2003 Ford Taurus complaints

IN REGARDS TO COMPLAINT # EA08018, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS THE UNDERLYING ISSUE. THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE ADJACENT FRONT TIRE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH TAURUSES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SALT BELT STATES-- I RESIDE IN MICHIGAN. GIVEN THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED, I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL FORD DEALER MONDAY JULY 6TH TO SEE WHAT HE CAN DO FOR ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THE COIL SPRING WAS WRAPPED INSIDE THE TIRE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE FOUND AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (EA08018 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS)). THE CONTACT LIVES IN A STATE THAT IS HIGH IN SALT, BUT HE FOUND NO CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 07/24/09. *LJ

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY, WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ALL GEAR SETTINGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PARK, RESPONDED IN THE SAME MANNER AS NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY TYPE. THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED. ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON OR AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FOR THIS VEHICLE. A CURSORY SEARCH OF INTERNET AUTO MESSAGE BOARDS REVEALED AT LEAST SEVERAL HUNDRED FAILURES OF THE SAME TYPE IN 2003 FORD TAURUS AUTOMOBILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A SERVICE STATION. WHILE THE TIRE WAS BEING REPLACED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE SPRING AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $600 ON APRIL 12, 2008. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH DUE TO A STABILIZER FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ON JUNE 25, 2009, THE RADIATOR HOSE CORRODED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,424. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN UPDATED 09/02/09.*JB

I OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH DEFECTIVE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. ON 6/22/09, THE SPRING ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. ACCORDING TO FORD, AND MY MECHANIC, THESE SPRINGS WERE RECALLED, BUT ONLY UP TO THE 2001 TAURUS. THE SPRING SHOWED NO SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION, AND BASICALLY JUST CRACKED AND BROKE. IF THE BREAK HAD OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IT WOULD HAVE HAD THE POTENTIAL OF SERIOUS INJURY/DEATH. AS THE SPRINGS APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS IN THE 2001 MODEL, I AM CURIOUS WHY THE 2003 SPRINGS WERE ALSO NOT RECALLED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE TIRE, WHICH WAS NEARLY NEW. *TR

AC FAN ONLY BLOWS ON HIGH. WAS DRIVING HOME IN POURING DOWN RAIN, AND AC BLOWER QUIT WORKING ON 2ND NOTCH. WHEN CONTACTING FORD, THEY TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE A WARRANTY AND JUST THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD BE 70 DOLLARS. I'M A SINGLE MOM OF THREE AND FROM SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. AS YOU KNOW YOU NEED EITHER HEAT OR AIR TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THIS IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT AND DOES NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

AS I WAS BACKING MY 2003 FORD TAURUS (55,000 MILES) OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG, I STOPPED THE CAR. I FOUND MY LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN. I CALLED AAA TO CHANGE THE TIRE THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THE SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE MECHANIC I TOOK THE CAR TO WAS NOT SURPRISED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. LIVES COULD BE LOST . PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,432.

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65-70) WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS, CAR BUCKS VIOLENTLY (AT 70K MILES ON ODOMETER). ALSO, RANDOM ROUGH IDLING SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN JULY 2003. AFTER TAKING CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALERSHIP WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE EVEN AFTER HOOKING UP RECORDER. DID MY OWN RESEARCH ON LINE AND DISCOVERED A FAULTY CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A $400 REPAIR THAT FORD IS AWARE OF AS THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RATE IS USUALLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES MAKING IT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER. I HAVE ALSO PERSONALLY SPOKEN WITH A DOZEN TAURUS OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO DID NOT RESPOND OR FOLLOW THROUGH. VERY DISAPPOINTED AS THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS NOT TO MENTION CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IF THE SYNCHRONIZER FAILS COMPLETELY. IF YOUR TAURUS HAS A ROUGH IDLE THAT IS INTERMITTENT AND THE DIAGNOSTIC SAYS THERE IS NO CODE, IT IS PROBABLY THIS PROBLEM AS THE SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD INDICATES THAT THE CAM SYNCHRONIZER DOES NOT THROW A CODE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. ALSO, IF YOUR CAR BUCKS OR HESITATES ON HARD ACCELERATION OR THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED CHIRPING SOUND, IT IS THE CAM SYNCHRONIZER. IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TELL THEM WHAT IT IS SO THEY DON'T CHARGE YOU AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT WILL SHOW NO PROBLEMS! IT'S BAD ENOUGH TO HAVE TO PAY $400 FOR A PART THAT SHOULD

JUNE 12, 2009 DRIVE TIME 7300 E. HAMPTON AVE. MESA, AZ 85209 TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: MY NAME IS ANDREA M. LOVE. MAY 14, 2009 WAS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE BECAUSE I PURCHASED MY FIRST NEW CAR, A 2003 FORD TAURUS SES FROM DRIVE TIME AT 11247 E. COLONIAL DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL 32817. THE COLOR IS A BEAUTIFUL DARK CHERRY RED, THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LOOKS MAGNIFICENT; IT'S ROOMY FOR MY FAMILY AND BEST OF ALL IT'S MY FIRST NEW CAR. I'VE SEEN THE MANY ADVERTISEMENTS ON TELEVISION AND THOUGHT TO MYSELF EVERYONE CAN'T GET APPROVED LIKE THEY SAY. I WENT ONLINE AND FILLED OUT THE APPLICATION AND TO MY SURPRISE THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL AND A TELEPHONE CALL THAT I WAS APPROVED AND NEEDED TO COME INTO THE OFFICE TO SPEAK WITH A SALES PERSON. I CALLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY AND ALL MY FRIENDS AND TOLD THEM THE GREAT NEWS I HAD JUST RECEIVED BECAUSE A WEEK PRIOR I HAD A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ON MAY 19, 2009 IT RAINED FROM SUN UP TO SUN DOWN AND IT WAS FORECASTED TO RAIN THE REST OF THE WEEK, SO MY CHILDREN ASKED ME TO DRIVE THEM TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY. WHEN MY DAUGHTER OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO GET IN, SHE STEPPED INTO A THREE INCH PUDDLE OF WATER. AT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF. ON WEDNESDAY THE 20TH I CALLED THE DRIVE TIME SERVICE CENTER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE LEAK LOOKED AT AND REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK OFF WORK TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND THAT TH

WINDSHIELD OF 2003 TAURUS EXHIBITS LEAKS, WIND NOISE, SQUEAKS AND RATTLES AND MAY REDUCE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SNAPPED LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING AND STABBED THE TIRE. WHILE BREAKING, IT ALSO BROKE THE STRUT AND TORSION BAR. TOTAL COST WAS $810.00. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID " WATER GOT UP IN THERE AND ROTTED IT." *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED, WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

THE REAR SPRING ON OUR 2003 FORD TAURUS BROKE OVERNIGHT. AS WE TRIED TO DRIVE IT IN THE MORNING WE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL AND PULLED THE CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY. WE REMOVED THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND THE JAGGED TIP WAS GROOVING THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD SURELY HAVE BLOWN THE TIRE. REPLACING BOTH REAR SPRINGS COST $590.07, AND REPLACING THE TIRE UNDER A ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY COST ANOTHER $86.78. THE CAR HAS ONLY 76,200 MILES ON IT. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET WE DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FRONT AND REAR SPRINGS ON THE FORD TAURUS, ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH THE 2004 MODELS. FOR RECENT COMPLAINTS, SEE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS? THESE SPRING BREAKS OFTEN DESTROY THE TIRES. MY FORD MECHANIC TELLS ME THEY SEE THESE FAILURES QUITE OFTEN, AND ADMITTED FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SPRINGS. WHY IS NHTSA ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE? IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE MATTER TO ASK ALL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HOW MAY OF THESE FAILURES THEY HAVE SEEN. THE WEBSITE I GAVE YOU ABOVE SHOULD GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HOW BAD THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME. *TR

I JUST DISCOVERED WATER IN MY BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. RECENTLY MY BLOWER STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER AND IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. I AM CURRENTLY GOING TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND SEE IF THIS REPAIRS THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR

BLOWER MOTOR IN MY 2003 TAURUS ONLY RUNS ON HIGH. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH YEAR AND MODEL. WATER LEAKS IN AND BURNS THE BLOWER OUT. RECENTLY HAD TO DRIVE WITH NO DEFROSTER OND UE TO NO BLOWER. HAD THE BLOWER REPLACED NOW IT ONLY RUNS ON HIGH,IT APPARENTLY NEEDS A NEW RESISTOR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED BRAND NEW TIRE WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, INSTANTLY DEFLATING TIRE. WAS ON A ROAD TRIP OUT OF STATE AT THE TIME AND HAD IT HAPPENED ON ANY OF THE 65 MPH HIGHWAYS WE TRAVELED, IT WOULD'VE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED 90 MILES BACK HOME AND AM BEING TOLD I WILL NEED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS AS WELL AS REPLACE THE BRAND NEW TIRE THAT WAS DAMAGED. *TR

I OWN A 03 FORD TAURUS SE, AND ON MY CAR, AND EVERY OTHER TAURUS I HAVE SEEN ON THE ROADS AROUND HERE, ALL HAVE THE SAME BODY DEFECT LEADING TO RUST ON BOTH REAR QUARTER-PANELS. *TR

2003 FORD TAURUS - REAR SPRING BROKE AND SLASHED TIRE. VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT IF MOVING COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAD TO REPLACE REAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS AND NEW TIRE. $582. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS THAT THE BLOWER IS BAD AND APPARENTLY DUE TO WATER DAMAGE THROUGH THE VENT AREA, I SEE WHERE ON THE INTERNET THIS MAY BE A RECURRING ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON. WHAT COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD I TAKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED SO I DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BUY BLOWER MOTORS. THE CAR IS VERY RELIABLE OTHER THAN THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD BECAME FILLED WITH WATER DURING A RAINSTORM. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD AND WATER FILLING UP IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,500.

2003 FORD TAURUS - WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH THE HEATER BOX CAUSED A FAILURE OF THE VENTILATION FAN, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO DEFROST/DEFOG THE WINDSHIELD FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND CUT THE TIRE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE COIL SPRING. THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT YOU CANNOT REPAIR ONE COIL SPRING WITHOUT REPAIRING THE OTHER. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR HIM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

2003 TAURUS WAGON - FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED/ DESTROYED TIRE. STARTED CAR IN AM, PLACED INTO REVERSE AND HEARD NOISE/ AIR PRESSURE WHOOSH AND LF SANK. LEARNED COILS SPRING HAD FAILED WHEN REMOVED TIRE TO PUT ON SPARE. TOLD BY BOTH DEALER SERVICE MANAGER AND TOW TRUCK OPERATOR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CHECKED ON-LINE AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM ADDRESSED FOR 99-01 BUT NOT 02-03 YET. NHTSA INVESTIGATION OPEN. ALTHOUGH FORD ARGUES FAILURE SUCH AS THIS NOT LIFE THREATENING, I FEEL IF ROADS ARE SLICK WITH SNOW/ ICE, LOSS OF CONTROL COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. IN ANY EVENT, IT APPEARS THERE IS A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH 02 - 03 MODEL YEARS THAT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE 99-01'S BASED ON MY SEARCH OF THE NET. *TR

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOT, PUNCTURING THE SIDE WALL OF TIRE( 30K MI LEFT ON TIRE) NOW HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH COIL SPRING(ONLY COME IN PAIRS, BY NEW TIRE. DAM LUCKY I WASN'T ON EXPRESS WAY DOING 65. MY CAR IS A 2003 FORD TAURUS 98K MI. *TR

RIGHT FRONT STRUT/SPRING MOUNT BROKE LOOKS LIKE FROM CORROSION THESE MODELS WERE RECALLED ON EARLIER MODELS FOR THIS SAME THING SEEMS LIKE ITS NOT ON YOUR SITE FOR THE 2003'S. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CARPET, PADDING AND FLOORBOARDS BECOME SOAKING WET EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND IT RAINS EVERY 3 DAYS IN THE CHICAGO AREA. WE HAVE TO WET VACUUM THE WATER OUT TO TRY AND KEEP THE CARPET & PADDING FROM MOLDING AND STINKING UP THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER THINKS THAT THEY CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT GUARANTEE ANY REPAIR FOR THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. WE AND HAVE HEARD OF, AND THE DEALERS KNOW OF MULTITUDES OF FORD TAURUS OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A KNOWN CAUSE AND GOOD FIX TO THIS PROBLEM AND AS WIDE SPREAD OF A MAJOR PROBLEM THIS IS, ESPECIALLY FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS LIKE MY WIFE, THERE SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM AND FIX THIS PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SES BROKE A FRONT LH SIDE STRUT COIL SPRING WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. I ONLY MOVED THE CAR ABOUT A FOOT, THE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE TIRE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO BECAUSE THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN THE SIDE WALL. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR FIXED YET. I AM TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT ALL I SHOULD REPLACE INCLUDING THE OTHER SIDE SPRING. FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. *TR

2003 TAURUS, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED, PUNCTURED TIRE. 50,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED...GAS LEAKING...TANK FULL OF HOLES.. HEAT SHIELD ALSO REPLACED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING 2007, WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WENT TO PULL AWAY AND MAKE A TURN THEN CAR STOPPED MOVING. I WAS ON A TWO LANE ROAD, WITH CARS COMING BEHIND ME. I STARTED CAR BACK UP AND PUT INTO GEAR, WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TOWED TO WORK (SUBARU, LINCOLN, MERCURY OF BEECHMONT). OUR TECH LOOKED AT ON MONDAY AND TOLD NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. FORD L/M WOULD NOT HELP WITH ANY COVER OF THE REPAIR. THE CAR HAD 83,412 MILES AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO PUT A USED TRANSMISSION IN, WHICH IS BAD AND PUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IN AND THAT ONE IS BAD BUT DRIVABLE.... I FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. I DID CALL FORD CO AND THE REP WAS NOT PLEASANT AND REALLY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ME INFORMATION, THEY DID AND NOTHING WAS DONE.. *TR

THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE DOOR DOES NOT SHUT CORRECTLY, NEVER HAS. IT LEAKS RAIN WATER, AND IS LOUD DO TO AIR WHISPING THROUGH THE WEAK SEAL WHILE DRIVING. I INVESTIGATED THE SITUATION AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL. I WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT IN PREVIOUS YEARS BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPS. WITHOUT THE RETAINER, THE SPRINGS DROPPED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPRINGS FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE STABILIZER BARS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. BOTH STABILIZERS WERE REPLACED WITH METAL STABILIZERS AND BOTH SPRINGS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM TO TAKE HIS RECEIPT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR A REIMBURSEMENT OF $500. CURRENTLY, THE MANUFACTURER IS DENYING REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 05/29/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. INSTANTLY, THE TIRES BLEW OUT AND SHE NOTICED A FOOT LONG GASH IN HER TIRES. SHE BEGAN LOSING CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND INSTALLED COIL SPRING SHIELDS.. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE 1999-2001 VEHICLES, BUT NOT FOR HER YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. FORD STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSES ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD TAURUS AT 30 MPH, SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD SERIES OF CRACKING NOISES,FOLLOWED BY A BANG AS THE NOSE OF THE CAR DROPPED AND IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I BROUGHT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD SHATTERED - PIECES OF IT TORE THE CV JOINT BOOT, BROKE THE PLASTIC SWAY BAR AND THE STRUT ITSELF WAS DAMAGED. THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WAS CUT, BUT IT DID NOT LOSE AIR PRESSURE. THE CV JOINT, STRUT, SPRING AND SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND I FELT IT PRUDENT TO TAKE THE SHOP'S ADVICE AND HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE DONE ALSO (THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES) TOTAL COST WAS $1380. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MODEL YEARS (YET). HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE SPRING! YES, BUT THEY PUT IT IN THEIR CARS THAT THEY MADE! I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT MY REAR SPRINGS NEED REPLACING AS WELL, BUT I WILL GET A SECOND OPINION ON THAT. THE CAR HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT, BUT I STILL DON'T FEEL THAT THESE SPRINGS SHOULD BREAK LIKE THIS. *TR THANKS,

2003 FORD TAURUS. FAN BLOWER MOTOR (FOR HEAT AND AIR SYSTEM) FAILED DUE TO COWL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. KNOWN ISSUE FOR FORD. CAN CREATE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS IF FAILURE OCCURS DURING RAIN OR COLD WEATHER. (LACK OF HEAT OR AC TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD). *TR

2003 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THERE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL: WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CABIN AIR FILTER AREA INTO CABIN COMPARTMENT AND SEIZING AND OVERHEATING HEATING RESISTOR AND HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS ON MY CAR WHICH IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CABIN AIR FILTER AREA INTO THE CABIN COMPARTMENT IN MANY 2001-3 TAURUS'S HAVE CAUSED THEIR HEATER BLOWER MOTORS TO BIND OR SEIZE WHICH ALSO BURNS OUT THE BLOWER RESISTOR. IT ALSO EVENTUALLY CAUSES MOLD TO FORM IN THE HEATER AREA AND UNDER THE DAMPENED CARPETING. AFTER NOTING A BURNING SMELL SEVERAL TIMES IN MY CAR'S CABIN AFTER STARTING MY HEATER FAN, MY HEATER DEFROSTER BLOWER AT FIRST WOULD NOT WORK- ONLY TO WORK A BIT LATER-UNTIL IT FINALLY CEASED TO WORK COMPLETELY. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY VISION WHILE DRIVING WAS SEVERELY IMPEDED DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD FOGGING OR ICING UP, AS THE DEAD BLOWER COULD NOT DEFROST IT. WHEN I PULLED THE HEATER MOTOR AND RESISTOR OUT (STILL WIRED) I DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE BURNING SMELL. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION AND FAN SWITCH ON, THE MOTOR SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE RESISTOR TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT THAT LITERALLY FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE RESISTOR! LUCKILY I SHUT THE FAN OFF COMPLETELY WHEN I SMELLED THE BURNING RESISTOR BUT IT IS FORTUNATE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. FORD IS WELL ARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TURNING THEMSELVES ON AND OFF FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME, WHILE SWITCHED OFF. NOW THEY RUN ALMOST NON STOP. DEALER SUGGESTS MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (I CHANGED IT -DIDN'T WORK), OR A GEM MODULE. A SEARCH AT TAURUS CAR CLUB SITES SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS IDENTIFIES OVERALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN ALL TAURUS' TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. *TR

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS WAS HIT BY A 1973 GMC TRUCK ON 3.04.09 AT ABOUT 35 MPH. MY DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED WITH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IMPAIRED. MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THE TAURUS' PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HEAVY METAL SOUND. SHE NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER VEHICLE WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE COIL SPRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND UNOCCUPIED IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM WITHIN THE HOUSE. WE DID NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AT THAT TIME. A SHORT WHILE LATER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SITTING LOWER. THE FINDING WAS THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED. THE BROKEN SPRING DID NOT DAMAGE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY, THE SPRING DID NOT BREAK WHILE SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS POURING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE AND LEAKING INTO THE HEATER BLOWER. CURRENTLY, THE BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON THE HIGH SWITCH AND SHORTING OUT THE WIRING SWITCH. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE DEALER SOON. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,699.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND THE CONTACT HEARD THE TIRE FLATTEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER JACKING THE VEHICLE, SHE REALIZED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC CAME TO THE SITE AND REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR SINCE HER VEHICLE YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2001 TAURUS (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HER VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

FORD TAURUS 2003 FAILURE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED TIRE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE. FRONT SUSPENSION NEEDS COIL SPRING STRUTS AND WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND SWAY BARS. FORD REFUSES TO HELP EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER ' EA08018' RECALL # 04V-332. *TR

NO EVENTS, THE REAR COIL SPRING ON MY 2003 TAURUS 4 DOOR SEDAN SIMPLY BROKE. I HEAR FROM THE FORD DEALER MECHANICS AND THE TIRE STORE PEOPLE THAT BROKEN COIL SPRINGS ON A TAURUS AND SABLE ARE AS COMMON AS FLAT TIRES. *TR

WENT OUT TO CAR IN THE MORNING, THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE WHEN IN FACT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN & PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE TOW COMPANY DRIVER HAD MENTIONED THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO REGULARLY WORKS ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE 2003 FORD TAURUS. *TR

ONCE IN APRIL 2008 AND AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2009, I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEATER BLOWER/MOTOR IN MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. BOTH TIMES, I HAD A PUDDLE OF WATER FORM ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR BEFORE THE MOTOR WENT OUT. BOTH TIMES THE BLOWER/MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH A USED PART. *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS SEDAN. TWICE IN THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARS I NOTICED WATER ON THE CARPET ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE BLOWER MOTOR STARTED ACTING ABNORMALLY. FINALLY, ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE BLOWER MOTOR, A RESISTOR BANK, A PIECE OF COWL TOP PLASTIC AND SOME WEATHERPROOF GASKET REPLACED. I LEARNED JUST PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE IN THAT THERE WAS A "TSB" ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR A RANGE OF VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 2001 AND 2003. THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS WAS $237.00 IN LABOR AND APPROXIMATELY $200.00 IN PARTS. I AM ANNOYED AND IRRITATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY STILL CAN'T LEARN HOW TO MAKE CARS, TEST THEM AS LONG AS THEY DO, BUILD THEM AND THEN I EXPERIENCE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT THEY ALREADY KNEW ABOUT, SIX YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. IT WAS ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT THE BLOWER FAILED DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS. I HAD TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT HOME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO HEAT OR ANY WAY TO DEFROST THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

1. DRIVING 60 MPH ON A DRY EXPRESSWAY, LIGHT TRAFFIC, SHORTLY AFTER DARK. CAR LIGHTLY LOADED (ONE PERSON, NO LUGGAGE), TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED 2. LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED, DESTROYING A GOOD PART OF THE SIDEWALL; ABLE TO PULL TO A SAFE STOP AND CHANGE TIRE. 3. TIRE COMPANY (GOODYEAR) HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT NO REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. *TR