Print this page

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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,782 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Ford Taurus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Ford Taurus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #169

Apr 252022

Taurus

  • 151,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when taking the vehicle out of the park(P) after starting the vehicle, which required the brake pedal to be depressed, the contact could not depress the shifter button out of the park. The contact stated that the shift button would not depress. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and turned the vehicle back on but had to pump the brake pedal to shift the vehicle out of the park. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V106000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

problem #168

Nov 012019

Taurus

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while slowing down would not accelerate when pressing the accelerator pedal and while switching gears the vehicle would lunge forward. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer forsom lake Ford(12755 folsom blvd, forsom lake ca.) was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 175,000.

- Palcerville, CA, USA

problem #167

Jun 292018

Taurus

  • 103,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway at posted speeds when my car began to slow with the accelerator still pressed, almost getting rear ended I was able to get to the shoulder of the freeway. I realized the car was running but would not go forward or reverse. I had to call a tow truck. I waited three hours for the tow truck to show up and then had it towed 80 miles to my house. I did some research and found that the torque converter splines would fail with no warning. I also did some test to confirm it was the torque converter. There are so many complaints with the same issue and Ford Motor Company has done nothing to recall and fix the problem. Does it take someone getting killed first? Ford needs to step up and recall to fix this problem before people are killed.

- Farmington, MN, USA

problem #166

Oct 242018

Taurus

  • 87,400 miles

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

Had to replace my torque converter for $1,300 which is ridiculous considering there is only 87,000 miles. There has been thousands of complaints. Ford needs to fix this! wouldn't leave park, had it towed out of my driveway.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #165

Feb 152004

Taurus

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle out of park, the gear shifter failed to shift. On several occasions, the brake lights remained illuminated even after the vehicle was turned off causing the battery to discharge. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, but the contact spoke to an independent mechanic who advised that there was a recall on the likely issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V106000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #164

Dec 232016

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 168,000 miles
Throttle stuck while driving up a hill going into a turn nearly causing an accident. I released the throttle and the engine continued to rev, forcing the use of brakes to gain control. Placed transmission in neutral and engine revved before turning ignition switch to off position. Inspection revealed that the cruise control cable retaining clip broke and prevented the throttle from returning to neutral position.

- Cowan, WV, USA

problem #163

Dec 012016

Taurus

  • 126,000 miles

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

While getting off the freeway on the drive home from work (at 6:40pm on Dec 1st, 2016) the transmission no longer engaged. I had to coast over to a field and park while avoiding on-going traffic. I lost all engagement with the gears (RD21), and it is like being in perpetual neutral. The splines of the torque converter are stripped. Ford made them too small, so they strip. The car has 126,000 miles on it, and is only used to go to and from work. Thousands upon thousands of people have had this exact problem, yet Ford has done nothing to correct the situation.

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #162

Jan 102015

Taurus

  • 1,024,083 miles
The car was driving down the street and stopped. When I pressed to accel the transmission did'nt pull over 15 feet and stopped pulling. It was the torque converter that had gon out. And then I get a letter in the mail about other recalls but not on the transmissions. I worked for Ford for 27 years as an engineer and built transmissions under recalls. I have no idea about these paople! but the 2004 has that recall.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

problem #161

Sep 262016

Taurus

  • 283,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of the park position. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was a result of a stop lamp failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04V106000 (exterior lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 283,000.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #160

Aug 112016

Taurus

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. After the vehicle was started, the gear failed to switch into the drive position without warning. In addition, the brake lamps failed to illuminate. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #159

Jul 262016

Taurus

  • 53,203 miles

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

Dangerous situation transmission complete failure in intersection while turning left. Stopped awaiting on-coming traffic at city street situation could have resulted in a serious accident with on-coming traffic resulting in serious injury! many complaints already filled however after speaking with Ford the refuse to fix

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #158

Jul 072016

Taurus

  • 113,000 miles
While my vehicle was in cruise control at 68 mph on a 3 lane highway, the vehicle without any warning began to quickly loose speed and the ability to keep pace with surrounding traffic. The transmission became unresponsive and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate and function in a safe manner. I quickly and unknowingly dropped below the safe driving speed for the highway and posed a safety risk to myself and of the drivers on the road around me. In the course of rapid deceleration I was almost struck in the rear by a vehicle that was not made aware of my loss of speed, as I did not apply the brakes. As soon as possible and as to not further endanger those around me; I turned on my hazard lights and relied on evasive driving to coast the vehicle to the safety of the shoulder. Once off the highway, motor responded but none of the gears (reverse, overdrive, 1st, or 2nd) would engage. The car had no warning lights, service lights, or check engine signals illuminate on the instrument panel and there are no fluid leaks or outward appearance of any broken components. This sudden malfunction has rendered my vehicle barely functional and not safely maneuverable.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #157

Feb 122016

Taurus

  • 132,400 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly felt as if it were in neutral and would not engage in any gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic stated that the torque converter may have failed. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who diagnosed and confirmed that the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was 132,400.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #156

Sep 112015

Taurus

  • 49,334 miles
Transmission torque converter - stripped splines. Just 49,334 miles. This car has very low mileage and is in immaculate condition. Definitely a proven bad part that Ford should cover. The car quit moving at my workplace parking lot. Im grateful it wasn't in an intersection. Had to replace converter.

- Grant, MI, USA

problem #155

Oct 272015

Taurus

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving 35 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as it increased in engine rpms. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.

- Walkerton, IN, USA

problem #154

Oct 262015

Taurus

  • 145,000 miles
The transmission will not shift into any gear

- Hugo, OK, USA

problem #153

Jan 102009

Taurus

  • 167,777 miles
I have an issues.

- Matthews, NC, USA

problem #152

Sep 092011

Taurus

  • 45,000 miles
While driving on a very busy road, my transmission quit. I had nothing but neutral. There were no warning signs that it was going to fail, it went from working perfectly to having no gears (forward or reverse). Luckily I was able to coast to a safe spot to park and wait for a tow. The transmission had to be replaced, it was not repairable. The car had approximately 45,000 miles on it.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #151

Oct 052015

Taurus

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to start after several attempts, but failed to shift out of park. In addition, the tail lights failed to function. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #150

Sep 072015

Taurus

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving at approximately 35 mph and attempting to merge into traffic, the engine revved without warning and the vehicle failed to resume acceleration. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?