DecodedCars2009 Ford Taurus
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan FWD Sel/Limited, X 4dr Cuv FWD Sel/Limited
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 200.4–202 in
- Curb weight
- 3,644–3,960 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 21 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2009 large car (18.3 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Ford Taurus is a large car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,644 lb (4dr Sedan FWD Sel/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 15% better than the 2009 large car average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Taurus — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Taurus →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan FWD Sel/Limited | 202 in | 74.4 in | 61.4 in | 113 in | 65 / 64.6 in | 3,644 lb | 61/39 |
| X 4dr Cuv FWD Sel/Limited | 200.4 in | 74.8 in | 67.3 in | 113 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 3,960 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taurus FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | +15% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Taurus AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | +4% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Taurus X FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | -3% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Taurus X AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | +2% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Ford Taurus under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Ford Taurus (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Nissan Pathfinder | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Dodge Durango | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 Toyota Sequoia | 15 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · 695 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Not every 2009 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Taurus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Taurus years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 21 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2018 Taurus | 21 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 52 |
| 2017 Taurus | 23 | 203.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 44 |
| 2016 Taurus | 23 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 86 |
| 2015 Taurus | 26 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 280 |
| 2014 Taurus | 26 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 225 |
| 2013 Taurus | 25 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 9 | 564 |
| 2012 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 61 |
| 2011 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 133 |
| 2010 Taurus | 22 | 203.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 110 |
| 2008 Taurus | 22 | 202 in | Not rated | 1 | 128 |
| 2007 Taurus | 20 | – | Not rated | 0 | 46 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →