2003 Ford Taurus Body & structure Problems

ON OCTOBER 23 2019, I RETAINED MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRE TO INSPECT MY NEW YORK STATE REGISTERED 2003 FORD TAURUS. MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRE PASSED THE VEHICLE, DETERMINING THE VEHICLES CONDITION COMPLIED WITH NY STATE SAFETY STANDARD OF ROADWORTHINESS. 12/12/2019, AFTER REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION AT GORILLA AUTO WORKS, I WAS INFORMED OF A SERIOUS STRUCTURAL SITUATION, CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY "SEVERELY DETERIORATED". ON JANUARY 20TH 2020, I AGAIN REFERRED THE VEHICLE TO CASKINETE FORD CARTHAGE NEW YORK FOR FURTHER EVALUATION, AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY STANDARDS, AS WAS INFORMED, THAT THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WAS NOT REPAIRABLE, AT THE PRESENT CONDITION, DID NOT MEET NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS, CONTRARY TO THE ORIGINAL STATUS, AND INSPECTION , ISSUED 10/23/2019 MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRE ARSENAL ST. WATERTOWN NEW YORK. FURTHER EVALUATIONS, STUDY REVEALED, THAT FAILURE OF THIS CONDITION, UNDERWAY, AT US INTERSTATE AVERAGE SPEED OF TRAFFIC, POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT WOULD RESULT, EMINENT RISK OF LOSS OF LIFE. PER US AGENCY STANDARDS, I HAVE MADE ALL REASONABLE EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THIS COMPLAINT WITH RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES, DMV. ETC. ADDITIONAL EFFORTS INCLUDED RELEVANT NEW YORK STATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO INCLUDE NEW YORK STATE SENATE. *PLEASE NOTE THE, POSSIBLY INTENTIONAL OMISSION BY MAVIS STAFF, OF THE VEHICLES MILEAGE. OBTAINED BY OTHER RECORDS.

NHTSA ID

11302236

Incident

Oct 23, 2019

Mileage

74,029 mi

WE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP,AND SLIDE ON DRY PAVEMENT,AND WET CONDITIONS . THE CAR HAD NEW BRAKES, ROTORS, TIRES, BUT STILL WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STOPPING, UNFORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TODAY,AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. I JUST REPLACED THE TIRES AGAIN A FEW MONTHS GO, THINKING THE TIRES WERE THE PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS MYSELF, AND I THINK THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR STOPPING. THANK GOD NOBODY WAS HURT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR, AND SHE WAS ON A CITY STREET, CONDITIONS WERE WET , BUT SHE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP.

NHTSA ID

10819080

Incident

Jan 8, 2016

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CRADLE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID

10712695

Incident

Apr 22, 2015

Mileage

93,000 mi

TODAY A COLD FRONT MOVED IN. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM MY GRANDPARENTS AND IT HAS SPENT ITS WHOLE LIFE IN THE GARAGE.NOW IT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE. MULTIPLE TIMES THIS YEAR THE DOOR LATCHES HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS CAUSES THE DOORS NOT TO SHUT, AND ME HAVING TO HOLD THEM CLOSED AS I DRIVE. THEY EVENTUALLY START WORKING ( USUALLY AFTER 20-30 MINS OF DRIVING). I HAVE TRIED DE-ICER AND GREASE BUT NOTHING WORKS. MY MOMS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS THE SAME ISSUE, EXCEPT IT WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF IT. I FIND IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT I HAVE TO HOLD MY DOORS CLOSED OR THEY FLY OPEN WHEN I DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10670011

Incident

Jan 4, 2015

Mileage

73,000 mi

THE FLOOR BOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE IS WET AND HEATER BLOWER ONLY BLOWS ON SETTING 4. MECHANIC SAID WATER SHORTED OUT BLOWER MOTOR. DID SOME SEARCHING AND FOUND I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING; REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND OTHER COMPLAINT 10184014. THIS WILL SHOW A CONTINUING TREND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653135

Incident

Oct 16, 2014

Mileage

150,069 mi

HAD CAR IN SHOP FOR A/C PROBLEMS. MECHANIC (WHITEHILL AUTO AND BODY) THEY HAD ANOTHER 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH A FRAME (PART OF FRAME) THAT WAS BEING REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUSTING THROUGH. HE SAID THAT OUR FRAME WAS ALSO STARTING TO RUST. HE SAID THEY HAD CONTACTED FORD AND IT WAS NOT LISTED ON ANY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574874

Incident

Mar 24, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi

AN ON COMING CAR LOST CONTROL AND SWERVED INTO MY DAUGHTERS LANE OF TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND T-BONED THE OTHER CAR. UPON IMPACT, THE OTHER CAR WAS SPLIT IN 2. MY DAUGHTERS AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY HER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHEN I CALL THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE "NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER." THANKFULLY EVERYONE WALKED AWAY. MY DAUGHTER HAS A CONCUSSION AND BRUISED RIBS FROM THE ACCIDENT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD CONSIDER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE IS IF I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (OUR INSURANCE TOTALED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE DAMAGE) AND THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568635

Incident

Mar 6, 2014

Mileage

66,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND DOING SOME ROUTINE SERVICE , OIL CHANGE , BRAKE INSPECTION ETC. NOTICED THAT THE REAR BODY MOUNTS ON THE SUBFRAME HAD RUST ROT. AND LOOKING OVER THE REST OF THE SUBFRAME NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE FRONT MOUNT OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES WERE ROTTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE REPAIR WORK IS MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR. I CAN'T EVEN PUT THE CAR ON THE ROAD. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD THE SUBFRAME SHOULDN'T BE ROTTED OUT LIKE THIS.FORD SHOULD GIVE SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555549

Incident

Dec 6, 2013

Mileage

149,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE TIRE CHANGED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, SHE NOTICED THAT THE SUB-FRAME HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID

10552438

Incident

Nov 9, 2013

Mileage

117,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ

NHTSA ID

10545315

Incident

Sep 25, 2013

Mileage

139,000 mi

MY HUSBAND PICKED ME UP FROM SCHOOL AND HE WENT IN THE STORE AND THE CAR WHILE ME AND MY 1 YEAR OLD WERE IN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING LIKE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER PART THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF THE CAR, MY HUSBAND RAN OUT OF STORE STATING CAR WAS ON FIRE HE PULLED CAR WAY FROM GAS STATION, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND GOT MY DAUGHTER OUT, FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF HOOD AND BOTTOM OF CAR HIGH WE CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT EVERYTHING IS ON CAMERA, THAN A POLICE OFFICER CAME OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10537882

Incident

Mar 28, 2013

THE VINYL COVER ON ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS HAVE COME LOOSE, ONE FALLING COMPLETELY OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10533784

Incident

Sep 21, 2012

Mileage

150,000 mi

A WATER LEAK WHICH DUMPED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. FORD WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL BUT WILL FIX IT FOR $550 REPLACING THE BLOWER MOTOR,BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE LEAK THAT THEY SAID WAS COMING FROM A "RAIN CAP" ON THE WINDSHIELD. I LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525594

Incident

Jul 18, 2013

PREMATURE RUSTING OF WHEEL WELLS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525336

Incident

Oct 3, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

WATER LEAKING IN FROM COWL PANEL...CAUSING HEATER MOTOR TO RUST OUT...COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510944

Incident

May 7, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER FLOOR,SHORTED BLOWER MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10438762

Incident

Nov 23, 2011

Mileage

119,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10434765

Incident

Sep 7, 2011

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, WATER WOULD LEAK FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT TO THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE RESISTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID

10432633

Incident

Sep 23, 2011

Mileage

22,000 mi

A WATER LEAK WHICH DUMPED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO RECALL 03V087000 BUT I KNOW IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS COMPLAINT #10184014. *TR

NHTSA ID

10432316

Incident

Oct 21, 2011

A WATER LEAK, POSSIBLY FROM A FAULTY SEAL, ONTO THE PASSENGER INTERIOR FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. MY HEATER SWITCH WILL ONLY WORK IN THE MAXIMUM POSITION. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT IS DUE TO A HEATER MOTOR RESISTOR, WHICH HAS CAUSED SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR OTHER TAURUS OWNERS. I COULD NOT GET FORD TO ACT EVEN THOUGH A RELATED RECALL EXISTED UNDER 03V087000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10430636

Incident

Oct 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT MANEUVER AND CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO DETACH FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

NHTSA ID

10419809

Incident

Aug 17, 2011

Mileage

131,000 mi

WE HAD A SMALL HAIL STORM PEA SIZE HAIL AND CALLED GEICO TO LOOK AT THE ROOF, TRUNK AND HOOD OF THE CAR. THE ROOF HAD LARGE AREA'S OF PAINT MISSING AND BUBBLED WITH LARGE AREA'S OF RUST UNDER IT. THE ADJUSTER TOLD US THIS WAS A DEFECT THAT FORD WAS HAVE WITH CARS AND TRUCKS BETWEEN 2000 - 2006 AND DENIED THE CLAIM. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND BODY SHOPS TELLING ME THIS IS A FORD DEFECT, CALLING FORD AND THEM TELLING ME IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM, LOOKING AT WEB-SITES WITH 100'S OF COMPLAINTS, LEMON LAWS, FACEBOOK PAGES AGAINST FORD, FRUSTRATION BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE LOOSING THEIR CARS DUE TO RUST, AND FORD TELLING US OH WELL EVEN AFTER THE TSA REPORT FORD POSTED STATING THEY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT ADHERING TO THE ALUMINUM TO MAKE THE CAR WEIGH LESS AND A GOOD POSSIBLE FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE PANELS WITH STEAL AND GOOD PRIMER AND PAINTED, THE FORD 800 NUMBER STATED WE ARE SORRY BUT UNLESS WE GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS AND NHTSA SEES ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO DO A RECALL WE WON'T HELP. EVEN THE DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED COMPLAINTS OF PAINT PEELING OFF THE CAR LIKE AN ORANGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384145

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT ON THIS 2003 FORD TAURUS. 91,000 MILES ON CAR. WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10382966

Incident

Feb 15, 2011

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPLACED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE DOING SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID

10382937

Incident

Feb 16, 2011

Mileage

94,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. BECAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE, THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SHE WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD FORMING WHEN THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,346. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10361431

Incident

Jun 15, 2010

Mileage

30,000 mi