KnownCarProblems2003 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Taurus, most often about the transmission (26% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Ford Taurus problems
Transmission
316 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
Transmission failure on 2003 Ford Taurus. Car would not go forward or reverse after pulling out into traffic although the engine was running fine. On-coming traffic had to stop or swerve to avoid my stopped car. This happened with absolutely no warning or previous problems. I found 68 other documented cases identical…
Driving car to the store and came out our car would not move. Ran fine but would not go into gear. Mechanic said our torque converter went out. They see about 2-3 Taurus's a month with the same problem. Cost around $800.00 to fix. Needs recalled considering all the complaints I've been reading with the same problem.
Suspension
313 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Today is thanksgiving. I drove home on tuesday night (two nights ago), a trip of approximately 500 miles from college to see my family. Last night, as I put my 2003 Ford Taurus into drive in my church parking lot, I began to go forward and heard a gigantic "boom." I stopped the vehicle, and noticed that my front right…
Front drivers side coil spring snapped causing car to fall on tire. Punctured tire, ruined strut and brake line. This happened while backing out of drive way, had this taken place while traveling down the road it would have easily killed or injured everyone in the car. There was no indication leading up to this that…
Visibility and wipers
196 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield.
Blower motor failure due to water leaking into blower case on my 2003 Ford Taurus, I took my car to the Ford dealer to get the blower repaired or replaced. After they replaced the blower, they told me that it wasn't covered under my 6 yr/ 75000 mi. Bumper to bumper warranty because of water leaking into the blower…
I noticed a puddle of water in my passenger side floor board. Shortly after, the heat started to kick off and on, then eventually kicked off completely. Now, we just replaced the heater and air conditioner motor blower and relay because the motor burned out due to excessive water damage. This water damage is…
Body and structure
111 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Blower motor failure due to water leaking into blower case on my 2003 Ford Taurus, I took my car to the Ford dealer to get the blower repaired or replaced. After they replaced the blower, they told me that it wasn't covered under my 6 yr/ 75000 mi. Bumper to bumper warranty because of water leaking into the blower…
The heater in my car failed. We called the Ford parts department and they told me it was a known problem that the cowl, relay and blower failed due to water leakage. We took the car in they said the cost would be 400.00 which I could not afford at that time. Now I have no choice winter is here and I need my heater…
Electrical
97 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, starter assembly, alternator/generator/regulator.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact experienced several wiring malfunctions with the vehicle. The instrument panel lights would periodically illuminate automatically, and the headlights were also turning on and off without activating the light switch. The engine would also rev automatically and, when…
When someone was going to do something about the stalling problems while driving2003 Ford Taurus. Sometimes it wasd at a stop, but it also happened at highway speeds. It choked out, the gauges went haywire, and it stalled. Thiswas something I found on blogs was a common complaint by Taurus owners. It was a distraction…
Engine
90 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle's cooling fan has failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who found that the blower motor had failed along with the cooling fan. The failure was caused by water entering inside of the cow panel. The failure of the blower motor caused the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact experienced several wiring malfunctions with the vehicle. The instrument panel lights would periodically illuminate automatically, and the headlights were also turning on and off without activating the light switch. The engine would also rev automatically and, when…
Speed control
88 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, linkages, accelerator pedal, cables.
The vehicle begins to throttle and then shut off at any time if your foot is not on the gas. The vehicle also stays or goes up in speed while you are driving. I had thought this was the fuel pump but learned it is not. Im afraid that whatever the problem may be I could be driving the speed will go up on its own and…
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus sedan ses. The contact stated that while the brakes were depressed the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage…
Air bags
46 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I was recently involved in a front end collision. I was driving a 2002 Ford Taurus se. I was driving on the freeway doing about 55 MPH. A chain reaction of accidents started and I was unable to stop in time to avoid rear ending the car in front of me. Approximate speed at the time of impact was 50 MPH. The entire…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact was involved in a head-on crash while driving 55 MPH. The passenger side air bag deployed, but the driver side air bag did not. The contact sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The purchase date was unknown. The current and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Ford Taurus recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Lights: switch
Risk: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
Fix: Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace these windshields. Owner notification began on march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford/mercury at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields may potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Speed control cable damage
Summary
On june 21, 2013, ford initiated customer satisfaction program 13b04 to address a concern with speed control cable damage in certain model year (my) 2000 through 2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l 4v duratec engines and built at the chicago assembly plant.in the dealer letter for the program, ford indicates that the speed control cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming partially disconnected during under hood vehicle maintenance (e.g., replacing a battery or changing the air filter) and that a damaged speed control cable could interfere with the throttle's full return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released.ford's program instructs dealers t
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
To date, odi is aware of 2,401 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect. In addition, odi is aware of 1,411 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect. In total, odi is aware of 3,645 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures. Odi is also aware of four minor crashes related to the alleged defect resulting in one minor injury.with greater than eight years of exposure, a large subject vehicle population and approximately 2,052 reported front tire punctures caused by fractured coil springs (at all speeds), there have been no reported severe crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleg
Engine stalling ffv
Summary
On october 11, 2006, public citizen petitioned odi to investigate reports of engine stalls caused by e85 fuel in certain model year (my) 2003 - 2005 ford taurus flex-fuel vehicles (ffv). Odi's review of the petition and other available data found a low stall rate attributable to e-85 fueling and that the main concerns,prolonged engine start and rough idle during cold engine startup at winter temperatures, were resolved by an engine software update.to ensure that all subject vehicles receive this update, ford initiated a notification campaign to offer free engine computer recalibration.based on this information, this defect petition is denied. This denial should not be construed as a finding
Brake light switch failure
Summary
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v-078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v-078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v-078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in t
Questions about the 2003 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (316 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); suspension (313 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); visibility and wipers (196 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Taurus have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2004 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000, with 1,223 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.