The 2008 draws 2.41 complaints per run and the 2009 1.11, a 2.2-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 74.3% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Steering, with 41 complaints, typically at 5 years.
Ford Taurus X years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 | 9 | yes | |
| 2008 | 135 | 56 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2008 Taurus X asks a median $2,500, against $4,250 for a 2009, the next model year: about 41% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 2 Ford Taurus X years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2008, 2009; the three worth hunting are 2009, 2008.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 5.7% | covered | |
| 1 year | 11.4% | covered | |
| 2 years | 25.7% | covered | |
| 3 years | 40% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 46.4% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 60% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 67.1% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 73.6% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 80.7% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 85% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 89.3% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 92.1% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 95.7% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 98.6% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 25.7% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 74.3% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 28% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Steering at 5 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 5.7 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5.7 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Structure | 4.6 yrs | 4 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 4.6 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 7.2 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Suspension | 5.8 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Taurus X's vehicle class. Per production run, the Subaru Outback draws 3.64, the Toyota Land Cruiser 1.49 and the Subaru Forester 3.35, against 2.23 for the Taurus X.
| Same class as the Taurus X | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 159 | 2005–2026 | |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 85 | 1981–2026 | |
| Subaru Forester | 121 | 1998–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 57 | 2002–2026 | |
| Honda Element | 100 | 2003–2011 | |
| Jeep Liberty | 80 | 1993–2013 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Taurus X reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 2.23 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
When do Taurus X problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Steering, typically at 5 years, followed by Power Train.
Will the warranty cover Taurus X problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 25.7% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 28% of the complaints here.
Is the Taurus X more reliable than the Subaru Outback?
Yes: 2.23 complaints per production run for the Taurus X against 3.64 for the Subaru Outback.
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