2009 Ford Taurus X Problems & Complaints

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

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. *TR

PUT CAR IN DRIVE WENT FORWARD LIKE A JET HIT BASKETBALL HOOP WAS CEMENTED IN GROUND. *TR