Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2009-FORD-TAURUS-X NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford

2009 Ford Taurus X problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 11 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

The 2009 Ford Taurus X has 11 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 58,325 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Ford Taurus X owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2008 Taurus X 153 1
2009 Taurus X (this page) 11 1
2009 Ford Taurus X
Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · representative photo of the Ford Taurus X
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.6 / 10

Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Taurus X?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2009 Ford Taurus X? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 58,325 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2009 Ford Taurus X

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →

<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2009-ford-taurus-x/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2009 Ford Taurus X reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2009-ford-taurus-x/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2009 Ford Taurus X reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints

powertrain
4 reports · fails ~58,325 mi · avg $2,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 Taurus X's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 Taurus X?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Taurus X · steering Injury
Suddenly wouldn't turn to the right when stopped, got increasing difficult from stopped position. The faster the vehicle would go the more the steering would loosen up. Makes intersections very dangerous and impossible to maneuver. Pulled shoulder muscle trying to steer out…
12/16/2013 · at 62,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10556281.0
2009 Taurus X · powertrain Crash
Put car in drive went forward like a jet hit basketball hoop was cemented in ground. *tr
08/06/2013 · at 59,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10533876.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2009 Taurus X · powertrain
Have a small power steering leak that turned out to be a racket pinion issue. I've talked to a few people with the same car and they have also had the same issue. Small leak in the same area that turned out to be the racket pinion needing replaced. You can really see the leak…
07/05/2019 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11229670.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2009 Taurus X · steering
Steering suddenly becomes very difficult like the power steering failed. It intermittently has power assist and the fluid level is good. I was told this a well known problem that is more common in the 2008 model. Diagnosis indicated the rack and pinion and/or gearbox is bad.…
06/23/2018 · at 269,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11103538.0
View all 11 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Ford Taurus X? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V247000 April 26, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Ford Taurus X reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ford Taurus X is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2009 Ford Taurus X?

On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Ford Taurus X does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2009 Ford Taurus X?

Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,325 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2009 Ford Taurus X a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 11 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 58,325 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Ford Taurus X?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,325 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 58,325 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Taurus X has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Ford Taurus X?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 11 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/Taurus X. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →