Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled however, she was able to pull over and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the engine temperature gauge was indicating that the engine was overheating. The contact observed that white smoke was coming out from under the hood. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to her residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The independent mechanic determined that the head gasket had blown and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an inspection, the dealer advised him to stop driving the vehicle due to corrosion of the subframe, caliper, steering arm, brakes, and a hole in the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Waiting at a flashing red arrow to turn left. Traffic cleared, I accelerated, got barely into intersection, car choked, would barely move. Semi truck put up huge plumes of blue smoke from tires burning on dry pavement. Truck barely stopped before t-bone in my drivers door. Certainly would have been killed. Coil pack on cylinder #2 burned out, also burning out PCM computer on board. Repaired and replaced both. Cylinder #2 coil pack burned out 2 more times since. Cylinder #4 coil pack burned out once since. PCM computer had to be replaced twice more since original incident. Ford has had a tech bulletin out since 04/2011 on this problem. The loss of engine power with no prior warning is going to get people killed. I would not be writing this right now, if the semi would have been going a little faster, or would have been a little closer. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 60 MPH, one of the engine cylinders misfired and the speed drastically reduced to 35 MPH. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed the ignition coil was melted under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer stated that if there was no misfire on the coil, it would need to be replaced. The contact replaced the coil but, moments later, the new coil overheated and melted the PCM. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not think it was a safety concern. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The contact drove and stopped at the interstate where she noticed a strong burning odor coming from the vehicle, which caused breathing issues. The contact had to open the windows while driving. The contact also stated that the engine light failed to turn on. Once the contact shut off and restarted the vehicle, the engine light turned on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil plugs, PCM, and computer burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 85,197.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCM sent excessive energy to the coil pack causing it to melt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,516.
I was driving 55 MPH with a truck close behind, when it just died. I had no power steering, brakes, etc. I was scared to death thinking I was going to be hit by the truck behind me. I was in a curve, and thankfully there was a store. It took all my strength to turn the car in, and somehow I was able to come to a stop. I had no warning, no light came on and my son came to see what was wrong. He said it was overheating. We had it towed home and when he checked it the oil was creamy , whitish. He had never seen anything like it. We researched it, and found numerous complaints about the cyclone engine failure due to the water pump failing, which is inside the engine along with the timing chain!!! I was shocked! Water pumps go bad, everyone knows that. Why would any company put a water pump inside the motor?!?! I never would have bought it if I had known because it is just wrong. …
I have seen many many complaints about this same exact issue. The wrench symbol lights up on dash when driving and engine revs as if it is in neutral, low gas mileage symbol lights up and instead of saying how many gallons until empty, there are just 3 dots ( ---). I pull over, turn car off and putting it in park or any gear, it jerks and is loud. It seems as if everything on the car is just shutting down, yet still working. The wrench symbol happens more often, and all the other symbols are only sometimes. I just spent $1000 on the transmission getting repaired so it shouldnt be that. It also says " tire pressure monitor fault" when this happens. The car is very jerky and jerks forward. Doesnt seem very safe. After pulling over and turning the car off, it seems OK if I let it sit for 10 minutes or so. Sometimes, not all the time though. I never know.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning on numerous occasions. Prior to each failure, all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Future Ford in sacramento, california was made aware of the issue and replaced the fuel injector and the fuel injection sensor, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined through diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The Ford Taurus sel has 237,836 miles on it. Two times while driving the vehicle on the interstate highway then on a county road 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.
Engine complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Ford Taurus, 17% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Taurus engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Ford Taurus, 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.