2003 Ford Taurus complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER MUST BE POWERED ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE AIR OR HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RAINY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AND CONTAINED WATER DAMAGE. FORD AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS A 16,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,300.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES HE WOULD LIKE TO REIMBURSED FOR AMOUNT HE PAID OF $182.00, HOWEVER FORD ONLY AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. UPDATED 05/04/07*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE HEAT ON AND IT FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WATER WAS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE MOTOR AND RESISTOR WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WILL REOCCUR BECAUSE IT WAS ONGOING , AND THE FILTER WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DAMAGE INCLUDED WATER STAINS ON THE MOTOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO RECALL# 03V087000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 113,000. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR, RAIN HOOD, AND RESISTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONDUCTED SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALONG WITH TSB # 031506 FROM FORD, AND ANOTHER FROM NHTSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ORIGINALLY QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $443.00. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE, AND ONLY PAID $182.00. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TSB FAILURES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,300 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.*AK

2003 FORD TAURUS ,WATER LEAKING IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WHEN IT RAINS. *JB

STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, WAS UNABLE TO MOVE CAR WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED AS MAJOR TRANSMISSION WORK NEEDED AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT FORD FOR ASSISTANCE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ADVISED I TAKE TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WOULD TRY TO WORK WITH ME ON "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE". DULANEY LINCOLN MERCURY FORD DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THEY ADVISED THE COST WAS $3100, FORD COVERED ALL BUT $1000 LABOR PORTION & TOW BILLS.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS MANUALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WITH NO WARNING INDICATORS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS AWARE OF THIS FAILURE, AND ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB)#13-031506 TO THE DEALER, INDICATING THAT WATER COULD GET INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR. FORD STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WORTHY OF A RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACTS WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER ON MARCH 30, 2007. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 16,300.*AK THE CONTACT HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIR AND FURTHER STATES HE WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS WHICH IS TOTALING $182.00. UPDATE 4/23/07 *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD FOR 1 TO 3 SECONDS AND THEN STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE MAY PANIC AND HAVE AND ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER, AND NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW THE CAUSE FOR THIS.*AK

THEIR WAS A WINTER STORM AND THE BLOWER ON MY 2003 TAURUS WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE TEMPATURES STARTED TO RISE AND THE SNOW/ICE MELTED THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT CONSOLSATION ON THE UNIT AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE MOTOR HISSED, THEN STARTED THEN STOPPED. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR THE SAME REASON.

WATER SHORTED OUT MY BLOWER MOTOR IN 2003 FORD TAURUS. WE HAD A SLUSHY FRIDAY AND I WENT THROUGH A FEW SMALL PUDDLES AND HAD NO HEAT OR DEFROST IN 8 DEGREE WEATHER. NEEDLESS TO SAY NO DEFROST IN WINTER IS A HAZARD .THE FIX COST ME $400+. SIMPLY GOOGLE 2003 FORD TAURUS COWL AND YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT A SERVICE BULLETIN. DOESN'T THAT ADMIT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM ? A WATER LEAK MAY SEEM MINOR BUT NO AC IN THE DESERT OR HEAT IN THE NORTH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *JB

I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF WATER IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. SHORTLY AFTER, THE HEAT STARTED TO KICK OFF AND ON, THEN EVENTUALLY KICKED OFF COMPLETELY. NOW, WE JUST REPLACED THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR BLOWER AND RELAY BECAUSE THE MOTOR BURNED OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE WATER DAMAGE. THIS WATER DAMAGE IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A DESIGN DEFECT THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN RECALLED BY FORD ON THE 2003 TAURUS. I FOUND THIS OUT BY OTHER 2003 TAURUS OWNERS AND BY THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP EMPLOYEE WHO MENTIONED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 2003 TAURUS. NOW I'M OUT $300.00 IN PARTS AND REPAIRS FOR A DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAN CONTINUE TO CAUSE WATER DAMAGE AND KEEP PUTTING ME OUT OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS. *JB

BLOWER MOTOR (BLOWN) ISSUES WITH WATER LEAKAGE AND A VERY WET AND SMELLY CAR . *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD OF HIS 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED MORE WATER WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WET. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A WATER LEAK DUE TO THERE BEING NO DEFLECTOR OVER THE POLLEN FILTER. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIR, AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY MORE LEAKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN HAD STOPPED WORKING . HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESISTER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RESISTER SWITCH. THE AIR CONDITIONER RESISTER SWITCH FAILED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST FROM THE PREVIOUS LEAKS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 61000 MILES. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE REPAIR BILL AND WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR THE WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE WATER LEAK SHORTED OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD LEAK. UPDATE *4/20/07 *TR UPDATED 09/19/07. *JB

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTION. TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT A FEW TIMES BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER CHARGED 50 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITHIN 2 WEEKS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW TURN HEADLIGHTS ON MANUALLY. COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED ON TURNPIKE WHEN THEY MALFUNCTIONED DRIVE TOTALLY BLIND TILL LIGHT SWITCH WAS TURNED ON MANUALLY. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING UP THE 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH 72000 FAILURE MILEAGE A COUPLE OF FEET HE HEARD A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND RAISED IT TO DISCOVER THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT LEFT TIRE H SPLIT AND COIL SPRING SHEARED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAY LOUD POP LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT REMOVED TIRE AND NOTICED COIL SPRING BROKEN IT PUNCTURED TIRE. IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. THERE IS A RECALL BUT ONLY TO 2001 AND THIS IS A 2003 DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANYWHERE WITH FORD ON THIS. DO WE NEED A SERIOUS INJURY BEFORE THEY START A RE CALL ON LATER MODELS. *NM

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

AS I BACKED OUT OF MY PAVED DRIVEWAY IN MY FORD TAURUS (2003) SES I HEARD A POP AND A HISS - APPARENTLY THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND DAMAGED THE TIRE. I KNOW THE 2000 - 2002 HAD A RECALL ON THIS. I DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED ON THE 2003. *JB

BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT AND HAD NO HEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER(5 DEGREES OUT AND HAD TWO TODDLERS IN THE CAR. IT IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT ALLOWING WATER TO GET INTO THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY. *NM

WE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND A BURNING RUBBER SMELL AFTER A VERY HEAVY RAIN STORM. WE COULD HEAR WATER IN THE HEATER SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE THEY CONFIRMED A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE COWLING WHICH ALLOWS RAIN WATER TO GET INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR & RESISTER COMPONENTS. THE MOTOR AND RESISTER HAD BOTH BEEN DAMAGED BY THE WATER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, DUE TO THE DESIGN DEFECT). *NM

I OWN A SILVER, 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH 81,000 MILES. AS MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED ME ON MY CELL PHONE TO TELL ME THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CAME HOME AND REMOVED THE FLAT TIRE TO FIND OUT THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY PUNCTURED AND RIPPED HALF WAY AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I THEN PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY DOWN THE STREET WHO TOOK ONE LOOK AT IT AND SAID THAT THE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD ON THIS PROBLEM. WHEN MY WIFE FOUND OUT THAT THIS COULD OF CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO OUR FAMILY SHE WAS EXTREMELY UPSET. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS ONLY A RECALL ON 2001 VEHICLES AND NOT 2003 VEHICLES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR YET. IT IS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY WAITING TO BE FIXED. MY WIFE AND SON ARE NERVOUS DRIVING A CAR WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS IN THE CITY OR HIGHWAY. *NM

BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO BLOWER CASE ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALER TO GET THE BLOWER REPAIRED OR REPLACED. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE BLOWER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER MY 6 YR/ 75000 MI. BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKING INTO THE BLOWER CASE. I'M GOING TO FIGHT THIS BECAUSE FORD CO. KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LEAKAGE INTO THE BLOWER CASE WHICH MEANS FORD SHOULD HAVE REPLACED MY BLOWER/MOTOR FOR FREE, INSTEAD I GOT A BILL FOR $508.00 AND I'M TAKING IT TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT. IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO GET ON THE BANDWAGON LET ME KNOW. MY EMAIL IS: [email protected]. I'M IN PITTSBURGH PA AND BY THE WAY MY CAR HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

THROTTLE STICKS AT THE TOP OF THE PEDAL. THE 'BARREL' GOING FROM THE AIR CLEANER TO THE CARBURETOR HAS A BUTTERFLY IN IT, WHEN THE BUTTERFLY RETURNS, IT GETS STUCK, THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME KIND OF SEAL MATERIAL. TO THROTTLE UP SOMETIMES MEANS EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE THROTTLE, WHEN THE BUTTERFLY BREAKS LOOSE, THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD. *JB

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS' BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT. IN ORDER TO HAVE HEAT IN MY CAR WE HAD TO REPLACE IT THE SAME DAY. *JB

THE HEATER BLOWER OF THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING THE DAY THE WEATHER BECAME CODER AFTER A REASONABLY FAIR WEATHER. *NM

FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 7/22/06. I THOUGHT IT WAS ISOLATED, I WAS WRONG. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 1/14/07. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT & THE WILL RATTLE LIKE YOU'RE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD. ON THE MORNING OF 1/14/07 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING GOING TO WORK THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW UP ON THE FREEWAY LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A STOP. *NM

WATER COLLECTS IN BLOWER CASE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, SHORTING OUT THE MOTOR DUE TO DEFECTIVE HVAC AIR INTAKE DESIGN. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF CONDENSATION WHILE DRIVING, LIMITING VISIBILITY. *JB

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING CAR TO FALL ON TIRE. PUNCTURED TIRE, RUINED STRUT AND BRAKE LINE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAY, HAD THIS TAKEN PLACE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IT WOULD HAVE EASILY KILLED OR INJURED EVERYONE IN THE CAR. THERE WAS NO INDICATION LEADING UP TO THIS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I AM FINDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE FORD TAURUS, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *NM

PUDDLE OF WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. BASED ON RESEARCH AVAILABLE ON WEB, FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

CAR WAS SITTING OUTSIDE FOR A WEEK WHILE ON VACATION (NOT BEING DRIVEN). UPON ARRIVING HOME, STARTED THE CAR BUT THE BLOWER WOULD NOT RUN. TROUBLESHOT IT DOWN TO THE BLOWER MOTOR. UPON REMOVAL OF THE BLOWER MOTOR, I FOUND 2 CUPS OF WATER, ALONG WITH SOME ICE CHUNKS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR. I REPLACED THE BLOWER RESISTOR AND THE BLOWER MOTOR, NOW IT WORKS. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE WAY MOISTURE CAN NOT ONLY GET IN, BUT THEN DRAIN DOWN TO AND COLLECT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR, CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT. *JB

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

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

HAVE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTORS ON A 2003 FORD TAURUS TWICE (PAID FOR TWICE AT A FORD REPAIR SHOP) AND IT HAS QUIT AGAIN - ALL WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. AFRAID TO LET THEM TRY AGAIN. *JB

2003 FORD TAURUS SES. FORD TSB 4-15-3, NHTSA #10011149. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILURE. MOISTURE CAUSES THE RESISTOR TO SHORT OUT. MOISTURE AND ELECTRICAL SHORT IS A FIRE HAZARD. RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR MUST BE REPLACED AND BLOWER MOTOR HOUSING MUST BE RESEALED. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN 2001, 2002, 2003, AND 2004 MODEL YEARS. DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS. *JB

DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR QUIT IN MY 2003 TAURUS. BEGAN BY ACTING SLUGGISH, WHEN WETNESS APPEARED ON FLOOR ASSUMED IT WAS DUE TO THE RAINY WEATHER BUT HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THIS IS AN ONGOING DESIGN DEFECT WHICH FORD HAS YET TO ADDRESS. HAVE RECEIVED 1 ESTIMATE ON COST TO REPLACE BLOWER FAN ONLY $264.00 RESISTOR ANOTHER $75.00 LOSS OF CAR FOR MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. HAVE NOT HAD REPAIRED YET BUT WILL REQUEST THAT OLD PARTS BE RETURNED TO ME. *JB

WATER LEAKED INTO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY WINDSHIELD AND SOAKED FRONT FLOOR AREA (AT LEAST 1 TO 2 QUARTS OF WATER) IT ALSO SHORTED OUT AND DESTROYED THE BLOWER MOTOR. DEALER INSTALLED NEW MOLDING AND AN ADDITIONAL RAIN HAT. CARE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. SO DEALER WOULD NOT HELP WITH COST. I WONDER IF IT WILL TAKE A FIRE FOR FORD TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. IF NEEDED CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH QUIT WORKING. IS DUE, AS I UNDERSTAND, TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN IN BLOWER MOTOR CASE WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO GET IN AND RUIN THE RESISTER SWITCH. EVENTUALLY BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH QUITS WORKING ALTOGETHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO DEFROST OR DEFOGGER WHICH AFFECTS VISIBILITY. THIS HAPPENS ACCORDING TO A GOOGLE SEARCH AND TSB# 031506 FREQUENTLY. FORD IN THE CASE OF THE 1996 CONTOUR GAVE A TEN YR. COVERAGE DUE TO SIMILAR PROBLEM. *NM

BEGAN NOTICING VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL OF 2003 FORD TAURUS LX. TOOK CAR TO ORIGINAL FORD DEALER 3-4 TIMES AND THE TIRES WERE BALANCED, BUT THE VIBRATION PERSISTED. ON THE LAST VISIT TO THIS DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW TIRES. SPENT $400 ON NEW TIRES AT AN INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALER, BUT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. WENT TO DIFFERENT FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE NEW TIRES WERE "OUT OF ROUND". THEY BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES, BUT THE VIBRATION STILL PERSISTS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 5 TIMES FOR STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND NOT STARTING ON ANY GIVEN DAY. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED EXCEPT THE CAR ITSELF. UPON THE LAST VISIT, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE STARTER AND THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. AFTER IT WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO LET ME KNOW IT WAS READY, I WENT UP THERE AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT ALSO. ANY INFORMATION ON EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG, WOULD BE NICE. I HAVE DRIVEN THEIR LOANER CAR MORE THAN THE CAR I BOUGHT! *NM

RAIN WATER IS SEEPING ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. APPARENTLY THIS WATER IS RAIN WATER THAT SOMEHOW LEAKS FROM THE FRONT INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR & THEN MAKES IT WAY INTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR. THERE IS NO PRIOR ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR CAUSING THIS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT FORD HAS PUBLISHED INTO IN ITS TECHNICAL BULLETINS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT IS HAPPENING TO MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE BLOWER MOTOR & RESISTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS ALSO CAN CAUSE SHORT CIRCUIT & POTENTIALLY ELECTRIC FIRE IN THE CAR. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT! OTHER FOLKS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED, PUNCTURING THE TIRE, AND FRACTURING THE SWAY BAR LINK. THE COIL SPRING, TIRE, SWAY BAR LINK AND STRUT WERE REPLACED.

2003 TAURUS SES-WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER INTO PASS. SIDE FLOOR. *NM

AS WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2003 TAURUS OWNERS, I ALSO HAVE WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPARTMENT FROM A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW. I ALSO REPLACED THE HEATER FAN WHICH I FOUND TO BE FULL OF WATER. I AM ALSO VERY, VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE IDEA THAT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND FORD WON'T MAKE IT RIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT HAVING THEIR FEET HELD TO THE FIRE BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR HAS OCCASIONALLY DONE WHAT IS CALLED A "NEUTRAL DROP". WHILE STARTING OUT FROM A STOP IN "DRIVE", THE TRANSMISSION HAS (ON THREE OCCASIONS) NOT ENGAGED UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS REACHED ABOUT 2000 RPM. THE RESULTANT EFFECT FROM THIS SURPRISE ENGAGEMENT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS THE FEELING OF HAVING SOMEONE RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, TESTS WERE RUN WITH NO ERROR CODES FOUND FOR ANY TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS. APPARENTLY THE COMPUTER'S MEMORY IS SELECTIVE. I USED TO HAVE A WIFE LIKE THAT. I'VE PURCHASED FIVE FORDS SINCE 1994 AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS DESIGN/MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS WITH ALL OF THEM. DO YOU THINK I'LL BUY ANOTHER ONE? I HAVE A LONG MEMORY, AND THAT'S IT FOR ME. *NM

NO WARNINGS....FORD TAURUS 2003 SES...58,000 MILES....TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD A REMANFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. TRADED CAR IN FOR A HYUNDAI THE SAME WEEK. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE COWLING AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ADDITIONALLY, THE RAINWATER LEAKED INTO THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER MOTOR WHICH SHORTED OUT AFTERWARDS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER LEAKED BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD, WHICH SHORTED OUT THE FAN TO THE COMPRESSOR. DUE TO THE FAN SHORTAGE, THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKS BY THE PASSENGER FLOOR.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER LEAKED ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD THROUGH THE BLOWER MOTOR VENTS CAUSING THE DEFROSTER/FOGGER BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON TWO OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHILE IDLING. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON/OFF PRIOR TO STALLING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH WENT OUT, PLUS WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. *NM

I HAVE A 1993 FORD TAURUS THAT LEAKED WATER FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH. THEN MY AC SWITCH WENT OUT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR AND SHORTED OUT. HE ALSO HAD A 1992 TAURUS THAT HE JUST REPAIED WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WILL NEED A NEW BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR. ALSO SOME KIND OF COWL IS NEEDED TO PREVENT THIS AGAIN. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD TAURUS SE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I TRIED TO MAKE A PHONE CALL HOME. AT THE TIME MY PHONE COULD NOT CONNECT, I RE-TRIED THE PHONE CALL MY PHONE MADE A CLICKING SOUND, SIMULTANEOUSLY MY DASH BOARD BLINKED OUT AND RESET TO ALL THE WRONG INFORMATION. WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED MY VEHICLE EVERYTHING RESET CORRECTLY. I CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID IT WAS A VOLTAGE SPIKE. I THEN TALKED TO A GOOD FRIEND IN THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPT. AT A COMPETITOR. HE TOLD ME THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF CELL PHONE SIGNALS WILL INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SOME VEHICLES. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE THIS A BIT MORE SERIOUSLY BECAUSE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THIS MODEL TAURUS HAS, IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *JB