 miles twice within 1/4 mile (nov.2009). Dealership says they cannot duplicate any of these events or find a reason that they may have occurred. Obviously,…
Had engine trouble with your 2008 Ford Taurus X?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2008 Ford Taurus X?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 58,025 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/Taurus X.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.