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:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,779 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.
My 2003 Ford Taurus SE has been cutting out while I am driving. All power goes out and the lights flash on the dash like a christmas tree. This problem has been occurring for about 9 months now and I have had it to the dealership 3 times only to have them tell me that there is nothing wrong with the car. Everything locks up on the car, including the steering column and the brakes, and I am unable to do anything. After 3-8 seconds it will start itself back up again and I regain full control of the car. I have no idea why, but when I was trying to figure it out, I came across this website of people who have experienced the same thing and gotten no answers: www.Ford-forums.com/Ford-Taurus/10048-Taurus-shuts-off-starts-itself-while-driving.html if you can help me, please do! it's just not safe for my 1-year-old and I to be driving around unsure of when the car will do this again!! it's a horrible accident waiting to happen!
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving 65 mph in rainy conditions, there was excessive condensation on the windows. The air conditioner was activated, but then suddenly failed without warning. The windshield was unable to defrost, which resulted in reduced visibility. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and cleared off the windows. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the blower motor possibly failed due to water leakage as rust was present. The vehicle was repaired. The failure was mileage 127,600 and current mileage was 127,800. Updated 08/21/09. Updated 08/26/09.
2003 Ford Taurus wagon. There are serious safety issues that need to be addressed by a recall: Water leaking through the cabin air filter area into cabin compartment and seizing and overheating heating resistor and heater blower motor. My Ford dealer told me there were no recalls for these problems on my car which is no longer under warranty the water leaking through the cabin air filter area into the cabin compartment in many 2001-3 Taurus's have caused their heater blower motors to bind or seize which also burns out the blower resistor. It also eventually causes mold to form in the heater area and under the dampened carpeting. After noting a burning smell several times in my car's cabin after starting my heater fan, my heater defroster blower at first would not work- only to work a bit later-until it finally ceased to work completely. On at least 3 occasions when this happened my vision while driving was severely impeded due to the windshield fogging or icing up, as the dead blower could not defrost it. When I pulled the heater motor and resistor out (still wired) I discovered the cause of the burning smell. When I turned the ignition and fan switch on, the motor seized which caused the resistor to overheat to the point that literally flames were shooting out of the resistor! luckily I shut the fan off completely when I smelled the burning resistor but it is fortunate the car did not catch on fire. Ford is well are of this problem and has issued a technical service bulletin # 04-15-3 to resolve it. The heater blower motor and resistor must be replaced along with the passenger side windshield cowl (which apparently warps from the sun and heat) and an additional piece of rubber molding installed on the rain hat over the cabin air filter. Additionally an area near the over the cabin air filter must be silicone caulked and some foam insulation removed for proper drainage. I repeat the above are serious safety issues that need to be addressed by a recall.
About 3 months ago, my windshield wipers began turning themselves on and off for various lengths of time, while switched off. Now they run almost non stop. Dealer suggests multifunction switch (I changed it -didn't work), or a GEM module. A search at Taurus car club sites shows this to be a common problem. Consumer reports identifies overall electrical problems in all Taurus' to be a common issue.
I currently own a 2003 Ford Taurus sedan. Twice in the last 2 or 3 years I noticed water on the carpet on the front passenger side of the vehicle. Well, over the last few weeks the blower motor started acting abnormally. Finally, on February 23, 2009, I had to take the car to a local dealer to have the blower motor, a resistor bank, a piece of cowl top plastic and some weatherproof gasket replaced. I learned just prior to taking the vehicle in that there was a "tsb" about this same problem for a range of vehicles built between 2001 and 2003. The cost of these repairs was $237 in labor and approximately $200 in parts. I am annoyed and irritated that Ford Motor Company still can't learn how to make cars, test them as long as they do, build them and then I experience this particular problem that they already knew about, six years after purchasing the vehicle brand new. It was also a potential safety hazard that the blower failed during extremely cold weather operations. I had to park the vehicle at home because there was no heat or any way to defrost the inside of the windshield.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
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2003 Ford Taurus SE with 33,000 miles. Blower fan quit working on low speeds spring of 2008. Repaired July 7, 2008 by replacing blower motor resistor. This worked for less than a month before failing again. Determined that banging on dash would allow blower to work. After first freeze of the 2008 winter season the blower quit and has not worked since. The car is unsafe to drive: The windows have ice on the inside severely limiting visibility, the temperature inside the car is near ambient - which is currently below freezing.
I discovered earlier year that water was leaking into the floorboard of my car's passenger side front seat. I never noticed it before, since I am always the driver, and rarely have passengers. In researching the problem, I found that it was a design error, and I have tried to plug the holes where water is coming in. I still have periodic leaks. As a result of the water leak, my blower has now shorted out. This is design error and Ford should have to rectify it. This is an ongoing complaint with Ford, please see other complaints attached to recall number 03V087000 and complaint 10184014. Please help!!
I own a 2003 Ford Taurus which experienced a heater motor and heater switch failure last year. I replace the components myself for around $250. This year I have been experiencing water in the passenger side floor after heavy rains and have not been able to determine the cause or location of the water entering the vehicle. This week with the torrential rains we have been experiencing, water was found coming out of my heater motor and heater and draining onto the passenger side foot well carpet while using my heater and defroster. Once I got home I removed the heater motor from the air duct and approximately 8 oz. Of water poured out on the floor. I surmised the water of this great volume was coming in through the windshield. I search the internet to see if there were other occurrences of this situation and on you web site I found there was a compliance recall on this issue on March 3, 2003 on vehicles built between October 29, 2001 and April 27, 2002 regarding windshield retention requirements. I am filling this complaint on November 17, 2008 in hope other owners will be notified of this defect(s). This poses a considerable financial undertaking by the consumer should the water infiltrate the electrical harness in the suspect vehicles and cause consider electrical component damage within said vehicles. To date I have not received any notification from Ford regarding my 2003 Ford Taurus SE with a manufacture date of 12/02 VIN.#. I feel the NHTSA should institute an national recall on said vehicles since we are talking about a major fleet model driven vehicle as well one the highest volume model cars driven in Ford history my the consumer in general. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. I look forward to your need response on this damaging situation that most consumers have no knowledge of. Sincerely, J. christopher veach.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there should be a splash shield over the cabin filter, located above the heater and near the blower fan. When it rains, water enters and shorts out the resistor or fan. As a result, power is lost. The dealer stated that there was no recall, only service bulletin number 31506. The contact has to purchase a splash shield, which prevents water from seeping down into the blower fan. He stated that this was the third resistor that has been installed since June of 2008 because they continue to short out. The failure mileage was 92,000. Updated 11-25-08 updated 11/26/08.
My 2003 Ford Taurus blower motor started to work only part of the time and then eventually stopped completely. I have read many other having this same problem. I live in northern mn where we temperatures at the end of Jan beginning of Feb of - 40 below and highs of - 5 below. The blower is extremely important. Others that have the same problem are being told that water is getting into the blower and destroying them time after time.
Dash lights won't work except for hazard lights which stay on at all times when light switch activated. All other interior and exterior lights work. Started during cold months but would resolve when car warmed up. Now the lights are totally out. This is a safety hazard since I cannot see the gauges as I am driving to and from work in the dark. It seems to be a crossed wire or circuit board malfunction. Tried to explain problem to local dealership, had appointment and then they wanted it to sit there for 3 days while technician who started the work was off!! it will be going to a new dealership on Monday!
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving 55 mph, the anti-theft warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost all power and shut off. The dealer replaced a sensor at the cost of $400, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times and they replaced the sensor again. The automatic control and powertrain control modules were replaced and a new computer was installed; however, the failure continued. During the final time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, they stated that an engineer would be flown in to determine the cause of the failure. The engineer concluded that the vehicle was losing 2.4 volts while driving, which caused it to shut off. Bypass wires were installed on the vehicle in an attempt to get it to operate correctly. The vehicle was in the shop for over 30 days and is currently awaiting repairs. The failure mileage was 65,000 and failure mileage was 66,693. Updated 09/25/08 updated 09/26/08.
Water leaks into the passenger side front floor board. Water also accumulates in the blower motor housing, causing it and the control resistor to short out.
Poor vehicle design allowed water to leak into HVAC system causing damage to blower resistor and blower motor. Now unable to defrost / defog front windshield.
The 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 switching from park to drive, the engine would rev again. In addition, when in park, the vehicle would shut off by itself and have to be placed into neutral in order to be restarted. An independent mechanic could not locate the cause of the failure. A diagnostic was also performed, but it did not produce a failure code. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 81,000.
When driving my 2003 Ford Taurus wagon it stalls for only a few seconds but comes back on by itself. This doesn't happen all the time but you never know when it will. At traffic light & all dashboard lights came on &car did stall & I had to restart car. Driving at 65mph on highway all lights on dashboard will come on & car stalls but restarts on its own which is scary. Warranty already expired.
2003 Ford Taurus. Severe stalling problems. Also, before each stalling incident the dashboard lights will flash on and off, and the speedometer and tachometer will fluctuate. These problems occur when the auto is at driving speed or at idle. The most severe incident occurred when I was driving at approximately 50 mph. The dashboard lights flashed and the engine died. I have taken the auto to the Ford dealership in norman, ok. They have not been able to diagnose the problem.
Vehicle hesitates or stalls out while in motion. All the dash lights come and then there is a sudden loss of electric power. Have two of the same vehicle and have the problem with both. Ford has tried to correct this but all attempts have failed. Both cars are still under warranty and have about 54000 miles. The cars have been driven with recorders and computer but no codes come up. Lately, they have been hesitating/stalling at least a couple of times a week. Sometimes they stall while driving and sometimes while at a light. The worst is when the lights all come on and they hesitate while moving at 65 mph with an eight wheeler or SUV right behind. My wife, two daughters, & I have all experienced this situation and it's very frightening.
Same as complaint no. 10194207 but with a second vehicle. It hesitates or stalls with no notice other than all the dash lights coming on for a few seconds. Then, there is a loss of power. Happens when car is in motion and at intersections. Car can be going 60 mph or can be at a stoplight. Has been on flight recorder and computer, but no codes. Different fixes have been tried by Ford, but so far nothing has worked for very long. Had both cars in shop again this month for the problem. No one is able to identify the specific problem, so the trial and error method has been for the most recent stays in the shop. Left one of the vehicles at Ford for about a week earlier this month. The other was in on and off 2 or 3 times this month. The hesitation and stalling and repeated repair attempts have been going on for awhile because we were told the problem was fixed or could be fixed, but now it is very unlikely with two cars having the same problem and yet to be fixed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Champlin, MN, USA