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CarComplaints.com Notes: Most people need a car that shifts gears & coil springs that don't shred tires. The Taurus fails in that respect.

The 2003 Ford Taurus has major issues with the transmission failing. Typically the 2003 Taurus transmission failure costs $2,000 to fix by about 90k-100k miles. Not good.

Adding insult to injury, the 1999-2003 Taurus also has a huge problem with coil springs breaking which can puncture or even shred tires while driving.

The US government spent THREE YEARS (2008-2011) investigating the 2002-2003 Taurus coil springs. Although Taurus/Sable from earlier years were recalled, ultimately the NHTSA did not force a recall. They determined that because there had been no deaths & very few bad crashes & injuries, the broken coil springs defect was no big deal & not a safety defect. Tell that to all the owners who had close calls...

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,050 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Taurus brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Ford Taurus Owner Comments

problem #4

Jun 022008

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just pulled into my workplace in my 2003 Ford Taurus and all of a sudden a loud bang and the drivers side front end fell right on my tire. No prior warning whatsoever. The front drivers side spring had broken. I did have extended coverage but what a hassle with the insurance company to get them to pay which they finally did minus a $100 deductible. Took 1 1/2 weeks to get it fixed and now something is wrong with the brakes.

- Carthage, NY, USA

problem #3

Nov 152004

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
While coming to a stop the caller hit the brake and the vehicle surged forward. It happened when vehicle was in park as well. Also, there was a sudden loss of power and rough idle when on the highway or city streets. The caller said there was poor gas mileage. Tool vehicle to dealer 7 times, on February 11, 2005, July 6, July 22, 2005, July 27, 2005, and August 12, 2005. Called the manufacturer, and manufacturer said they have had this problem in other vehicles. Dealer said they could not fix the problem and someone form the manufacturer will get back to him.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #2

Dec 032004

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,400 miles
The consumer rear ended another vehicle traveling at 35 mph and the air bag did not deploy. Consumer stated the brakes pulsated twice failing to stop the vehicle.

- Benton, MO, USA

problem #1

Apr 162003

(reported on)

Taurus

  • 9,800 miles
When the brakes were applied, the ABS automatically kicked in and caused the vehicle to shake violently.

- Jenisen, MI, USA

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