This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2008 Taurus, bought new 11/7/7, 33 miles. 11/12/13 repair ' 31,682 miles ' rack and pinion steering started to fail while driving. Replaced for $889.82, not under warranty; Ford covered none of the cost. 1/2/20 repair ' 65,691 miles ' rack and pinion steering failed again immediately after a 30-mile drive. Replaced for $954.87 plus tax. Ford covered none of the cost.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. While driving 20 mph, the steering wheel separated from the steering shaft without warning. Ron lewis Ford beaver falls (201 7th ave, beaver falls, pa 15010, (724) 843-1000) was notified and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
Power steering went while driving in wet icy conditions. Seems to go in and out now, usually out. Checked fluid levels and they are fine. Seems to work making left turns with engine at higher rpms. Everything I'm reading points to the rack and pinion steering failure. This is a heavy car and dangerous to drive without power steering.1 repair cost range between $800 and $1,300.
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.
Car has around 87,000 miles. While leaving the driveway the wheel became very hard to turn, as if the power steering went out. The steering is on and off with the power steering. Took it to private mechanic and was told the power steering needs to be replaced at a cost of $1200. Really sucks because we just bought the car about 1000 miles ago. After looking on line I find this is a common problem, why isn't this a recall?
- Wadsworth, OH, USA
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After having the vehicle for 5 months, the steering went out while tring to exit a driveway. Was told that due to my warranty drivetime would replace the power steering pump. After calling in to work on E occasions and waiting about 4 to 6 hours on each visit, just to be told that its my rack and pinion which drive time does not cover. Im not sure why they wouldnt cover the complete steering system. The mechanic said it will cost me 1000...5 months of having the vehicle
Driving in city when power steering suddenly became extremely hard to move, drove straight to dealer left it there until diagnoses and repair could be done. Determined that it was power steering gear and pump were bad. No warning sign when gave out, have older Chevy that gave noticeable warning when things are going out.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. Upon backing out of the garage and the driveway, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn left and right without warning. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the steering gears needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 7/21/15 updated 9/22/2015
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 traffic wasn't heavy, as this happened on a well traveled highway through our town. I had one of my children with me. Mechanic was called, vehicle not taken to shop yet. This issue is the most filed complaint on this site, and an absolute safety issue!!!! why is there not a recall"?? the following was taken directly from this site: "what is a safety-related defect" the United States code for motor vehicle safety (title 49, chapter 301) defines motor vehicle safety as 'the performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperational safety of a motor vehicle.' A defect includes any defect in performance, construction, a component, or material of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment.' Generally, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that: Poses an risk to motor vehicle safety, and may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture." Steering issues don't pose a risk to vehicle safety" all the same complaints don't show a problem may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture" in addition, this failure seems to happen when there are low miles on the odometer.
I was backing out of the driveway and I was trying to turn the steering wheel and I could not do so. Finally it did turn. While driving I was having difficulty steering. I was coming off an exit which was very curvy and I almost could not control the steering of the car.
Travelling home from Missouri to Oklahoma with my son in rainy conditions I noticed that the steering on my Taurus was tight and difficult to steer to the right. The car became difficult to steer and it felt like the power steering had been lost. Without warning the car veered to the right and became unsafe. I slowed to about 45 mph and was able to maintain control of the car. This is a safety problem that needs to be addressed by Ford. From what I've read, this steering problem seems to be common to this year Taurus. The cost of repairs, from what I've seen, averages above $1,000. What, if anything, is being done to correct this problem. I did read of one report that occurred while the car was under warranty. This should be a recall item because it is definitely a safety issue!
When turning to the right at city and highway speeds the steering wheel is extremely hard to turn to the right. Once the steering wheel is turned to negotiate an approximate 45 degree turn, the steering wheel wants to turn independently farther to the right. The steering is unstable at highway speeds.
I was starting to enter the highway and my steering started to tighten up. By the time I got onto the highway, I couldn't turn left at all. Luckily, I could still turn right. By the time I got off the highway, I couldn't steer at all. Was told by the mechanic I took it to it was a common problem with the Ford Taurus. I was quoted $1200 for repairs. I am a retired widow living on a fixed income, so I am unsure where to go from here. I will file a complaint with Ford next. My warranty expired in 2012.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passengers side of the vehicle and suddenly the power steering failed, causing the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,500.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel seized and he had to use extreme force to complete the turn. The contact stated that the issue continued after he completed the turn however, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the worm gear and the power assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000. Updated 05/12/14 MA updated 8/8/17
I purchased my 2008 Taurus with 27,000 miles on it. It had a clean carfax report with no accidents. Shortly thereafter, I noticed a popping noise in the front of the car. At 48,000 miles, as I was entering a parking space at a restaurant, the steering locked up. I had to replace the rack and pinion assembly at a cost of $480. I currently have 60,000 miles on the car and am getting the same noise with the replacement parts. Is this a common problem with this model and has there been any recalls associated with this issue?
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.
Steering is very difficult to use. While driving, steering will go from normal ability to turn steering wheel to very hard. Nearly caused an accident! took car to private mechanic and was told steering rack had to be replaced. This cost over $1100 to replace!
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when completing a left turn, the steering wheel would become seize and exhibit and abnormal pop sound. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic where it was determined that the entire rack and pinion assembly would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the rack and pinion would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician stated that the rack and pinion would have to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 38,898.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Prior Lake, MN, USA