The Lemon Index2009 Ford Taurus.
The 2009 Ford Taurus is about average by owner complaints: 38 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 104, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ford Taurus year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 64 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Taurus year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 75K miles on the car (53 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 1K–9K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 14 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ford/lincoln: on some vehicles, transmission 5th gear start at stop, speed control drops or…
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
- If there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Coasting at about 40 mph, slightly downhill, a/c on, all dashboard lights came on, engine stopped, shifted to neutral, able to restart engine.
2009 Ford Taurus owner · NHTSA complaint 10275160
More owner reports
Accelerating from 30 to 40, a/c on, all dashboard lights came on, engine stopped running, able to shift to neutral and restart engine.
NHTSA complaint 10275155
On one occasion, driving 40 mph, slightly down hill, coasting, when engine shut off. Restarted engine while moving, after shifting to neutral. Took to dealer, no diagnostic codes found in computer.
NHTSA complaint 10263098
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Taurus reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Taurus year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Taurus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (47%), speed control (11%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Taurus have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Taurus get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Taurus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,900 and 75,300 miles. The middle report was at 31,400 miles, from 53 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Taurus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Taurus cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Taurus have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Taurus year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works