Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2009 Ford Taurus X with NHTSA between 2013 and 2025.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
423.5%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 49,150 mi
Body & Structure
317.6%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 59,000 mi
Steering
211.8%
Median failure at 165,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Equipment & Accessories
15.9%
Median failure at 190,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.9%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Tires
15.9%
Suspension
15.9%
Brakes
15.9%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Airbags
15.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 190,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
15.9%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
214.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
428.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.1%
150,000+ miles
428.6%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2009 Ford Taurus X 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
13.3% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2013peak 4Jun 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 190,000 milesSantee, SCCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE STRUCK A DEER. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ASSESSED THE DAMAGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DESTROYED BY THE CRASH. BASED ON THAT FINDING, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10846096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,300 milesNewport News, VACrash
POWER TRAIN
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE PETAL, CAR ACCELERATED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD TO APPLY BRAKE HARDER TO GET VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10575491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,300 milesNewport News, VACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE PETAL, CAR ACCELERATED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD TO APPLY BRAKE HARDER TO GET VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10575491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesHouston, TX1 injured
STEERING
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 OF THE INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10556281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesOakland, MICrash
POWER TRAIN
PUT CAR IN DRIVE WENT FORWARD LIKE A JET HIT BASKETBALL HOOP WAS CEMENTED IN GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10533876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesOakland, MICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
PUT CAR IN DRIVE WENT FORWARD LIKE A JET HIT BASKETBALL HOOP WAS CEMENTED IN GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10533876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ann Arbor, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front subframe (also referred to as K-frame, engine cradle, crossmember) rusted through forming large holes in two locations which could cause failure of the front subframe during operation. Locations mirror each other, are at the forward-facing side of the cross member just in from the point where the crossmember connects to the side beams of the K-Frame. Holes formed at ~100,000 miles. The subframe overall has moderate rust and metal is fully intact. Rest of the vehicle has minimal corrosion. Ford discontinued the part and has no remaining inventory. No aftermarket part exists. Part number is: 9F9Z-5C145-A Prior part numbers: 8A4Z-5C145-B, 8A4Z-5C145-D
NHTSA complaint #11666214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ann Arbor, MI
SUSPENSION
Front subframe (also referred to as K-frame, engine cradle, crossmember) rusted through forming large holes in two locations which could cause failure of the front subframe during operation. Locations mirror each other, are at the forward-facing side of the cross member just in from the point where the crossmember connects to the side beams of the K-Frame. Holes formed at ~100,000 miles. The subframe overall has moderate rust and metal is fully intact. Rest of the vehicle has minimal corrosion. Ford discontinued the part and has no remaining inventory. No aftermarket part exists. Part number is: 9F9Z-5C145-A Prior part numbers: 8A4Z-5C145-B, 8A4Z-5C145-D
NHTSA complaint #11666214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesElm Grove, WI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Taurus X. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and hauling a trailer, the tow hitch detached from the vehicle, causing the passenger’s side of the trailer to collapse. No one was injured. The contact was able pull over on the side of the roadway with the driver’s side of the trailer still attached to the vehicle. The contact detached the trailer from the vehicle and had the trailer hauled by another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the rear sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000
NHTSA complaint #11519812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesElm Grove, WI
TRAILER HITCHES
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Taurus X. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and hauling a trailer, the tow hitch detached from the vehicle, causing the passenger’s side of the trailer to collapse. No one was injured. The contact was able pull over on the side of the roadway with the driver’s side of the trailer still attached to the vehicle. The contact detached the trailer from the vehicle and had the trailer hauled by another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the rear sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000
NHTSA complaint #11519812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGloversville, NY
POWER TRAIN
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 WHEN PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #11229670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 269,000 milesFairmont, MN
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. IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT SUDDENLY CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT TURN GOING 15 MPH WHEN I WAS COMPLETING THE TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT DIRECTION OF TRAVEL FORCING ME BRAKE HARD TO PREVENT GOING INTO HEAD-ON TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD FORCE THE WHEEL BACK. NOW, IT HAS LIMITED INTERMITTENT POWER ASSIST GOING THROUGH THE FULL STEERING RANGE.
NHTSA complaint #11103538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesSantee, SCCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD TAURUS X. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE STRUCK A DEER. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND CONTACTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY ASSESSED THE DAMAGE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DESTROYED BY THE CRASH. BASED ON THAT FINDING, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10846096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rensselaer, NY
TIRES
ON SEPT 23, 2015 WE PURCHASED A SET OF DEFINITY TIRES FROM PEP BOYS. WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE MADE BY COOPER TIRES. WE TRIED TO REGISTER THE TIRES IN ORDER TO GET A RECALL NOTICE AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO BE REGISTERED AS THEY WERE MADE IN TAIWAN. WE HAVE CONTACTED PEP BOYS AND THEY WILL NOT CHANGE THE TIRES FOR AMERICAN MADE ONES. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION TO LET US KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL AND THAT WE DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER THE TIRES. WE THINK THIS IS WRONG AND FRAUDULENT. PLEASE ADVISE US AS TO WHAT TO DO. THEY CLAIM THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW WHICH WE THINK IS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10788780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSeattle, WA
ENGINE
THE INCIDENT DATE, VEHICLE MILEAGE AND VEHICLE SPEED ARE ALL GUESSES AS I AM NOT SURE OF THAT INFORMATION. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, IT WILL JUST STOP WORKING AND SLOWS DOWN TO A SNAILS PACE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON THE WAY THEY WOULD IF YOU DIDN'T TURN YOUR CAR ON ALL THE WAY. THE SHORT TERM SOLUTION EACH TIME HAS BEEN TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT BUT IT IS VERY SCARY AS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHERE I SHOULDN'T BE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY MONTH OR SO (EXAMPLES INCLUDE: AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET WITH A CAR THAT WOULDN'T DRIVE; WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO TURN LEFT TO GO DOWN A HILL; WHEN WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT.) I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD BUT FORD'S POSITION IS THAT I CAN KEEP DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10618995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSeattle, WA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE INCIDENT DATE, VEHICLE MILEAGE AND VEHICLE SPEED ARE ALL GUESSES AS I AM NOT SURE OF THAT INFORMATION. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, IT WILL JUST STOP WORKING AND SLOWS DOWN TO A SNAILS PACE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON THE WAY THEY WOULD IF YOU DIDN'T TURN YOUR CAR ON ALL THE WAY. THE SHORT TERM SOLUTION EACH TIME HAS BEEN TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT BUT IT IS VERY SCARY AS I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHERE I SHOULDN'T BE STOPPED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY MONTH OR SO (EXAMPLES INCLUDE: AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET WITH A CAR THAT WOULDN'T DRIVE; WHILE I WAS ABOUT TO TURN LEFT TO GO DOWN A HILL; WHEN WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT.) I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD BUT FORD'S POSITION IS THAT I CAN KEEP DRIVING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10618995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,300 milesNewport News, VACrash
POWER TRAIN
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE PETAL, CAR ACCELERATED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD TO APPLY BRAKE HARDER TO GET VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10575491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,300 milesNewport News, VACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE PETAL, CAR ACCELERATED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING PARKED VEHICLE IN FRONT. HAD TO APPLY BRAKE HARDER TO GET VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10575491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesBrownstown, MI
POWER TRAIN
WHILE TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES AS IF SOMEONE IS PUTTING ON THE BRAKES, OR MORE LIKE THE CAR IS DROPPED INTO THE LOWEST GEAR POSSIBLE. AFTER THE CAR IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP IT RESUMES NORMAL OPERATIONS. THIS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I POINTED OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN IN REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE PERFORMING THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR LITERALLY GRINDS TO A STOP, OR ONE OUT TWO MILES AN HOUR, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10574126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesBrownstown, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES AS IF SOMEONE IS PUTTING ON THE BRAKES, OR MORE LIKE THE CAR IS DROPPED INTO THE LOWEST GEAR POSSIBLE. AFTER THE CAR IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP IT RESUMES NORMAL OPERATIONS. THIS HAPPENED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I POINTED OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN IN REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM BUT SINCE PERFORMING THE SOFTWARE UPDATE IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR LITERALLY GRINDS TO A STOP, OR ONE OUT TWO MILES AN HOUR, IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10574126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesHouston, TX1 injured
STEERING
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 OF THE INTERSECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10556281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesOakland, MICrash
POWER TRAIN
PUT CAR IN DRIVE WENT FORWARD LIKE A JET HIT BASKETBALL HOOP WAS CEMENTED IN GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10533876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesOakland, MICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
PUT CAR IN DRIVE WENT FORWARD LIKE A JET HIT BASKETBALL HOOP WAS CEMENTED IN GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10533876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
