FIRST OCCASION WAS WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE WAS PARKING AND THE CAR SURGED. IT HAPPENED ON SEVERAL MORE OCCASIONS AND ON 12/17/2010 FORD REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND AIR INTAKE. THEN ON 2-03-2012 AND 12-10-2012 CAR SURGED AGAIN. FORD DEALER SHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. ON 12-10-2012THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE REACH AROUND 4000 RPM, I PUSHED …
2008 ford Taurus X powertrain problems
moderate 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
TRANSMISSION STUCK IN HIGH GEAR WHILE IN MOTION. CAN'T ACCELERATE FROM STOP TO MAINTAIN SPEED. POWER CYCLE FIXED. INTERMITTENT ISSUE.
THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES IN THE PAST 14 MONTHS. WHEN PULLING ONTO A ROAD FROM A STATIONARY POSITION (LIKE FROM A DRIVEWAY OR GAS STATION), THE TRANSMISSION HAD A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AROUND FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. IT FELT AS IF THERE WERE ROCKS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEN, AFTER …
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR, THEY KEEP RE-SETTING THE COMPUTER SO IT DOES NOT SHOW ANY CODES NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY WE NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP WITH THIS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED A NEW COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSMISSION, THEY HAVE CHANGED…
I WANTED TO BRING POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD SAFETY RECALL TO YOUR ATTENTION. I OWN A 2008 FORD TAURUS X WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DRIVESHAFT YOLK (WHERE THE SHAFT ENTERS THE TRANS CASE). CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION NEVER IN ACCIDENT. TRANS FLUID DRIPS ONTO EXHAUST AND THEN BURNS TO A POINT OF CHARRING ON THE EXHAUST (I CAN SEND PICTURES). I HAVE SC…
LESS THAN 80K MILES, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE IT LOST FIRST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP NOW TELLS ME THAT THIS LESS THAN 5 YEAR OLD CAR NEEDS A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $5,000. I UNDERSTAND THROUGH ONLINE FORUMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS FAIRLY COMMON. UNBELIEVABLE THAT FORD ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWN-SHIFT PROPERLY. THIS CONDITION CAUSES HER TO INCREASE HER STOPPING DISTANCES. ON ONE OCCASION THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A HIGHER GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NOR LOCATE AN…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 ford Taurus X?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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