2003 Ford Taurus problems
Owners have filed 1,524 complaints about the 2003 Ford Taurus with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 21.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 20.9%.
Complaints1,524
Crashes78
Fires20
Injuries76
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Suspension 21.7% · 331
Power train 20.9% · 319
Visibility 13.5% · 206
Structure 7.3% · 111
Electrical system 6.6% · 100
Vehicle speed control 5.9% · 90
Engine and engine cooling 4.4% · 67
Air bags 3.2% · 49
Severity
Of those complaints, 78 describe a crash, 20 describe a fire, 76 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Taurus in this data, 2003 sits 4th by complaint volume. 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 27 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 78,182 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 mph the contact heard a loud noise and drove the vehicle onto the emergency lane. Upon examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side coil spring fractured and pierced the tire. A spare tire was installed and the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 133,050. Suspension · reported at 133,050 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While reversing from a parking space at 2 mph, he heard a loud pop and the front driver tire went flat. He attempted to change the tire and noticed the coil spring was fractured in three parts. The coil spring punctured the tire and caused it to become flat. There was not a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,156. Suspension · reported at 80,156 miles
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. Suspension · reported at 55,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…