Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Taurus X owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought this vehicle used from a lot. It had 2 previous owners and came with all the service history. I first noticed the vehicle seemed like it didn't want to go into overdrive . It would get to about 70 mph which would have the rpm's at 3k! The 2nd time or so that we got it to these speeds (on interstate) the vehicle suddenly clunked , steering wheel jerked , vehicle lost power - I had my 2 children in the vehicle and I was pregnant. We had to pull over immediately . After sitting side the road for a few , it crunk up and we rode out . Only for it to happen 2 more times. And this is not the only thing effected by this . Not long after I got it , I started noticing a hard shift / clunk / slam when going into gear and especially when the vehicle has just tried to downshift and I pressed the gas again . Due to this , I'm unable to tell when and if we can pull out into traffic and such. …
Ongoing transmission upshift problems. Upon leaving the driveway first thing, or soon after coming to a stop and trying to accelerate again the transmission at times refuses to up shift then slams into gear at high RPM. Dealer/other mechanics have not been able to duplicate although there are 2 TSB on these 6f50 transmissions. Worse in colder months and somewhat random. Besides the cumulative damage this is doing we are worried that the transmission May fail entirely at the exact wrong time (waiting to turn left in an intersection, waiting to enter highway etc) resulting in serious injury. Researching online, this is a common problem for this transmission type ( see http://www.fordtaurus.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=15703&start=80 ) and especially the 2008 Taurus x model year. The 2008 Ford Taurus x was a design refresh of the Ford freestyle, which was later dropped by Ford in 2009. …
We bought our Taurus x used in 2013. Drove around fine for a month or two, would notice that occasionally it would buck as it shifted from 2-3 or 3-4; then would drive 'funny' until the car was shut off and then started back up; the speedometer would fluctuate and when accelerating the speedometer would drop even as we were increasing speed. If using cruise control on the highway it would go exceedingly fast as a result. This happened off and on for most of a year, we would just shut the car off and turn it back on and would be good to go. Could not recreate it, but would happen at least once a week. Last fall, the transmission finally cooked as a result. Now the car will only drive in reverse and 1st, when it shifts into 2nd, it loses power like the gear won't fully engage. …
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 several seconds, it would be back to normal. I tried taking it to the pegues hurst dealership but since they could not duplicate the issue, even though the vehicle is still under warranty, they say they could not do anything about it. The Taurus x has about 64,000 miles on it currently. It most recently happened on about December 7th 2015. If this happens again while pulling into traffic, it could easily cause an accident since the vehicle loses power for several seconds.
For the past 2-3 year, when attempting to turn the steering wheel left or right, vehicle looses power steering. Took the car into Ford dealership, while under warranty, and was repeatedly told by service tech, mechanic did not notice a problem. Vehicle shudders when backing up and struggles to shift gears when accelerating on highway. ABS brake system kicks in for no apparent reason when driving. Grinding noise coming from rear wheel on drivers side when driving the vehicle. Took car to mechanic and was told no power steering, need ball bearing replacement and need new/ rebuilt transmission. Completely disgusted as the car is only 7 years old. Why cant similarly situated owners of the Ford Taurus-x seem to get the NHTSA to take any real action on our behalf? I'm confused. Please help!!!
Problem 1, paint peeling off hood and rough metal under problem 2, transmission began failing while under warrenty, dealership could not get any codes to show problem this, has continued to present. Was notifed this week by dealer that transmission needs replaced, but because every time you turn off the car the codes reset. Ford motor company and the dealer do not want to assist in the repairs of over $4500.00. Bought extended warranty to 75,000 miles and problem first documented on there forms was at 60,000 miles. While driving the car would down shift and jerk. Happened several time and each time took to dealer they could not find a problem. On several occasions the car would not go in reverse but after turning car off and restarting it would.
The Ford Taurus x has 57,945 miles on it. Two times while driving the vehicle on the interstate highway the dash showed all zeros and the car lost power. The check engine light came on. The car exhibited slow acceleration and unusual shifting. I took it and had the OBD code read. The code indicated that it was a speed sensor in the transmission (p720). The code was reset and the car is currently being driven. It happened twice within a two-week period. I own two 2008 Ford Taurus and it happened on the same day to both of them. I will be filing incident information on the other vehicle too.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus x. While driving at any speed, all of the warning lights illuminated and the acceleration failed. When the battery was disconnected and reconnected, the failure went away for approximately two months. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an issue with the transmission sensors. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
W driving at all different speeds the transmission will jump. The little wrench light will come on the code is p0715. Tss sensor. The rpms will go up once this happens and the light is on, at this point there is no power and I was almost hit by a truck while all my family was in car. If I stop and turn the car off the light will reset its self. This is a very dangerous thing. My whole family could have been killed. Ford knows this is a very common thing in this transmission. It should be recalled before someone gets killed
While at a stop sign or traffic light withmy foot on the brake the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. I have almost been thrown into traffic due to the independent accelerated. After this happening sevral times and phone calls to the dealer and then taking the car into the dealer.the Ford dealer stated they have seen this alot and the problem was in the throddel body. However, I had to still pay $700.00 to have their known problem fixed. Car mileage 113,000.
Transmission complaints in other Taurus X years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Ford Taurus X?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Ford Taurus X, 27% of the model year's 153 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Taurus X transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Ford Taurus X, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Taurus X transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.