TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING. SAME TRANSMISSION IS USED IN CHEVROLET AND SATURN VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN RECALLED BY GM.
2008 ford Taurus powertrain problems
moderate 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
WE PURCHASED A 2008 FORD TAURUS LIMITED AWD NEW FOUR YEARS AGO. WE HAVE HAD FOUR (4) SEPERATE TIMES WHEN THE TRANSAXLE WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. CAR WILL BE IN DRIVE, BUT VEHICLE WILL BARELY MOVE. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO IS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO WE ARE SENT HOME WITHOUT ANY "FIX." LATEST EVENT OCCURRED ON 12/17/2012. DEALER'S RESPONSE: "CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE …
MY 2008 TAURUS SEL FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. 100 YARDS LATER, ON AN UPHILL STREET, THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE AND ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE. I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC SO I HAD TO REV THE ENGINE AT MAX RPM TO BARELY MAKE IT OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. …
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY 2008 FORD TAURUS' TRANSMISSION SLAMMED, THEN ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS LIT UP AND THE SPEEDOMETER RESET TO ZERO, STAYING THAT WAY UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. BECAUSE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF TRAFFIC, ON INTERSTATE 75, IN ATLANTA, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE TO THE FAR LEFT OR RIGHT. THOUGH IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 4:30 IN THE MORNING ON A WORKDAY, THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND FAST…
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 …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 ford Taurus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 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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