2003 Ford Taurus Other / unspecified Problems

SON WAS BACKING CAR DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A NOISE AND FELT FRONT END SAG. HE GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. TIRE WAS A YEAR OLD AND CUT ON INSIDE OF SIDEWALL. TOOK TIRE OFF AND HAD IT REPLACED AT MY COST. WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT BACK ON THE CAR I NOTICED THE BROKEN SPRING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW. VERY SHARP EDGE ON SPRING FACING TIRE. GLAD IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TIGHT AREA SO AS TO AVOID INJURY OR ACCIDENT. VERY INCONVENIENT AND AN OBVIOUS METAL FATIGUE ISSUE. RUST NOT NOTICEABLE. BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER AND I WISH THEY HAD CORRECTED THIS ONGOING PROBLEM BEFORE SELLING THE CAR AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT OTHER MANUFACTURERS AS THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR EXPENSE ON A FORD FOR PROBLEMS THEY KNEW ABOUT BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT OR TO HELP COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR EXPENSE OR INCONVENIENCE.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557125

Incident

Dec 21, 2013

CALIPERS FRONT RIGHT F REB CALIPER REMOVE AND INSPECT AND OVERHAUL CALIPER FRONT ONE SIDE. BRAKES WERE GRINDING AGAIN WHICH REQUIRED THAT INSPECTION WHICH I FIND OUT THAT THE SAME AREA IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACED. RECOMD, TIE ROD INNER REMOVE AND REPLACE TIE ROD END ONE SIDE INNER, BALL JOINTS LOWER FRONT LEFT REMOVE AND REPLACE F BALL JOINT ONE SIDE, 2 BRAKE HOSES FRONT. BRAKE ROTORS FRONT BOTH NEEDED REPLACED. SUGGESTED TIRES DUE TO MILEAGE ALSO RUBBER VALVE STEM. SYSTEM FAILURE- REQUIRED. RECD, BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE WITH ABS, AND BLEED BRAKES. CERAMIC DISC BRAKE PADS PD598 BOTH FRONT. 03/02/2013 MIL 151213. 3RD REPAIR SHOP, REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH WARRANTY BRAKES AND PADS ALONG WITH DISCS NEEDED REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. TRANSMISSION FLUSH DUE TO LEAKING FLUID. QT DEX 3 PROLINE. BRAKE DRUMS AND SHOES REPLACED. REPLACED BRAKE FLUID, TIE ROD END ONE SIDE INNER ALONG WITH REPLACE OF THE SHAFT SEAL REMOVE AND INSTALL F AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY ONE SIDE. TRAN'S SEAL CR. CV AXLE REPLACEMENT. BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH WHEEL CYLINDER REAR BOTH, BRAKE SERVICE WITH REAR BRAKE DRUM. ENGINE LIGHT OFF/ RUNS POOR DIAGNOSTIC, REPLACEMENT OF PCV VALVE ASSEMBLY, REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REMOVE AND REPLACED PCV VALVE ALONG WITH TUNE UP PACKAGE. RELEARN ENGINE IDLE, REAR BRAKES BASIC PC PKG, DORMAN REAR RIGHT WHEEL AND LEFT CYLINDERS. DURING THESE 3-4 REPAIR SHOPS CANNOT FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL TO GET THE CAR TO STOP DRIVING IT SELF WHEN ABOVE 30MPH ALONG WITH ACCELERATION, BACK TAIL LIGHT RIGHT SIDE SHORTS OUT CONTINUALLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND VERY UNSAFE TO CONTROL A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD MORE THAN THREE OR FOUR REPAIR SHOPS TRY THEIR HARDEST TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY HAS SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS. I AM WITH THE BELIEF THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALONG THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITHIN THE 2003 FORD TAURUS SES DOHC IS UNSAFE FOR STREET USE IN THE U.S. DUE TO OUR STANDARDS HERE OF MOTOR SAFETY. WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS LOUD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524635

Incident

Sep 29, 2012

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL BROKE. WHEN IT BROKE, IT RUINED MY TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10497778

Incident

Feb 11, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY SON PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10493651

Incident

Jan 16, 2013

Mileage

112,500 mi

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING BROKE & PUNCTURED TIRE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE BOYS (9,5 & 6MONTHS) AND HAD DROVE HOME ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WITH ALL MY BOYS IN THE CAR. I PARKED MY CAR AT HOME & WENT OUT LATER TO RETRIEVE SOME PAPERWORK FROM MY VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND OUT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT & HOPEFULLY JUST HAVING THE TIRE REPAIRED, THAT IS WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED & PUNCTURED THE TIRE. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE I WAS IN SHOCK, BUT WAS THANKFUL THAT IT HAD NOT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH SHREDDING MY TIRE & POSSIBLY CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND HAS STILL HAD NO RECALL ! IS IT A MATTER OF A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DEATHS TO OCCUR BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ? IT IS A BLESSING THAT THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED YET & YOU WOULD THINK THAT FORD WOULD WANT TO KEEP IN MIND THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR CARS, BY HAVING A RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE SPRINGS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS & I FEEL THAT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR FORD TO PLAY WITH THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR VEHICLES. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS IS A GREAT FINANCIAL SET BACK FOR ME & MY 3 CHILDREN & WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE EVER BUYING A FORD VEHICLE AGAIN KNOWING THAT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN UNFORGIVABLE. YOU CAN REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART, BUT YOU CANNOT REPLACE A LIFE......! *TR

NHTSA ID

10490659

Incident

Dec 30, 2012

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING IN THE STRUT BROKE AND SLASHED THE ADJACENT TIRE. THIS WAS NOTICED WHEN THE CAR WAS BEGINNING TO BE BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH STRUT ASSEMBLIES FOR SAFETY SAKE, REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE AS WELL. WE OPTED TO REPLACE THE OTHER THREE TIRES DUE TO WEAR. ALSO, THE GARAGE RECOMMENDED WE REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS AND LH SIDE TIE ROD END. THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED AS WELL. TOTAL COST $1871. I AM OUTRAGED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1999 THRU 2001 TAURUS CARS BUT NOTHING COVERING UP TO AND INCLUDING 2003'S. I ALSO THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THE CUTOFF TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN A CAR EXCEEDS 100000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND ALL FORD TAURUS CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED. MY DAUGHTER WAS LUCKY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT WHEN GOING 65MPH! SEVERE INJURY AND DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULT AND OTHER PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED! I IMPLORE NHTSA TO FORCE FORD TO ENGAGE IN A RETROACTIVE RECALL FOR ALL AFFECTED TAURUS CARS. IT IS INEXCUSABLE TO HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. I CAN UNDERSTAND A BROKEN SPRING CAN OCCUR, BUT THE COMPLAINTS CLEARLY SHOW THAT THE SPRING THEN SLASHES THE TIRE, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE BLOWOUT AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10371611

Incident

Dec 16, 2010

Mileage

133,038 mi

THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE NEXT TO IT, CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE.

NHTSA ID

10371576

Incident

Dec 9, 2010

Mileage

130,000 mi

HEAT/AC FAN BLOWS ONLY ON HIGH. REPLACED COWL PANEL AND INSTALLED RAIN HAT AND BLOWER RESISTOR 11/08; BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FOUND DEFECTIVE 7/10 AND REPLACED. HEAT/AC FAN BLOWS ONLY ON HIGH TODAY 12/10. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368475

Incident

Nov 20, 2008

Mileage

75,000 mi

IN MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SEL (24V DOHC 3.0L) I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT ASSEMBLY. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. I STILL HAVE THE OLD SPRING (IT HAS BEEN CUT INTO SEVERAL PIECES TO FACILITATE REMOVING IT FROM THE VEHICLE). IN ADDITION TO THE COIL SPRING DESTROYED WAS A GOODYEAR EAGLE GT P215/60R16 95V. THIS TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACE BY MY TIRE DEALER AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10279943

Incident

Aug 8, 2009

Mileage

93,700 mi

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FULL OF WATER AFTER IT RAINS, AIR ONLY BLOW ON HIGH UNTIL IT RECENTLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WORSE THIS TIME RADIO AND WIPER BLADES WERE AFFECTED. A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239607

Incident

Aug 24, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

2003 FORD TAURUS, COWL LEAK. WATER LEAKS INTO HEATER AND A/C BLOWER MOTOR CAUSING CORROSION. BLOWER MOTOR IS INOPERABLE. INHERENT PROBLEM, BUT NEVER CORRECTED. POSTINGS OF THIS CONDITION ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THE FORD DEALER WANTS ALMOST $600.00 TO REPAIR. THE IS A TSB 03-15-6 ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224983

Incident

Apr 19, 2008

Mileage

13,566 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD TAURUS FROM CARMAX IN BALTIMORE, MD IN SEPT 2006 AFTER TRADING IN MY 2000 FORD RANGER. THE TAURUS WAS A RENTAL CAR IN NJ BEFORE BEING SOLD TO CARMAX. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, STARTER, BLOWER MOTOR RELAY, TRANSMISSION GASKET AND NOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10223115

Incident

Apr 2, 2008

Mileage

68,812 mi

WATER WAS NOTICED IN THE FLOOR BOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE. A FEW DAYS LATER, 2/20/2007, MY BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT. I CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. TURNED OUT TO BE A WELL KNOWN WATER LEAK PROBLEM STEMMING FROM A DESIGN DEFECT LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT ALLOWS WATER TO GET INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE REST IS HISTORY. I PAID $324 FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE REPLACEMENT COWL STILL BOWS SO THE WATER CAN CONTINUE TO ENTER WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I RETURNED MY CAR THIS MORNING 2 23 07, (THE DAY AFTER PICKED IT UP IN THE DARK) TO EXPRESS MY DISSATISFACTION AND WAS TOLD TO COME BACK MONDAY. HOW CAN A CAR MANUFACTURER OF 100 YEARS NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO LEAK...AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD??!! FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10183411

Incident

Feb 20, 2007

Mileage

27,450 mi

ENGINE STARTS MISFIRING AND LOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND SHUTS OFF. YOU CAN TURN IGNITION OFF AND RESTART ENGINE AND THE ENGINE RUNS GOOD FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE FUEL RAIL SENSOR CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM, BUT I'VE INSTALLED TWO SENSORS IN FOUR MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10155917

Incident

Apr 23, 2006

Mileage

99,999 mi

WATER LEAKING ON FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT, I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE LAST TIME WAS JAN 2004 AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT INFOR THE 5TH TIME ON THURSDAY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTER AND CHARGED ME 50.00 DOLLARS FOR MY QUALITY CARE DEDUCTABLE, AND IM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10110541

Incident

Feb 14, 2004

2003 FORD TAURUS HAS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ENGINE BACKFIRING, HOOD LATCH IS BROKEN, AND SEAT BRACKET FELL OFF. *MR THE TIRES WERE CONTINUOUSLY GOING FLAT. SIX FLATS OCCURRED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ON A TRIP, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULD JERK IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE WOULD BACK FIRE INTERMITTENTLY AND STALLED ON ONE OCCASION, THE SEAT BRACKET WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT FAILED AGAIN (THE SEAT BRACKET WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FROM THE START), THE ENGINE ALSO DISPLAYED KNOCKING AND HAD TAKEN ABOUT 9 VISITS BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A VALVE WAS STICKING OUT. THE A/C DID NOT COOL, THE CONSUMER SMELLED COOLANT WHICH LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES AND RIMS WERE A PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 18 VISITS/TWO REAR TIRES REMAINED A PROBLEM DUE TO SEVERE INFLATION PROBLEMS AND THE TIRES WOULD NEED TO BE INFLATED SEVERAL TIMES DAILY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *SC THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR. TIRE LOOSING AIR PRESSURE FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. *TC THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 2-25-06 AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 03/29/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10089425

Incident

Apr 15, 2004

BOLT ON STABILIZER TO RIGHT REAR TIRE DISLODGED, NO NUT, ALLOWING BOLT TO LOOSEN AND WHEEL TO DISLOCATE TO ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.*AK

NHTSA ID

10029118

Incident

Jul 6, 2003

Mileage

4,200 mi