2008 Ford Taurus: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Engine · 80,000 miles · LA

I was driving 55 MPH with a truck close behind, when it just died. I had no power steering, brakes, etc. I was scared to death thinking I was going to be hit by the truck behind me. I was in a curve, and thankfully there was a store. It took all my strength to turn the car in, and somehow I was able to come to a stop. I had no warning, no light came on and my son came to see what was wrong. He said it was overheating. We had it towed home and when he checked it the oil was creamy , whitish. He had never seen anything like it. We researched it, and found numerous complaints about the cyclone engine failure due to the water pump failing, which is inside the engine along with the timing chain!!! I was shocked! Water pumps go bad, everyone knows that. Why would any company put a water pump inside the motor?!?! I never would have bought it if I had known because it is just wrong. Then I found out ford had been using that engine for over 10 years, even with all the complaints and I wonder how many accidents and injuries and deaths have been caused by this. I could have been killed!!!! Why is there no recall? I can't afford to have a new engine put in, I'm 63 and disabled. I don't know what I am going to do. With all the catastrophic engine failures due to this, I am shocked that ford has not helped us out. They must have a lot of lawsuits. Please help if you can, I am sick about it.

Filed Sep 11, 2016 · Steering · 87,000 miles · OH

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?

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · GA

Purchased vehicle in feb 2010. Driven to take children to and from school and back home approx total mileage round trip daily is 6 miles at most. First instance happened when approaching a stop sign and slowing down by pressing the brake but the motor accelerated rpms instead as if I were pressing the gas. Lasted few seconds and began doing as it should. Next instant happened couple months later when pressing the brake to stop after returning home from taking children to school. Tried to stop in my driveway when I reached the house and the motor accelerated instead and had to turn the switch off to make it stop making the acceleration noise. This has happened several times with each time a little more intense. Most recently, while taking my son to a travelball tournament I slowed to stop at a stop sign and it briefly revved the motor. When I tried to start going again it took a second for the car to actually go, then began running normal. Few miles down the road traveling about 45 miles per hour all of a sudden lost all ability to control the vehicle when the motor began accelerating but car slowing down as if it had been knocked out of gear. The difference was it was still in gear and pressing the brake did nothing and steering became very difficult. Managed to get off the road and stopped then it just started driving normal again. Proceeded to drive to destination and slowed to turn right at intersection with oncoming traffic when car did the same thing again. That was a month ago and has not done it since.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Steering · 23,401 miles · PA

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.

Filed May 29, 2014 · Steering · 38,500 miles · KY

Tl* 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.

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Steering · 45,000 miles · MA

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!

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Steering · 35,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford taurus. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 36,000 .