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...
Replaced the passenger side lower ball joint last summer, went to get car lined up, said same ball joint was bad. So, went to parts store, got part..and that's when it got dumb. On these, you have to take the knuckle OFF the car, and press the old ball joint in and out. This is a very dumb set up FORD!!!!!!!! Then, tired to break the bond from the knuckle to the ball joint stud, it did NOT break loose....so, saws all came out. Had to rent a ball joint press from the store (thinking about maybe buying one to save myself the hassle of going and renting one every time) Not to mention all amount of force it takes to get everything lined back up when your done. Went to Harbor Freight and bought a 3 FT pry bar for extra leverage, and l needed it. Had to have a friend come help me. But, its on, life goes on...just wish the people who make the parts, would put grease fittings in these so it wouldn't go out as often.
The front ball joints need to be replace along with the Struts! After purchasing this car a LOT of people said they have front end problems! When is this going to get addressed? My steering wheel is SSSOOOOO crooked it hurts my hands when I have to drive a long distance. I can't get a wheel alignment because it would do no good needing struts and ball joints. I have already replace the control arm and that was $350!
Pick it up Ford we need our vehicles in better shape
This is the first and the last Ford I buy!
- Nicole S.,
Walled Lake, MI, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Replaced the passenger side lower ball joint last summer, went to get car lined up, said same ball joint was bad. So, went to parts store, got part..and that's when it got dumb. On these, you have to take the knuckle OFF the car, and press the old ball joint in and out. This is a very dumb set up FORD!!!!!!!! Then, tired to break the bond from the knuckle to the ball joint stud, it did NOT break loose....so, saws all came out. Had to rent a ball joint press from the store (thinking about maybe buying one to save myself the hassle of going and renting one every time) Not to mention all amount of force it takes to get everything lined back up when your done. Went to Harbor Freight and bought a 3 FT pry bar for extra leverage, and l needed it. Had to have a friend come help me. But, its on, life goes on...just wish the people who make the parts, would put grease fittings in these so it wouldn't go out as often.
- Rick M., Glen Dale, US