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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,574 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.
The interior gauge lights have gone out. Some remain on but it is very hard to see the speed, gasoline level, etc. Due to the blown lights. This presents a hazard when driving as you cannot see the instrument cluster.
Ford Taurus 2003 ses, engine 3.0L car was purchased on May 28, 2011. Left side electrical along with components of the turn signal snap back when attempting to use this safety feature made for vehicles. On 06/15/2011 the front right brakes of the vehicle went out and required the vehicle to be towed to a local repair shop. During the drive home which was from a distance of about 20 miles I experienced uncontrollable steering and almost lost control of the vehicle. The replaced brake caliper bolt came loose and was lost along the highway. On 07/19/2011 after the vehicle was towed back to the repair shop the A/C compressor had failed again along with the transmission as the transmission was slipping roughly during normal driving conditions. The vehicle was towed and was blowing hot, brakes grinding, transmission flare shifting 2-3 shift. Repair shop stated slipping at 30mph and stated rebuilt transmission. During a week period around 07/22/2011 the brakes were grinding again and the lower ball joints were installed. Transmission slipping around 30mph and ac was still blowing hot. Transmission was rebuilt during this time frame due to flare shift 2-3 shift. Vehicle was towed back to the shop each time. 08/17/2011 check engine light on, transmission does not shift, grinding noise when accelerate and brake, A/C blows hot. On 08/31/2011 the transmission would not shift, stated need to replace all electronics in transmission, one or more solenoids are defect. 09/12/2011 odometer 112377 out O. on 09/20/2012 mil 140,768. Balanced 55 series and above rear right wheels balanced parts for flat with plug. Vehicle was inspected for power steering fluid and it was normal. The vehicle jumps when put in reverse and into gear and seems to want to stay on cruise control. I will post further comments to my complaint as there is not enough space for facts.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle the brake and the exterior light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 83,118.
Power windows will not roll up or down, mirrors do not work, inside lights are out. Ford replaced GEM module a couple of years before for the same problem costing me money at that time. When the windows would not roll up or down, Ford would replace fuse and in a few minutes the fuse would blow, again and again they did this and now they are not interested in fixing the problems since the vehicle is older and not under warranty and they claim fixing it would cost more than the vehicle is worth. I have a very good vehicle and would like to use the windows and mirrors and especially the lights inside and I feel this is definitely a safety hazard to me since I travel alone a lot each year. I have contacted Ford and they repeatly state that they do not have any recalls and are not aware of such problems. I even sent them websites from people who are having these problems with the windows. All you have to do is goggle: Taurus window problems and there are numerous owners with this problem. Hope you can help with this matter as Ford is not listening to us.....
2003 Ford Taurus. Consumer writes in regards to a road hazard concerning plastic lens the consumer stated the plastic headlight lenses turn yellow, not allowing light to be radiated through them.
- Bristol, VA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus ses. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle would no longer accelerate. After trying to restart it to no avail, it was undrivable and had to be towed. The vehicle has not been inspected nor repaired. The dealer was contacted and they advised him that the trans axle had possibly failed and needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileages were approximately 113,000. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer also stated head light lenses turned yellow, not allowing much light to radiate out of them and it was very difficult to drive at night. Updated 09/14/11. Updated 01/30/12.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the exterior lights and the instrument panel lights failed simutaneously. The light would remain off for approximatley five to ten seconds before re-illuminating. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted to report the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the plastic headlight was turning yellow abnormally and causing the lights to illuminate extremely faint. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he would have to utilize the high beam lights for adequate illumination of the roadway at night. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage is 110,000 updated 3/14/11 updated 04/28/11
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. After the vehicle was turned off, the contact noticed that the brake lights remained illuminated, which caused the battery to discharge. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V106000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch); therefore, the contact would be liable for the repair costs. She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 116,349. Update 09/10/08 updated 09/15/08
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Temperance, MI, USA