2003 Ford Taurus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS PURCHASED IN 2003. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE HE HEARD A LOUD BANG COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BECAME FLAT. HER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE FLAT TIRE, BUT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO DATE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 43,000.

• 12/31/2009· SUSPENSION

  2003 FORD TAURUS LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND SEVERED TIRE. *TR

• 12/30/2013· VISIBILITY

  THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR HAS STOPPED WORKING IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. FORD HAS ISSUES A BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

• 12/30/2008· SUSPENSION

  FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE THE SWAY BAR LINK. THIS WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE STRUT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES. *TR

• 12/30/2008· SUSPENSION

  COIL SPRING BROKE AND TOOK OUT BRAND NEW TIRE ON A 2003 FORD TAURUS. NO SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR, LET GO WHEN STILL IN DRIVEWAY, PULLED CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE SPRING BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE TIRE. *TR

• 12/29/2018· SUSPENSION

  A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AREA WHICH WAS VERY NOTICABLE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY, SO PULLED BACK IN AND LOOKED TO SEE WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG. I NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AND THAT THE WHEEL CLEARANCE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS ON PASSENGER VERSE DRIVER FRONT TIRE. DROVE UP ONTO RAMPS TO LOOK FROM BENEATH AND COULD CLEARLY SEE THE END OF THE COIL POKING INTO THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRE WITH A WORN MARK ALL THE WAY AROUND WHERE IT WAS PUSHING INTO THE RUBBER. AFTER CAREFULLY BACKING OFF RAMPS, IT WAS JACKED UP AND PLACED ON JACK STANDS, AT WHICH TIME IT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE THE COIL SPRING WAS SNAPPED IN TWO. IT IS A MIRACLE THIS WAS FOUND BEFORE MY SISTER DROVE 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY SHE WAS ABOUT TO. THIS WOULD'VE CERTAINLY CAUSED A BLOWOUT AND POTENTIALLY A FIRE, AND AT THOSE SPEEDS COULD'VE CERTAINLY BEEN DEADLY.

• 12/29/2013· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MANAGED TO GET OVER TO SHOULDER AND CAR WOULD NOR MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. *TR

• 12/29/2010· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN COMING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER FROM WORK, MY CAR COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR RUNS BUT I CANNOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS. AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GAS STATION. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND I SEE BY YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHO IS GOING TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED. *TR

• 12/29/2010· SUSPENSION

  TUE 28DEC2010 OUTSIDE TEMP = 21F I ENTERED DRIVER'S SEAT & IMMEDIATELY HEARD LOUD "BONG!" SOUND OF LF COIL SPRING BREAKING. I AM FAMILIAR W/ FORD RECALL# 04V332000 (NHTSA REFERENCE #04V332000) AND HAVE BEEN WAITING SIMILAR RECALL FOR NEWER MODELS DURING NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08018, ONGOING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW. I TRIED TO DRIVE OFF SLOWLY TO AVOID TIRE DAMAGE BUT COULD NOT, AS WITHIN THE FIRST TIRE ROTATION THE BROKEN SPRING SLASHED THE ENTIRE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LF TIRE. REPAIRS WILL COST $300 FOR STRUT/SPRING REPLACEMENT + $60 TOW + $150 FOR TIRE, TOTAL = $510, AND I EXPECT RF TO BREAK IDENTICALLY AT ANY MOMENT. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT THE INVESTIGATION OF A SAFETY HAZARD IDENTICAL TO VEHICLES TWO YEARS OLDER HAS TAKEN TWO YEARS! *TR

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  ON DEC 26, 2009 MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO HEAD TO WORK, AND THE PASS FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO THE COIL SPRING RUPTURING. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT. RESEARCHING THIS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CASES WHERE THIS HAS OCCURRED, A SMALL SAMPLING CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML IT IS A WIDELY DOCUMENTED ISSUE, WITH NO RECALL ACTION BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I AM CURRENTLY DEPLOYED, SERVING OUR COUNTRY... WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO ACTION TO FORCE FORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED? THE PROPERTY DAMAGED BY THIS FAILURE WAS MY CAR, WHICH INVOLVES THE SPRING, STRUT AND TIRE (JUST PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR). MY WIFE LOST A DAY OF WORK BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HOW LONG DOES IT REALLY TAKE FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING, WITH THE POTENTIAL OF ENDING LIVES, HAVE TO TAKE WITH THE THOUSANDS OF CASES THAT ARE ALREADY DOCUMENTED, AND OCCURRING CONTINUOUSLY? *TR

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY MOTHERS 2003 FORD TAURUS BROKE AS SHE WAS NEARING HOME. IT DESTROYED THE TIRE. I CALLED FORD & THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT ONLY FOR TAURUSES UP TO 2001. MY MOTHER DRIVES ON A LOT OF HIGHWAYS & I FEEL THIS COULD BE VERY UNSAFE. A LOCAL AUTO SHOP REPLACED IT & TOLD HER THE SPRINGS BREAK AS EASILY ON THE '03'S AS THE OLDER TAURUSES. *TR

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON A ROAD SURFACE COVERED WITH GRAVEL ICE SHE HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NEXT, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. SHE EXCHANGED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AND THE COIL SPRING WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000 UPDATED 2/1/10 *CN THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF. UPDATED 02/02/10.*JB

• 12/29/2008· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  WATER LEAK AT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR, RESISTOR AND COWL, STILL LEAKS. REFERENCE RECALL 03V087000 AND MANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS, SPECIFICALLY 10184014. THERE WAS WATER LEAKING AT PASSENGER DASH AREA ON AND OFF SINCE 07. IT HADN'T LEAKED IN QUITE A WHILE SO I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $250.00 TO FIX AND I WAS WAITING TO SEE IF IT KEPT UP OR GOT WORSE. THEN THE BLOWER QUIT WORKING. I SPENT $373.14 FOR A NEW BLOWER MOTOR, RESISTOR ASSY, WEATHERSTRIP, COWL PANEL AND SEALANT. ON THE 28TH OF DECEMBER, 2008 MY FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR WAS AGAIN, FULL OF WATER. NOTE, THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED FOR MANY MONTHS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEW COWL PUT ON ON DECEMBER 9TH. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THE PREVIOUS WATER PROBLEM CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO GO BAD. HE SAID IT WAS HARD TO SAY. EVIDENTLY IT WAS "HARD TO SAY" BECAUSE IT SAYS RIGHT ON THE RECEIPT "WATER IN BLOWER CASE". I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER OF 03 (AS A USED VEHICLE BUT STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH ONLY 18,408 MILES ON IT) BUT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM NOW. I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE SAME DEALER SINCE APRIL 9TH, 04. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THE RECALL WAS IN EFFECT AT THIS TIME OR HOW LONG THE RECALL WAS IN EFFECT? THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING. WHERE ARE THE ETHICS FROM FORD FOR TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM? MAYBE I SHOULD FILE FOR MY OWN "BAIL OUT", WITH THE AMOUNT OF WATER LEAKAGE I'VE HAD, I'LL PROBABLY NEED IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. JEANNE ACHESON *TR

• 12/29/2008· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS IN ANY TYPE OF CONDITION THAT INVOLVES MOISTURE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WITHOUT REPAIR, WATER COULD SEEP INTO THE HEATER, BURN OUT THE MOTOR, AND CAUSE MOLD TO FORM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

• 12/29/2005· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  2003 FORD TAURUS HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSE WATER TO GET IN TO DASH BOARD AREA ON PASSENGER SIDE. MY FAN BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING, WHEN I REMOVED THE MOTOR THERE WAS WATER IN THE MOTOR AND THE FLOOR WAS WET. WE HAD NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. *JB

• 12/28/2009· SUSPENSION

  2003 FORD TAURUS, NOISE FROM LEFT FRONT, HARD TO STEER, FOUND LEFT FRONT TIRE FLAT, AFTER SWAPPING TIRE WITH SPARE FOUND NOISE STILL PRESENT AND HARD TO STEER, TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN, REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS AND BALL JOINT HAD PLAY IN THEM. *TR

• 12/28/2009· SUSPENSION

  AS I BEGAN TO DRIVE MY 2003 FORD TAURUS, I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR DROPPED SUDDENLY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, AND GOT OUT TO INSPECT IT. I FOUND THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT TIRE NOT ONLY FLAT, BUT NEARLY DRAGGED OFF THE RIM. IT HAD BEEN SPEARED BY THE COIL SPRING, WHICH WAS BROKEN AND HAD RUN THROUGH THE (ALMOST NEW) TIRE LIKE A HOOK. TWO-THIRDS OF THE TIRE SIDEWALL IS TORN OPEN. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING AT ANY GREAT SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT ANY RECALL OR TSB THAT MAY APPLY AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, THE WOMAN AT THE DESK TOLD ME THIS TYPE OF FAILURE "TENDS TO HAPPEN", AND DID NOT SEEM AT ALL CONCERNED, OR EVEN SURPRISED, AT THE PROBLEM. I WAS QUOTED ROUGHLY $400 TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND HAVE THE CAR ALIGNED. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY BEEN BACK FROM MY USUAL REPAIR SHOP FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS, DUE TO THE REPAIR OF OTHER EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *TR

• 12/27/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS INSPECTED BY A PERSONAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION OR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

• 12/27/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE ROAD SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. UPDATED 1/30/2013 *JS

• 12/27/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILED ON HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WHERE IT WOULD WORK ON HIGH ONLY. PART REPLACED AND IT IS NOW WORKING, APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 FORD TAURUS. *NM

• 12/26/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  2003 FORD TAURUS ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPIT. THE CAR ACCELERATED SO FAST RHE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND LEFT A TIRE TRACK ON THE BUILDING THAT THE CAR CRASHED INTO. DURING THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION THE CAR VEERED RIGHT AND STEERING COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

• 12/26/2005· VISIBILITY

  BLOWER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. I SUSPECTED THAT IT WOULD EITHER BE THE BLOWER SWITCH ITSELF OR THE RELAY. I REPLACED BOTH AND QUICKLY DETERMINED THAT THOSE TWO COMPONENTS WERE FINE. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, I SUSPECT THAT MY PROBLEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH TSB 031506. LIKE THE OTHER PLAINTIFFS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD OFFER TO REPAIR THIS COSTLY GLOBAL ISSUE WITH THEIR 2003 TAURUS MODELS. *JB

• 12/25/2010· SUSPENSION

  ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AS I WAS BACKING MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE FRONT STRUTS AND COIL SPRINGS WHICH COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. TODAY, AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ONCE AGAIN, THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. AGAIN, I WILL NEED TO SPEND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, THIS TIME TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUTS AND COIL SPRINGS IN ORDER TO ASSURE MY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY USED TO DRIVE A FEW MILES EVERY DAY ON SMOOTH, PAVED ROADS SO THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS DUE TO THEIR BREAKING. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THE PARTS BROKE AS I WAS EXITING MY GARAGE, AND NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 MPH. I BELIEVE THIS ONGOING ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HOPE SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL COMPENSATION CAN BE AGREED UPON TO COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/25/2010· POWER TRAIN

  MY HUSBAND AND I ALONG WITH OUR 2 YR OLD WERE DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING AND STOPPED AT STOPPED SIGN AND MY HUSBAND HIT THE GAS TO GO AND IT TOOK OFF SLOWLY, THAN JUST WOULDN'T GO WE HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH TRAFFIC AROUND US. NO WARNING LIGHT OR ANYTHING THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT. THE CAR WONT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE, IT SHIFTS BUT WONT MOVE. WE NEED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT, WE GOT AN ESTIMATE OF 2100. I LOST MY JOB, IM PREGNANT WITH MY 2ND CHILD AND WE JUST PURCHASED THE 2003 FORD TAURUS ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPAIRING A CAR WE JUST GOT. *TR

• 12/24/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A CLINGING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED, AND THEN PUNCTURED A HOLE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT NEW SPRINGS AND A TIRE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 83,000.

• 12/23/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FORD TAURUS 2003 CAR SAFETY PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON JULY 01, 2007.FORD TAURUS 2003, MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING.

• 12/23/2016· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THROTTLE STUCK WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL GOING INTO A TURN NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I RELEASED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV, FORCING THE USE OF BRAKES TO GAIN CONTROL. PLACED TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE REVVED BEFORE TURNING IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF POSITION. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP BROKE AND PREVENTED THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO NEUTRAL POSITION. *TR

• 12/23/2013· SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  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

• 12/23/2008· SUSPENSION

  I TOOK THE CAR INTO A FORD DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS COMPLAINING OF A BOUNCY RIDE. ASKED FOR THE STRUTS TO BE LOOKED AT. DEALER SAYS THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. LESS THAN 3000 MILES AFTER LAST VISIT, LEFT FRONT STRUT SELF DESTRUCTED. I WENT OUT TO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP, PUT IT IN GEAR AND HEARD A LOUD CRASHING NOISE SIMILAR TO A GLASS GALLON JUG BEING THROWN TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVED FORWARD EVEN AN INCH AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED WHILE PUTTING IT IN FORWARD GEAR. THEN ANOTHER LOUD BAM AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAME DOWN. VISUAL INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT STRUT SPRING EXPLODED AND BLEW OUT THE TIRE. ALL 4 STRUTS WERE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS AS FORD IS STILL SELLING THE SAME VERSION OF THE STRUT AND SPRING. PARTS WERE DISPOSED OF. *TR

• 12/23/2005· VISIBILITY

  HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE INTO BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR CAUSED BY POORLY DESIGNED COWL VENT SCREEN(PASSENGER SIDE). FORD HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY ISSUED TSB #03-15-6 TO DETAIL THE REPAIR PROCEDURE AND REDESIGNED THE PASSENGER SIDE COWL OUTSIDE SCREEN/VENT PANEL TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE IT MIGHT NOT BE A SERIOUS ENOUGH PROBLEM TO RECALL ALL THE CARS COVERED UNDER THIS TSB, THE REPAIR OF THE DEFECT SHOULD BE BORNE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, NOT THE CONSUMER! THEY CHARGED ME $382.57 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

• 12/22/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DRIVING 6AM TODAY BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY TURNED BACK ON 5 SECOND LATER BUT THAT IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. ALSO DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON RANDOM TIMES FOR THE LAST YEAR EVEN THIS MORNING BUT DIFFERENT TIME THEN HEADLIGHT ISSUE.

• 12/22/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE TIRE TO FLATTEN. THE DAMAGED TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE COIL SPRING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPAIRED AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF SUSPENSION REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY A SECOND MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 277,000.

• 12/21/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  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!

• 12/21/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, AT FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OUT OF PARK, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT FINALLY DID. AT THAT POINT IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I FOUND AN OLD RECALL THAT APPEARED TO MATCH THE VEHICLE (04S12) BUT THE FORD DEALER STATED MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT STATE WHETHER THE CAR HAD ALREADY HAD IT DONE OR NOT. *TR

• 12/21/2010· SUSPENSION

  MY 2003 FORD TAURUS WAS SIMPLY SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A HUGE POP. WE LOOKED TO SEE THE TIRE HAD GONE FLAT! WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE WE DISCOVERED THE FLAT WAS A RESULT FROM THE COIL SPRING BREAKING AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE. SO NOW NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE SPRING, BUT ALSO A NEW TIRE. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE 2001 CUT OFF MODEL ON A RECALL AND THEY NEED TO MAKE RIGHT WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD OWNER. THEY SHOULD BE AS LOYAL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS!!! *TR

• 12/21/2010· SUSPENSION

  WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THEN MY TIRE DEFLATED LIKE A BALLOON. HAD A TIRE GUY COME TO FIX IT AND HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO A BROKEN STRUT/SPRING. IT HAD BROKEN AND SLASHED THE TIRE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. *TR

• 12/21/2009· SUSPENSION

  BACKING UP 2003 FORD TAURUS FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED TIRE. THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY FOR BOTH SIDES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/21/2009· SUSPENSION

  FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FRACTURED ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS, PUNCTURING THE ADJACENT TIRE. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AS MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK AND THE TIRE INSTANTLY WENT FLAT. *TR

• 12/21/2008· SUSPENSION

  DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE ON 12/20/2008 PUNCTURING TIRE. PART OF BROKEN COIL SPRING HAS RUST LINE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. HAVE NOT HAD REPAIRED YET. *TR

• 12/21/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION WHILE GOING 50 MPH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE SEAT BELT. *TC

• 12/21/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  CONTINUOUS WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE WHICH FILLS UP FLOORBOARD AND HAS EFFECTED THE FAN MOTOR ON THE HEATING AND AIR SYSTEM...FAN HAS QUIT BLOWING. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THAT WAS MENTIONED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY STATE IT WAS NOT WRITTEN DOWN SO THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. *AK

• 12/20/2010· SUSPENSION

  ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY BROKE. THIS SLICED MY TIRE SIDEWALL AND CAUSED MY CAR FRONT END TO DROP TO THE GROUND. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE BAD THING IS THAT IT IS MINNESOTA AND WINTER. I THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY BAD. *TR

• 12/20/2010· SUSPENSION

  ON 12/20/2010 LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST 2 MILES AFTER DEPARTURE FROM HOME. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLAT TIRE. THE SHOULDER WAS NARROW AND THE ROAD WAS SNOW COVERED. WHEN PULLING OFF THE ROAD THE CAR GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. UPON RETRIEVAL FROM THE DITCH AND SUBSEQUENT TOW TO THE TIRE STORE WE DISCOVERED THE BROKEN SPRING ISSUE. WE HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED THE SPRING/STRUT PROBLEM AS THE TIRE STORE DOES NOT PERFORM THAT TYPE OF REPAIR. WE ARE PLANNING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS AS WELL AS REAR SPRINGS TO HAVE SOME PEACE OF MIND. WE PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES AND WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FULL-SERVICE REPAIR SHOP ON 12/21/2010. THE TIRE STORE COULD NOT MOUNT THE NEW TIRE ON THE LEFT FRONT BECAUSE OF THE BROKEN SPRING. THE TIRE STORE MOUNTED THE "MINI" SPARE THAT COULD CLEAR THE BROKEN SPRING. WE FEEL FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES! *TR

• 12/20/2004· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,CHILD SEATCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING FOUR TIMES. THE CAR SEAT STRAP SNAPPED WHILE LATCHED. THE CHEST LOCKING CLIP WAS REPLACED WITH LOCKING MECHANISM WHICH ACTED AS A BACKUP RESTRAINT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK.....ALSO, SHOULDER BELT FAILED. *AK

• 12/19/2010· POWER TRAIN

  WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY GAS PEDAL OF MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD - THE CAR JERKED AND THEN NOTHING. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO ROLL AND THEN PUSH MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME OR I WOULD OF BEEN HIT - IT WAS VERY SCARY. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HAD TO WAIT FOR AAA AND THEN GET MY CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION PLACE. THEY REPLACED AND IT COST ME $1,133.58. *TR

• 12/19/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC, BUT HE ALSO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPROGRAMMED THE PCM TO THE LATEST CALIBRATION LEVEL, WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT SHUTS OFF AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09.*JB

• 12/19/2005· VISIBILITY

  18 MAY 2004, AFTER RAIN SHOWERS, VEHICLE BLOWER MOTOR QUIT WORKING. COULD NOT SEE OUT OF FRONT WINDSHEILD AFTER 15 MINUTES FROM CONDENSATION BUILD-UP. ON 24 MAY 2004, TOOK VEHICLE TO FOMOCO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR AND SAID A SEAL FAILED. *NM

• 12/18/2006· SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS. LAST WEEK THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND RIPPED THE TIRE. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM FOR 2001 AND EARLIER MODELS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *NM

• 12/18/2005· VISIBILITY

  HEATER BLOWER NOT WORKING LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER IN PASSENGER FLOOR PAN. *JB

• 12/17/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED AT 5 MPH AND PUNCTURED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COIL SPRINGS AND TIRE WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.