2003 Ford Taurus Engine Problems

At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal. While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, I take my foot off of the accelerator and the vehicle maintains the 45 mph speed or increases speed if I am driving down a hill or any downward gradient regardless of the angle of decent. When I try to stop the vehicle using the foot brake it continues to maintain speed and if I put the shift lever in neutral, while trying to stop, the RPM's increase from approximately 1500 rpm's to 3200 rpm's until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and then, only after approximately five seconds do the RPM's begin to drop to 1000 rpm's. If I am driving the vehicle with cruise control and cancel the cruise control, the vehicle maintains the cruise control speed indefinitely, literally for miles thereafter. I wanted to give this vehicle to my daughter who has multiple sclerosis but it's too dangerous for her to drive with this acceleration problem. Do you have any recommendations for me???

NHTSA ID

11475206

Incident

Jul 21, 2022

I PURCHASED THE CAR 11/17/2018 FROM EARLS CREDIT AUTO SALES IN PORTSMOUTH ON AIRLINE BLVD ; IT RODE WELL UNTIL 11/30/2018 WHEN I DROVE TO THE BARBERSHOP IN THE GREENBRIER AREA OF CHESAPEAKE VA. I WENT TO PULL OUT THE PARKING LOT AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE REAL HEAVY AND SLOPPY SO I PARKED IT AND TURNT IT OFF , WHEN I TRIED TO START IT UP IT WOULD NOT START IT KEPT STALLING I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS AUTO SHOP THEY TOOK THE CAR AND HELD IT AND CLAIM THEY WERE WORKING ON IT , I PICKED THE CAR UP WHEN IT WAS READY 12/04/2018. IT RODE FINE UNTIL 12/14/2018 I WENT TO THE BARBERSHOP AGAIN AND AS I WAS LEAVING BACKING OUT MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE HEAVILY AGAIN THAN BEFORE I COULD PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO PULL BACK IN TO THE PARKING SPOT THE CAR JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT WHILE A CAR WAS TO THE LEFT OF ME TRYING TO PULL OUT . I HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR IN THE SPOT AND HURRY AND RUSH TO PUSH ON THE BREAK AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WHEN I GOT A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIPS AUTO SHOP I EXPLAINED THIS IS MY SECOND TIME HERE UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES , I ALSO CALLED THE DEALERSHIP PLEADING TO GIVE THE CAR BACK AND TO BE REFUNDED I BARLEY GOT TO ENJOY OR USE THE BEGUILE WITHOUT IT BEING A PROBLEM . I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T ALLOW REFUNDS AND THERE AUTO SHOP WILL FIX THE CAR , SO WHEN THEY SAID THE CAR WAS READY ON 12/15/2018 IT DROVE WELL BUT IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I WENT TO AUTO ZONE FOR A FREE TEST AND I GOT A PO430 CODE , I CALLED THE AUTO SHOP BEFORE THEY CLOSED BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME ON THE 14TH ALL WHAT WAS WRONG WAS A FUEL PUMP AND THEY REPLACED IT BUT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CATALYST SYSTEM I BEEN SMELLING A BURING SMELL COMING THROUGH MY VENTS FOR A WHILE BUT NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS . THE REP ON THE PHONE TOLD ME IT WAS FINE FOR ME TO STILL DRIVE THE CAR AND I ALSO I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR WORKED ON TILL 12/26/2018 . I NEED HELP!

NHTSA ID

11163016

Incident

Nov 17, 2018

Mileage

123,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE BECAME STUCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER PLACED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ASSISTED THE DRIVER WITH RELEASING THE STUCK CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT CALLED AVIS FORD INC AT 248-355-7500 (29200 TELEGRAPH RD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48034) AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT BE DONE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11080126

Incident

Mar 18, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE AND THE CAR IS STILL IN MOTION, THE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE ENGINE STALL'S OUT.

NHTSA ID

11001947

Incident

Apr 15, 2016

Mileage

95,423 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED WITH FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT A COMPLETE STOP. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENSURE THAT, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT DID NOT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10894605

Incident

Feb 10, 2016

MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE FIREMEN SAID IT WAS A ELECTRIC FIRE. MY CAR WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING AT 8:30 P.M. AND THAT BETWEEN 3 AND 4 A.M. A CAR THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I WAS NOT EVEN DRIVING IT WAS JUST SITTING THERE PARK.

NHTSA ID

10893337

Incident

Aug 3, 2016

Mileage

168,357 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10884083

Incident

Jul 7, 2016

Mileage

36,000 mi

CAR ACCELERATES AND/OR MAINTAINS HIGH RPMS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS TIMES.

NHTSA ID

10864449

Incident

May 11, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

I HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE ISSUES ON THIS CAR I WANT REFUND MONEY FOR THIS WAS $1,900 REFUND BACK TO ME...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF *JS

NHTSA ID

10786130

Incident

Jan 10, 2010

Mileage

167 mi

I HAVE AN ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

10786123

Incident

Jan 10, 2009

Mileage

167,777 mi

VEHICLE STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. STRANGE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

10760757

Incident

Aug 24, 2015

Mileage

37,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER IGNITING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/14/15*LJ UPDATED 7/20/15*CN UPDATED 7/29/15*CN UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10683088

Incident

Feb 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID CONTAINER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10650397

Incident

Oct 25, 2014

WHEN ACCELERATING TO GO UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE "SURGED" AND LOST ALL GEARS. I LET MY VEHICLE COAST TO A STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO AND OUT OF PARK, BUT WHEN PLACED IN ANY GEAR IS MOTIONLESS....WILL NOT MOVE IN REVERSE, OR DRIVE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT! *TR

NHTSA ID

10545626

Incident

Sep 27, 2013

Mileage

52,300 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

WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THROTTLE BECAME STUCK OPEN. ENGINE REVVED HIGH. I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. ENGINE WAS REVVING AT 4000 RPM'S. OPEN ENGINE HOOD AND NOTICED THE THROTTLE CABLE MOUNT/HARNESS HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND CAME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I THEN DROVE HOME AND TRIED TO CALL A SERVICE STATION, BUT IT WAS AFTER 5PM ON SATURDAY AND COULD NOT FIND AN OPEN SERVICE STATION. WILL CALL FORD ON MONDAY MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522422

Incident

Jun 29, 2013

Mileage

130,600 mi

NUMEROUS PROBLEMS!!!CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.HAS HAPPENED 3 SEPARATE TIMES. HAVE HAD CAR TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. CAR WON'T START AFTER BEING RUN FOR AFEW MILES;WILL START AGAIN AFTER COOL. MOTHER HAS CANCER AND NEED THIS VEHICLE TO GET HER TO HER CHEMOTHERAPY AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS. MOTHER ALSO USES A WALKER AND AFTER GETTING CHEMO TREATMENTS WHICH PHYSICALLY WEAR HER OUT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, FRUSTRATING, AND HIGHLY INCONVENIENT TO GET HER INTO A TOW TRUCK!!!!! HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND STILL NOTHING. APPARENTLY SOMEONE(PERHAPS YOUR DEPARTMENT)NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS VERY PREVALENT ISSUE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10512321

Incident

Mar 13, 2013

Mileage

82,000 mi

WENT TO MY MOTHERS FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER. ON THE WAY HOME GOING 55 MILE AN HOUR THE CAR STARED EXCELLING IN SPEED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND KNEW TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. HE HAD TO CONSTANTLY STAY ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN. WE GOT THE CAR HOME, I LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW THE COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE. MY HUSBAND THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FOR DEALERSHIP. HE TOOK A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT WITH HIM. FORD SERVICE DEPT. SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT ARTICLE AND WANTED $80 TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. THE CAR IS NOT FIXED, WE PLAN ON TRYING TO GET IT FIXED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT IS DOING, THAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10491733

Incident

Nov 18, 2012

Mileage

92,900 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN STATE ROAD 9 AN AS I STARTED AROUND A CURVE MY RPM SHOT UP AN MPH GAUGE WENT DOWN ENVIED REVVED UP. I HAD NO DRIVE NO NEUTRAL NO REVERSE NO NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10483582

Incident

Oct 4, 2012

Mileage

203,000 mi

ENTERED HIGHWAY ON-RAMP. AS I MERGED ONTO HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, I NOTICE THAT THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING FASTER THAN USUAL FOR THE AMOUNT OF THROTTLE I WAS USING. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE THROTTLE COMPLETELY AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLOWLY BUT STEADILY ACCELERATE. WITHOUT PLACING MY FOOT ON THE THROTTLE, I CONTINUED DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO THE NEXT EXIT. AS I APPROACHED THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE EXIT, I BEGAN BRAKING. FEELING THE ENGINE FIGHT THE BRAKES, I MOVED THE SHIFT LEVEL INTO NEUTRAL AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXIT. AS SOON AS I PLACED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE RPM SHOT UP AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING DEPRESSED. REPEATEDLY PRESSING AND UN-PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT NOTHING, NOR WAS THE PEDAL STUCK ON THE FLOOR MAT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND PLACE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK. STARTING THE CAR AGAIN RESULTED IN THE SAME BEHAVIOR: ENGINE RPM SHOT UP EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD. I IDENTIFIED THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOTICE THAT A PLASTIC CLIP HAD BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE POINT WHERE THE THROTTLE CABLE ENTERS THE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF REINSERTING AND WIGGLING THE CLIP, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO STAY IN ITS PROPER PLACE, AND THEREAFTER, THE THROTTLE BEHAVED NORMALLY. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FOLLOWING PART: YFIZ*9A825*CA ACTUATOR ASY. I HAVE THIS INVOICE AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED IT. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482564

Incident

Sep 19, 2012

Mileage

157,673 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10470157

Incident

Aug 4, 2010

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS TODAY. VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IDLING, PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ENGINE SUDDENLY INCREASED SPEED AND VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ENGINE WOULD PERIODICALLY INCREASE SPEED AND VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, NOTABLY AT SPEEDS 20-40 MPH, VEHICLE SPEED WOULD START INCREASING ON IT'S OWN. ON THOSE OCCASIONS, THE INCREASE WAS NOT RAPID OR EXTREME, THESE WERE THOUGHT TO BE FLUKES, BUT NOW IT'S LURCHING AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE INCREASING AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10469621

Incident

Aug 8, 2012

Mileage

88,000 mi

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE OUT OF NO WHERE. MULTIPLE OTHER PHANTOM ENGINE FAILURES/ENGINE INEXPLICABLY DIES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10465746

Incident

Oct 10, 2011

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PUSHED TO THEIR RESIDENCE BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ID

10461863

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

32,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET WHEN THE CAR QUIT MOVING FORWARD. I COASTED TO A STOP AND TRIED REVERSE, AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN THAT DIRECTION EITHER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAD A BABY IN THE CAR AND A TRUNK FULL OF GROCERIES. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS. THEY WERE FULL. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CLEAR. THE MAINTENANCE BOOK SAID NOT TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID UNTIL 100,000. MY CAR HAS ONLY 73,000 MILES. THIS CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. I PAID TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIX IT. I THEN HAD TO PAY TO TOW IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEM OF A 2003 FORD TAURUS. IF THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN BY FORD'S AND THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE IT AND NOT FIX OUR CARS, I HOPE YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE FORD'S FIX IT WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PAY A HUGE BILL WHICH IS HARD ON A LIMITED INCOME. I SAW THIS ADDRESS ON A FACEBOOK PAGE. THE ADDRESS IS: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/FIGHT-FOR-RECALL-OF-2003-FORD-TAURUS-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS/156915101017448. PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS PAGE. YOU WILL SEE THE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS HAPPEN. I JUST STUMBLED UPON THE PAGE BY ACCIDENT. I WONDER HOW MANY MORE THERE ARE OUT THERE NOT KNOWING THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF US DRIVING FORD'S DEFECTIVE CARS. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE. THEY DID NOT HESITATE TO TAKE CAR PAYMENTS FOR YEARS. THEY SHOULD NOT HESITATE TO FIX A CAR THAT THEY BUILT. I WAS FROM DETROIT AND ALWAYS BELIEVED IN BUYING AMERICAN, BUT MY OPINION HAS CHANGED. THAT IS A SHAME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HOPE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456074

Incident

Apr 19, 2012

Mileage

73,000 mi