FordTaurus2008Overview/ford/taurus/2008/base/

2008 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Ford Taurus is a passenger car equipped with an automatic 6-spd transmission that achieves 17/24/19 mpg and requires 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Ownership data for this model year documents 175 total owner complaints with steering identified as the top complaint area, alongside 2 recalls. When contextualized within the model's history covering 1990-2019, where complaint counts range from a high of 1822 in 1993 to a low of 11 in 2019, the 2008 Taurus resides far below the peak volume. This placement indicates a complaint volume significantly lower than the model's historical maximum.

Model year20192018201720162015201420132008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height61.4 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3644 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Taurus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2008 Limited Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V66.80 sec15.50 sec263 hpFWD
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V67.20 sec15.70 sec263 hpAWD
2008Limited Sedan 3.5L V67.50 sec16.00 sec263 hpAWD
2008X Limited Wagon 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec263 hpFWD
2010SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.70 sec365 hpAWD
2010SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.70 sec365 hpAWD
2010SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.60 sec365 hpAWD
2010SHO Sedan 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.00 sec365 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0
Front Wheel Hub285 X Awd ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub285 X Awd ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub258 X FWD ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary systems, 1.63. With auxiliary systems, 2.00. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary systems, 7.00. With auxiliary systems, 9.50. oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature175-182 °F
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0118-0.0157 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket44 ft-lbs / 21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle111 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad Thickness0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.140 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.043 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Ford Taurus marks a transitional point in the fifth generation’s federal record, positioned between a period of declining complaints and recalls (2004–2007) and a brief uptick in recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs) in subsequent years. Complaints dropped sharply from 2003’s peak of 1,223 to just 175 in 2008, while recalls remained low (2) compared to earlier years, though slightly higher than the single recall in 2007. The data shows no investigations opened in 2008, consistent with the trend of minimal regulatory scrutiny from 2006 onward. However, the top complaint areas—steering (34), powertrain (25), and vehicle speed control (15)—align with persistent issues noted in adjacent model years, suggesting these were systemic rather than year-specific flaws. With 19 crash-related complaints and 7 fire incidents reported, the 2008 model doesn’t stand out as an outlier, but its position in the generation’s arc implies it benefited from earlier refinements while avoiding the recall spikes seen in later years (e.g., 2013’s 9 recalls). **Takeaway:** The 2008 Taurus is a relatively stable choice within its generation, with lower complaints than most prior years and no red flags in the federal data, though buyers should verify steering and powertrain service histories.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
175
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 175 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering34
Power Train25
Vehicle Speed Control15
Air Bags13
Suspension7
Engine6
Unknown Or Other5
Engine & Engine Cooling5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V247000Air Bags:FrontalReported 26/04/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 480702019-07-02Electrical SystemSome 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 464122017-02-27EquipmentSOME 2007-2016 EDGE/MKX/FLEX/MKT/MKZ/MKS/TAURUS/TAURUS POLICE/EXPLORER/EXPLORER POLICE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Taurus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Taurus take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taurus get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.