2003 Ford Taurus

Family: Taurus · filed with NHTSA as TAURUS

Summary

In its first three years the 2003 Taurus drew 130 complaints — 0.7× the median of its generation (2000–2007). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Powertrain, holds 26% of the 1,213 that name a component.
4 recalls filed for this model year.
4 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 1,223
Recalls: 4
Investigations: 4
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 19–21
Annual fuel cost: $2,950–$3,300
Median mileage at complaint: 78,000 mi (n = 1,059)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 56 / 12 / 59 / 2

What owners report

Powertrain

316 complaints · 26% of complaints that name a component · median 87,000 mi (n = 290)

Owner report The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when taking the vehicle out of the park(P) after starting the vehicle, which required the brake pedal to be depressed, the contact could not depress the shifter button out of the park. The contact stated that the shift button would not depress. The contact st…

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WHILE SWITCHING GEARS THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER FORSOM LAKE FORD(12755 FOLSOM BLVD,…

Suspension

313 complaints · 26% of complaints that name a component · median 85,000 mi (n = 296)

Owner report I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN FTHE AIR WWNT OUT OF MY TIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE REAL. ONCE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED IT REVEALED A LARGE GASH IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE AS A RESULT BROKEN COIL.

Owner report DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. VEHICLE WAS THANKFULLY PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS A RECALL NO. 04V332000, FOR 1999-2001 MODELS - CURIOUS WHY IT STOPPED THERE? MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THIS ISSUE CONTINUED PAST 2001. PHOTOS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.

Windows, Wipers & Visibility

196 complaints · 16% of complaints that name a component · median 57,000 mi (n = 165)

Owner report LEAKING WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, BLOWER MOTOR QUIT WORKING FLOOR IS STARTING TO MOLD MULTIPLE WORK BAGS SATURATED WITH MOLDY WATER. TOLD TO REFERENCE EXISTING RECALL 03V087000 AND COMPLAINT 10184014

Owner report MY 2003 TAURUSES WINDSHIELD LEAKS. I CHECKED THE RECALLS AND IT SHOWS A RECALL #03C03 FOR MY CAR, BUT WHEN I ENTER MY VIN#[XXX] AND IT SHOW ZERO FOR RECALLS. I'M NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ,BUT THAT SHOULDN'T MATTER IN A THIS CASE. WHEN MY WIFE OR I ARE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN THE WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE …

1% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2000–2007)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 178.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2000	1,195	340	most complaints
2001	1,037	214
2002	1,426	143
2003	1,223	130
2004	375	48	not compared
2005	774	47	not compared
2006	318	33	not compared
2007	149	25	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

16E026000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

Filed 2016-04-01 · 49,635 vehicles

Defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

04V105000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Filed 2004-03-02 · 399,926 vehicles

Defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.

Risk: THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V106000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Filed 2004-03-02 · 938,789 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: 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 ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V087000 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Filed 2003-03-10 · 67,894 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.

Risk: POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
PE12033	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES	2012-10-24	2013-06-26
EA08018	SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS	2008-08-28	2011-06-30
DP06005	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY	2006-12-04	2007-12-28
RQ03008	EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS	2003-10-23	2004-03-05	04V106000

PE12033: Speed control cable damage

EA08018: Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

DP06005: ENGINE STALLING FFV

RQ03008: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Taurus	3.0L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	18	26	21	$2950
Taurus	3.0L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	18	25	21	$2950
Taurus	3.0L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	17	25	20	$3100
Taurus Wagon	3.0L 6cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	17	24	19	$3300
Taurus Wagon	3.0L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 4-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	17	24	19	$3300

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated
2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated
2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR.	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 64 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2020-07-13	STRUCTURE	This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint wi…
2019-02-07	STRUCTURE	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2019-02-07	STRUCTURE	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Fo…
2013-06-21	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES	FORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPEED CONTROL CABLE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE AND CAN DISCONNECT DURING HOOD MAINTENANCE AND ALSO INTERFERE WITH FULL THROTTLE RETURN TO IDLE AFTER RELEASING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MODELS 20…
2006-01-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT
2005-11-14	LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	POWER LOCK CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT
2005-11-14	VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS	POWER WINDOW CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT
2005-11-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	BUCK/JERK AND MISS DURING DRIVE CYCLE ABOVE 3000 RPM - NO DTC - 3.0L 2V GAS AND FFV ENGINE. *TT
2005-07-01	FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER	MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH OR LEAN). *TT
2005-06-07	SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Taurus, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Taurus model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.