Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITH OUT PUSHING THE GAS. EVEN WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE RPM WILL NOT GO DOWN TO 0 IT WILL STAY ABOVE THE 1. THE CAR NEVER COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR IS ALWAYS ACCELERATING EVEN WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO MOVE THE STRUT ASSEMBLY BROKE THE SPRING WENT THRU THE TIRE MULTIPLE TIMES.A 90,000 MILE TIRE THAT ONLY HAD 1900 MILES ON THEM. I AM THE ONE OWNER OF THIS CAR WITH REG MAINTENANCE WITH NO WARNING OR PREVENTION OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR
I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION, GOING TO A GAS PUMP, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS REVVED UP AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE GAS PUMP AND INSTEAD WENT OVER A RAMP WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO GO AIRBORNE. I WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND HIT A POLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED ENOUGH DAMAGE ON THE CAR FOR THE CAR TO COME TO AN ABRUPT AND COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS ON 2003 FORD TAURUS REGARDING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS/ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE FOR MY INCIDENT TO BE PART OF THE INVESTIGATION. *TR
HAD CAR IN SHOP FOR A/C PROBLEMS. MECHANIC (WHITEHILL AUTO AND BODY) THEY HAD ANOTHER 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH A FRAME (PART OF FRAME) THAT WAS BEING REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUSTING THROUGH. HE SAID THAT OUR FRAME WAS ALSO STARTING TO RUST. HE SAID THEY HAD CONTACTED FORD AND IT WAS NOT LISTED ON ANY RECALL. *TR
AN ON COMING CAR LOST CONTROL AND SWERVED INTO MY DAUGHTERS LANE OF TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND T-BONED THE OTHER CAR. UPON IMPACT, THE OTHER CAR WAS SPLIT IN 2. MY DAUGHTERS AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY HER AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHEN I CALL THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE "NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED THEY WOULD NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER." THANKFULLY EVERYONE WALKED AWAY. MY DAUGHTER HAS A CONCUSSION AND BRUISED RIBS FROM THE ACCIDENT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD CONSIDER LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE IS IF I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (OUR INSURANCE TOTALED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE DAMAGE) AND THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHE HAD REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,100.
AFTER DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING THE BRAKE (THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATION TURNED OFF), THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STAY AT THE PREVIOUSLY SET SPEED. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH HAD NO EFFECT. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED APPLYING HEAVY BRAKING UNTIL THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR AND PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IGNITION. ALL THE WHILE THE CAR WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE BACK UP TO 55 MPH (THE PREVIOUSLY SET CRUISE CONTROL SPEED). THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THAT TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE. I ALSO LATER LEARNED TO BRIEFLY PRESS AND RELEASE THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WHICH WORKED EVERY TIME. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 FORD TAURUS, WITH 66K THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS HEADED FOR HOME WITH MY GRAND KIDS WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATION INCREASED AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. LUCKY SHE WASN'T ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A WIDE SPOT IN THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS HAD SHE BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION OR PASSING ON A TWO LANE ROAD. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. AFTER THIS HAPPENED I RESEARCHED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME YEAR TAURUS AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY! I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND INTEND TO REPORT THIS TO FORD AND THE AUTO SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I ALSO INTEND TO MAKE A POST ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND SUGGEST OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM DO THE SAME. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TOWED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A GARAGE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR COIL SPRINGS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000. UPDATED 04/02/14*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED THROTTLE WILL SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GROMMET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 117,000.
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
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
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
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND DOING SOME ROUTINE SERVICE , OIL CHANGE , BRAKE INSPECTION ETC. NOTICED THAT THE REAR BODY MOUNTS ON THE SUBFRAME HAD RUST ROT. AND LOOKING OVER THE REST OF THE SUBFRAME NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE FRONT MOUNT OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES WERE ROTTED OUT COMPLETELY. THE REPAIR WORK IS MORE THAN WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR. I CAN'T EVEN PUT THE CAR ON THE ROAD. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD THE SUBFRAME SHOULDN'T BE ROTTED OUT LIKE THIS.FORD SHOULD GIVE SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
OCT 2012 BOUGHT MY FORD TAURUS 2003. IN NOVEMBER AS I DROVE HOME AT 3 AM AT 55 MPH THE CARS DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL FLASHED ACROSS MY DASH THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR STALLED. I SAT FOR APPROX 15 RESTARTED CAR AND GOT IT HOME. THE NEXT MORN THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. PURCHASED BATTERY. CAR RAN FINE FOR A YEAR THEN CHANGED COILS IN OCTOBER 2013. ION NOVEMBER I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN DASH AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO A DRIVEWAY BEFORE GETTIN HIT BY 2 CARS. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE I CHARGED BATTERY CHECK THE ALTERNATOR. NEXT DAY CAR WAS STARTED 3 TIMES. THE FOURTH TIME NO GO. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. OR SHALL I SAY DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CALLED NEXT DAY TO TELL ME IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY THEY HAVE CHARGED IT FOR AN HOUR. I LET THE CAR SIT THERE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN CALLED BACK, THEY THEN SAID MY NEG TERM TO MY BATTERY WASN'T CONNECTED.. AND THE CAR IS NOW FIXED, THE CAR HAS SAT AT DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS. IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND DON'T WANT MY FOUR KIDS IN THAT DEATH TRAP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE TIRE CHANGED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, SHE NOTICED THAT THE SUB-FRAME HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT MY VIN WAS NEVER ENTERED. THEREFORE A NOTICE WAS NEVER SENT OUT TO RECALL THE VEHICLE. FORD RANDALL REED AND REYNOLDS FORD IN OKLAHOMA CITY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP CONFIRMED MY CAR CAME FROM THE PLANT THAT HAD THE RECALL AND THAT THERE WAS NEVER A REPAIR/NOTICE BECAUSE THE VIN HADN'T BEEN ENTERED. THEY GAVE ANOTHER PHONE NUMBER, BUT THAT NUMBER ONLY SPEAKS TO DEALERSHIPS. MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. MY MECHANIC IS [XXX]AT MIDAS ON NW 23RD PHONE: [XXX] FORD HAS BEEN GIVING HIM THE RUN-AROUND, BUT HE IS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF MY VIN NOT BEING REPORTED. THE RECALL WENT OUT IN APRIL 2004T HE CAMPAIGN # 04V106000. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. RECALL ID # 41871 - EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH HIDE DETAILS RECALL DATE: MAR 02, 2004 MODEL AFFECTED: 2003 FORD TAURUS SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. CONSEQUENCES: IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATE
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT MY VIN WAS NEVER ENTERED AND NOTICE WAS EVER SENT OUT TO RECALL THE VEHICLE.I HAD PROBLEMS WITH INSURANCE BECAUSE OF THE VIN, MAYBE THE VIN SHOULD BE [XXX]. FORD RANDALL REED AND REYNOLDS FORD IN OKLAHOMA CITY REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP CONFIRMED MY CAR CAME FROM THE PLANT THAT HAD THE RECALL AND THAT THERE WAS NEVER A REPAIR/NOTICE BECAUSE THE VIN HADN'T BEEN ENTERED. THEY GAVE ANOTHER PHONE NUMBER, BUT THAT NUMBER ONLY SPEAKS TO DEALERSHIPS. MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. MY MECHANIC IS [XXX]AT MIDAS ON NW 23RD PHONE: [XXX]FORD HAS BEEN GIVING HIM THE RUN-AROUND, BUT HE IS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF MY VIN NOT BEING REPORTED. THE RECALL WENT OUT IN APRIL 2004 THE CAMPAIGN # 04V106000. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. RECALL ID # 41871 - EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH HIDE DETAILS RECALL DATE: MAR 02, 2004 MODEL AFFECTED: 2003 FORD TAURUS SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. CONSEQUENCES: IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPMS ABNORMALLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE ENGINE ROARED LOUDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107, 000. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ UPDATED 12/6/2013 *JS
CAR WOULD NOT STOP IT SEEM ADS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ABOUT 6PM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I MADE A LEFT TURN AND ENGINE REVVED AS HIT THE GAS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED. I COASTED TO THE LEFT TURN MEDIAN. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, I PUT IN REVERSE THEN IN DRIVE AND NO RESPONSE. I TURN MY HAZARDS LIGHTS ON. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE IN THE BACK BY OTHER TURNING CARS WHO COULD SEE ME UNTIL THEY COMPLETED THEIR TURN. I CALLED THE POLICE AND HE PUSHED MY CAR WITH HIS CRUISER 4 LANES OVER TO GET TO SIDE THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. TWO MECHANICS ADVISED ME OF A NEW/REBUILT TRANSMISSION. A THIRD MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT IT IS LIKELY THE TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT THERE WAS A 'SHUDDER' FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. PARK WILL WORK (NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT) BUT CAR WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR SELECTION (R, OD, D, D1). MECHANIC STATES THAT IT IS PROBABLY STRIPPED SPLINES TO TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS AN APPARENT KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN HEAVER TRAFFIC OR AN INTERSECTION OR INTERSTATE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PULL OVER THIS IS AN ACCIDENT (FATAL) WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET IS UNEXPLAINABLE AS THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND IS KNOWN TO MECHANICS. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AND THE TRANSMISSION RESPONDED AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000..... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF UPDATED 10/24/2013 *JS
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND AS MADE MY TURN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE PLACE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. I HAD NO WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV. THANKFULLY I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND AM WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE DAMAGE IS. *LN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 10/30/2013 *JS
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AFTER APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TAIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN ANY GEAR OTHER THAN PARK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
2003 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOVEMENT, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 11/20/13
THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN SENDING CODE 2-4 UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THEN AFTER A FEW TIMES OF BLINKING THIS CODE, IT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THIS APPARENTLY RENDERS THE AIRBAGS NON-OPERABLE & ACCORDING TO ONLINE POSTS, THIS IS CAUSED BY CORROSION IN A COMPONENT. *TR
THE VINYL COVER ON ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS HAVE COME LOOSE, ONE FALLING COMPLETELY OFF. *TR
THE INTERIOR GAUGE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. SOME REMAIN ON BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE THE SPEED, GASOLINE LEVEL, ETC. DUE TO THE BLOWN LIGHTS. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AS YOU CANNOT SEE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
A WATER LEAK WHICH DUMPED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. FORD WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL BUT WILL FIX IT FOR $550 REPLACING THE BLOWER MOTOR,BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE LEAK THAT THEY SAID WAS COMING FROM A "RAIN CAP" ON THE WINDSHIELD. I LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
PREMATURE RUSTING OF WHEEL WELLS. *TR
FORD TAURUS 2003 SES, ENGINE 3.0L CAR WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 28, 2011. LEFT SIDE ELECTRICAL ALONG WITH COMPONENTS OF THE TURN SIGNAL SNAP BACK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THIS SAFETY FEATURE MADE FOR VEHICLES. ON 06/15/2011 THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE WENT OUT AND REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. DURING THE DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS FROM A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 20 MILES I EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACED BRAKE CALIPER BOLT CAME LOOSE AND WAS LOST ALONG THE HIGHWAY. ON 07/19/2011 AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE A/C COMPRESSOR HAD FAILED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING ROUGHLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS BLOWING HOT, BRAKES GRINDING, TRANSMISSION FLARE SHIFTING 2-3 SHIFT. REPAIR SHOP STATED SLIPPING AT 30MPH AND STATED REBUILT TRANSMISSION. DURING A WEEK PERIOD AROUND 07/22/2011 THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AGAIN AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE INSTALLED. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AROUND 30MPH AND AC WAS STILL BLOWING HOT. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT DURING THIS TIME FRAME DUE TO FLARE SHIFT 2-3 SHIFT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SHOP EACH TIME. 08/17/2011 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT, GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATE AND BRAKE, A/C BLOWS HOT. ON 08/31/2011 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, STATED NEED TO REPLACE ALL ELECTRONICS IN TRANSMISSION, ONE OR MORE SOLENOIDS ARE DEFECT. 09/12/2011 ODOMETER 112
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
MY 2003 FORD TAURUS WAGON RPM'S REV UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE CAR TO SPUTTER, HARD LURCHES FORWARD AND DIE WHEN STOPPING, USUALLY IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING, ALSO THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT RELEASE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR UP, IT REV'S TO 2000 RPM AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO IDLE DOWN TO 1000 BEFORE SHIFTING OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE. IF I AM DRIVING AT SPEED OF 30MPH OR MORE, I CAN TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WILL MAINTAIN THE EXACT SPEED ON ITS OWN FOR MILES, SOMETIMES EVEN SPEEDING UP 10 MORE MPH. IF I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, STILL NOT PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL DECREASE ITS SPEED BY ABOUT 10MPH, CONSEQUENTLY IF I TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER THE CAR WILL SPEED UP ABOUT 10 MORE MPH'S. I HAVE HAD THE WAGON IN THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TWICE, ONE WAS AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, THE LAST WAS A FORD DEALERSHIP. BETWEEN THE TWO SHOPS I HAVE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND NEITHER ONE COULD DIAGNOSE OR FIX MY PROBLEM. IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR AT STOPS AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT WITH MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR BUT BEING A SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO OUTSIDE HELP, OUR LIVES DEPEND ON THE WAGON AND I HAVE NO MORE FINANCES TO TRY A SHOP AGAIN. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR COULD YOU ADD MY PROBLEM TO YOUR DATABASE TO SEE IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS MY PROBLEM, MAYBE THEY CAN TELL ME WHAT FIXED THEIRS, THANK YOU! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
COIL SPRINGS HAD SNAPPED AND RIPPED OPEN INSIDE OF A BRAND NEW TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.OUR DAUGHTER NOTICED A FLAT TIRE SO SHE WENT TO CHANGE IT AND TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THIS. SO WE THOUGHT MAYBE THE TIRES WERE ON RECALL. I CHECKED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT A LOT OF '03 FORD TAURUS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE COILS SNAPPING BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE '03'S. BUT THERE WAS ON '01-'02 TAURUS,APPARENTLY SAME PROBLEM BUT FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND PRODUCT.YET TODAY I SEE A RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE FOR '03 TAURUS DUE TO DEADLY ACCIDENTS. ANOTHER ITEM I NEED TO GET FIXED.THOUGHT WE BOUGHT A RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR A COLLEGE KID THAT PUTS ON TONS OF MILES. SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD BUT THANKFUL THIS WAS NOT A TRAGEDY. *TR
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
MINNESOTA: FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 15 MPH. REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRING, STRUT ASSEMBLIES. COST: $1183.20 INCLUDED ALIGNMENT + NEW TIRE INSTALL + BALANCING. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. $COST NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR
MINNESOTA: TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER COMPLETELY FAILED. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM STANDING POSITION. PARK IS ONLY GEAR THAT WORKED, ALL OTHERS WERE LIKE NEUTRAL. NO FORWARD NOR BACKWARD MOTION WHEN IN R OR D. REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH REBUILT. COST: $2550.24. *TR
AS I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CURB TO GO TO WORK MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED AS IF I HAD SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE. THEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. I TRIED TO BACK UP BACK TO THE CURB BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE. A NEIGHBOR CAME TO CHANGE THE TIRE BUT COULDN'T GET IT OFF. THEN A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING FELL ONTO THE ROAD AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REST OF THE SPRING IS IN THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE SPRING. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND IT NEVER GAVE ME ANY INDICATION THAT THE SPRING WAS GOING TO BREAK SUCH AS BOUNCING, ETC. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN BARRELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE? NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT EVEN IF I MANAGE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED! I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. MAYBE THERE IS A PRODUCT PROBLEM?? *TR
WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND I ALMOST CRASHED INTO A RETENTION POND.CANNOT DRIVE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE! NO MONEY AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON ONLY S.S. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,493. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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