The 2009 Ford Taurus is either the best American-made full-size four-door released in 2009, or it’s tied with the Chevy Impala. The car will last a quarter million miles easy, and it’s priced to move, starting at just under $5,500 in the Blue Book.
Is the 2009 Ford Taurus a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The 2009 Ford Taurus is simply an excellent sedan at a great price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – One of the biggest, roomiest cars in its class, with an industry-leading 21-cubic-foot trunk.
- Reliability 8/10 – You’ll probably hit the first quarter million miles with no major repairs.
- Safety 8/10 – The Taurus boasts impressive crash test scores and a good list of standard safety features.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – You could do a lot worse than 15/22 miles to the gallon in a 2009 full-size. You could do a lot better, too.
- Value 8/10 – The Toyota Avalon is the best full-size sedan released in 2009. But, the Taurus is probably the best one you’re going to find for under six grand.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Ford Taurus?
Consumer Reports found the relaunched Ford Taurus to be quicker and more responsive than previous models, or the rebranded Ford 500, they note that the tradeoff in fuel economy might not be worth it. But, it’s still a Taurus, and it still delivers everything we love about the iconic Ford sedan.
Kelley Blue Book recommended the 2009 Taurus as a cost-effective alternative to pricier full-size sedans. They liked the all wheel drive, too. They note that the lack of a V8 engine option might be a deal-breaker for many drivers, and the car’s grandpa-sedan styling is outdated.
Edmunds found the safety ratings impressive, they liked the big back seat and trunk, they found the ride comfortable, and they liked the car’s all wheel drive performance. They put limited interior features, squishy-feeling brake pedals, and “uninspiring handling” in the minuses column.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Ford Taurus Have?
The 2009 Ford Taurus has generated just 63 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly one third of these are for engine cooling issues, with drivers report that the engine will overheat and stall out. Failure mileage has been reported as low as 19,000 miles.
A handful of airbag complaints see drivers reporting failure to deploy. One driver states that they were struck by a Dodge Ram and the airbags simply did not activate.
There are a few complaints on file regarding erratic shifting, hard shifting, and stalled shifting when engaging the transmission. This can be accompanied by clunking and banging noises. Drivers have reported this issue at mileage as low as 42,000.
The 2009 Ford Taurus has only been recalled once, with just three units being called back to the shop for defects with their wheelchair lift belts.
How Long Will the 2009 Ford Taurus Last?
The Ford Taurus is one of the longest lasting American-made sedans, with drivers regularly lasting more than 250,000 miles. 300,000 isn’t unrealistic, but bet on 250,000 when deciding whether it’s worth your money, as you can’t be sure how well the previous owner maintained the car.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $511, which is reasonable for a full-size sedan from this model year. New heater cores tend to account for the most expensive common fixes, starting at around $763.
Very reliable vehicle. Never had any manufacturer recalls, and I have never had any problems. Great traveling car.
I've had the car for 10 years and have only had a handful of problems the most serious being transmission problems when I first got the car. Luckily it was still under warranty.
We had owned several Ford vehicles and the only problem with most is that they shift hard from first to second gear. This Taurus is no different.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Taurus is pretty good for the model year. CD/MP3 players come standard, and that can be upgraded to include a USB port, Bluetooth, and SYNC voice activation.
Safety technology is pretty good, too. All the basics come standard, so you’ve got anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control.
Is the 2009 Ford Taurus a Good Value?
The 2009 Ford Taurus is a pretty good value at current Kelley Blue Book prices. An entry-level SE typically lists for around $5,453, while a Limited edition will go for around $7,062.
These prices are fair enough, but they’re even better when you consider that they’re for models with just 120,000 miles on the odometer. With a well-maintained Taurus typically lasting around 250,000, this means you could double that number before it’s time for the first major repair.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Ford Taurus?
The 2009 Ford Taurus is available in three trim levels, from the base SE to the high-end Limited.
With the entry-level SE you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- 6-way power adjust driver seat
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls
- CD/MP3 player
- Anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control
The mid-range SEL adds:
- Heated mirrors
- Premium sound package
- SIRIUS satellite radio
In a top-of-the-line Limited edition you’re adding:
- Leather seating
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Heated front seats
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
- SYNC voice activation and Bluetooth
What Engines Come In the 2009 Ford Taurus?
- The 2009 Ford Taurus packs a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 263 horsepower and 249 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in all wheel drive, and it averages 15/22 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2009 Ford Taurus Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Ford Taurus?
The 2009 Ford Taurus lives up to its “full-size” classification when it comes to comfort, offering up 54 inches of hip room, ample head and leg room, and firm seating on smooth suspension. It’s difficult to find anything to complain about in the comfort department.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Ford Taurus Have?
With 21 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, the 2009 Ford Taurus offers the largest trunk in its class outside of a handful of premium luxury cars. You could pack around nine or ten medium suitcases back there, or just take a long road trip without having to make a lot of supply stops.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the second model year for the Taurus’ 5th Generation, which ran for just two model years.
2007: The Taurus was nowhere to be seen on the commercial market for 2007, being a fleet-only vehicle while the Ford 500 took the sedan’s place in the public.
2008: For the 5th Generation comeback, Ford upgraded the Taurus to a full-size sedan for greater comfort and safety.
2009: There were no big changes for 2009.
2010: The 6th Gen Taurus was launched in 2010 with a brand new 263 horsepower 3.5L V6 Duratec under the hood.
2011: No big changes for 2011.
How Does the 2009 Ford Taurus Compare to the Competition?
A 2009 Ford Taurus may be the best full-size sedan released in 2009 for the money. The 2009 Toyota Avalon is a little more fuel efficient, and more likely to reach 300,000 miles, but the entry level model starts two thousand dollars higher than the Taurus.
Chevy’s Impala had a good year in 2009, delivering smooth suspension and a reliable powertrain at around the same price as a Taurus. The trunk is a little smaller, but some drivers find the cabin a little more comfortable.
You can’t go wrong with any of these full-size sedans. The Avalon would probably be the best of the bunch if money is no object, but the Impala and the Taurus offer that rugged American-made feel at a low price.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Ford Taurus?
I have owned my vehicle since 2012, and I absolutely love it! Other than regular maintenance, I have only ever had to replace the alternator.
It is a good vehicle. It is a very roomy vehicle and good on gas. Trunk has enough space for wheelchair.
Yes, we bought it used & haven't had any problems with it. We use it for family trips because it’s roomy enough for our family of five. I also like that it doesn't sit low to the ground making it easy to get in and out of.