There are times when turning the steering wheel, I have a very hard time. I am over 6', and weigh 230 lbs. My wife is smaller, and she has one heck of a time turning the steering wheel. After reading problems other people have had, I decided to file a complaint. It is not safe. I believe a recall is in order for Ford to take care of this problem, not the owners of the vehicle.
2008 Ford Taurus steering problems
moderate 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 35 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Taurus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Owners have filed 35 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2008 Taurus steering system failure—particularly rack-and-pinion and power steering gear failures—is a recurring problem across this model year, with owners reporting lockup, loss of assist, and veer-outs from low mileage onward. Expect steering repairs ($800–$1,300) out-of-pocket even on newer used examples, as warranty typically will not cover these failures.
The 2008 Taurus has a well-documented steering defect, primarily affecting the rack-and-pinion assembly and power steering gear. Owners consistently report sudden lockup—the steering wheel becomes rock-hard or immobile during turns or low-speed maneuvers, requiring extreme force to complete a turn. The failure often happens without warning, though some owners hear a grinding or popping noise beforehand. One owner's wheel separated entirely from the shaft at 108,000 miles.
The failures occur across a wide mileage range: from under 30,000 miles (one case at 63 miles) to over 130,000 miles, though the majority cluster between 31,000 and 54,000 miles. Steering may go in and out, especially at low speeds, and sometimes restores temporarily after a restart. A few owners report steering pull or veer at highway speeds.
Repair costs run $480 to $1,300-plus for rack-and-pinion or gear replacement. Multiple owners reported failures early in ownership—within 5 months or at 34,000–50,000 miles—falling outside warranty coverage. One owner experienced two rack-and-pinion failures at 31,682 and 65,691 miles. Ford dealers have acknowledged this as a "known failure" but refused warranty reimbursement. The sheer volume of complaints, combined with the safety risk during highway driving, underscores why owners believe this warrants a recall.
Same Ford Taurus steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering gear lockup / seized steering wheel
Steering wheel suddenly becomes extremely difficult to turn or locks up completely, usually during turns (left or right) or low-speed maneuvers. Owners report having to apply extreme force to complete a turn; some say steering would not move at all. The failure typically occurs without warning and resolves temporarily after engine restart, though it recurs. Owners describe the wheel as binding or seizing.
When: Occurs across a wide mileage range, from 29,000 to 133,000 miles, though many failures reported in the 31,000–54,000 mile range. No clear mileage threshold.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes very stiff or won't turn; Steering wheel locks up or seizes during turns; Power steering assist cuts out intermittently, then returns; Extreme force required to turn steering wheel; Grinding noise heard during steering failure; Popping sound from steering assembly; Steering goes in and out, especially at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and mechanics have replaced: rack and pinion assembly ($480–$1,200+); power steering gear; worm gear and power assist; power steering pump; steering gears. Multiple owners report replacement costs in the $800–$1,300 range. One owner reported two rack-and-pinion failures at 31,682 miles ($889.82) and 65,691 miles ($954.87). One owner's replacement failed again shortly after install.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple owners stated Ford refused warranty coverage despite failures occurring early in vehicle life. One owner at 63 miles received no coverage. Warranty-period failures (under 34,000–50,000 miles) were reportedly denied. Some owners noted the issue is a 'known failure' per dealers but not recalled.
Steering instability / pull at highway speed
Vehicle steering pulls or veers to one direction without warning, particularly at highway speeds. One owner reported the steering wheel veered left at 55 mph; another described the wheel pulling right and then wanting to turn farther right on its own at highway and city speeds, making steering unstable and difficult to control.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (40–55 mph); one case at 133,000 miles, another during regular highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle veers to left or right without driver input; Steering wheel pulls to one direction; Steering wheel turns independently farther than intended; Steering is unstable at highway speeds; Difficult to control vehicle on curvy roads or exits
Repairs/costs cited: One owner diagnosed with rack and pinion needing replacement but did not repair. Another unrepaired case. No repair costs cited for these specific failures.
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails or stops functioning, leaving the steering extremely hard or impossible to turn. One owner had pump failure diagnosed at the dealer and was initially told warranty would cover a pump replacement, but it was later determined to be a rack-and-pinion failure instead (not covered). Steering may work intermittently and improve with higher engine RPMs.
When: At 5–87,000 miles; one case within 5 months of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist stops working; Steering becomes extremely hard to turn; Steering may work intermittently at higher engine RPMs; Fluid levels checked and found normal
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $1,200 for power steering repair. Dealer initially diagnosed as pump failure (warranty-covered) but later diagnosed as rack-and-pinion (not covered, ~$1,000). Another case diagnosed as both gear and pump bad.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One warranty claim initially approved for pump replacement only, then denied when root cause found to be rack and pinion. Owner required to pay out-of-pocket.
Steering wheel separation from steering shaft
Steering wheel physically separated from the steering shaft while driving, a critical safety event that rendered the vehicle unsteerable.
When: At 108,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel separated from steering shaft without warning while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Ron Lewis Ford Beaver Falls repaired the vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Steering noise and wear (popping, clicking)
Owners report popping or clicking noises coming from the steering assembly, particularly during turns. One owner purchased the vehicle at 27,000 miles with a popping noise in the front; steering locked up at 48,000 miles requiring rack-and-pinion replacement ($480). After replacement, the same popping noise recurred at 60,000 miles. Another case involved clicking during turns that dealers initially misdiagnosed as a CV axle issue.
When: Noises reported at 27,000–60,000 miles. One clicking case at low-speed turns.
Symptoms owners cite: Popping noise from front of vehicle; Clicking noise in steering wheel during turns; Noises progressive and worsening over time; Noise recurs even after rack-and-pinion replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replaced at 48,000 miles for $480. Noise recurred after replacement. One clicking case initially misdiagnosed; dealer suspected power steering after replacing CV axle and lubricating brakes.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Left turn from a stop, out of subdivision entrance. While turning, steering became extremely difficult. Immediately tried to get vehicle of the road. Before totally off the road, steering returned to normal. Started back into traffic and immediately seized again briefly, returning to normal. This was also accompanied by a grinding noise. Immediately returned home. Thankfully it was a sunday and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel veered to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
My steering tightened up to the point of almost being locked. I had to come to a complete stop so I would not hit the car in the intersection which I was turning in to. I have had several issues similar to this but it is becoming more frequent and serious. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
Had steering trouble with your 2008 Ford Taurus?
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 steering problem on the 2008 Ford Taurus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 35 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 35,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 46,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
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.