2003 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. MAKING LEFT HAND TURN WHEN COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION / RESEARCH. *TR

IN MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SEL (24V DOHC 3.0L) I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT ASSEMBLY. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. I STILL HAVE THE OLD SPRING (IT HAS BEEN CUT INTO SEVERAL PIECES TO FACILITATE REMOVING IT FROM THE VEHICLE). IN ADDITION TO THE COIL SPRING DESTROYED WAS A GOODYEAR EAGLE GT P215/60R16 95V. THIS TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACE BY MY TIRE DEALER AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

I HAD MY 2003 FORD TAURUS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL GARAGE ON FRIDAY, JULY 31ST. 2009 IN AMBLER, PA. I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY SWAY BARS REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AND MY CAR PASSED ITS STATE INSPECTION. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5TH, 2009 AS MY WIFE BACKED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY WITH MY 1-YEAR OLD AND 2-YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR, THE FRONT, DRIVERSIDE TIRE SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING FAILED. THINKING IT WAS JUST A FLAT, I PREPARED TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE CAR. UPON REMOVING THE LUGNUTS, I REALIZED THE PROBLEM WAS MUCH MORE SERIOUS. THE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, RENDERING IT USELESS. (THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW, I HAD JUST PURCHASED THEM IN ORDER TO PASS MY STATE INSPECTION.) I WAS FORCED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE GARAGE THAT PERFORMED THE INSPECTION. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT I WAS FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *TR

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SES WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I NOTICED MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD GONE FLAT. BEHIND THE TIRE, I NOTICED THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE BROKEN END OF IT WAS FULLY GOUGED INTO THE SIDE OF MY TIRE. WITH THE COIL BROKEN, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND WILL HAVE TO GET BOTH COILS REPLACED (CAN'T REPLACE JUST ONE) AS WELL AS THE PLASTIC ARMS/ STRUTS, AND THE TIRE (APPROX $700 REPAIR). THE TIRE WAS ALMOST NEW AND THE CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH LESS THAN 120,000 MILES AND A CLEAN HISTORY, WITH REGULAR, SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. *TR

2003 FORD TAURUS LX -WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CEASED TO FUNCTION. THIS CAR HAD 40,500 MILES ON IT. I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY ACCIDENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES WERE TOTALLY WORN OUT. THIS AT JUST OVER 40,000 MILES! MY CAR IS IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND SAFETY CHECK EVERY 3,000 MILES AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE DETECTED. HOWEVER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR PUBLICITY REGARDING THIS. THIS WAS A $1300 FIX. *TR

2003 FORD TAURUS- BROKEN LEFT FRONT SPRING. TURNING AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE, AND CAUSING THE CAR TO COLLAPSE NEARLY TO THE GROUND. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 78,000 MILES OF NORMAL ROAD DRIVING. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT IT ENDED WITH 2001 VEHICLES. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM DID NOT END WITH THE 2001 VEHICLES AND CERTAINLY WAS NOT CORRECTED THROUGH AT LEAST 2003, PERHAPS LONGER. THE REPAIR EXPENSE SHOULD BE ON FORD. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND NOT MY FAULT OR BECAUSE OF WEAR. MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT IF I HAD BEEN DOING 55 MPH OR 65 MPH. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PERHAPS EVEN DEATH. WHEN WILL THE OTHER SIDE BREAK? RESEARCH INDICATES THAT IT MAY VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN. I'M VERY, VERY CONCERNED AND CONSTANTLY WORRIED WHEN I DRIVE. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I BEGAN TO PROCEED INTO THE INTERSECTION (APPROX. 5 MPH) WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. LUCKILY BECAUSE I HAD JUST BEGUN TO ACCELERATE (THANKFULLY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY), I WAS ABLE TO SOMEWHAT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT FROM BEING SLICED OPEN BY A BROKEN COIL SPRING. *TR

WAS MOVING CAR INTO GARAGE AND COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. *TR

A/C HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SHORTOUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION ON THE WINDOWS. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, BUT THEN SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST, WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLEARED OFF THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR POSSIBLY FAILED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE AS RUST WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 127,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,800. UPDATED 08/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

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

HEATER A/C FAN ON MY 2003 FOR TAURUS HAS STOPPED WORKING SEEMS FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS PARTICULAR CAR WILL FOG UP FRONT WINDOW UNLESS DEFROSTER IS RUN. PROBLEM IS LEAKING WATER INTO FAN AREA, FUNNY FORD HAS A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

A WATER LEAK FROM THE FIREWALL WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CARPET BECAME SOAKED AFTER DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. THE PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE THERE IS MOLD UNDER THE CARPET. *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

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

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.

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR RESISTOR FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE FOURTH REPAIR, THE DEALER REALIZED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE FAN MOTOR WHICH CAUSED THE RESISTOR TO FAIL. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR AND THE WINDSHIELD FOR $500. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTED AND THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE TRANSMISSION SURGED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RELATED TSB (TSB 018746, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 68,100.

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

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 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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT IT WAS A FAULTY COIL SPRING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS LUCKY AND THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY COIL SPRING. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SUSPENSION FAILURE AND THAT THE COIL SPRING DAMAGED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT ASKED HAS THE DEALER IF HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE AND HE STATED THAT HE HAD JUST NOT TO A VEHICLE THAT WAS SO YOUNG. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HER DEFECTS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ADDITIONAL FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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 THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD, BUT THE BATTERY WAS OKAY. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND SAID I NEEDED TO CALL THE SERVICE CENTER BACK TO FIND ANOTHER REPAIR CENTER TO HAVE THE WATER LEAK CHECKED OUT. I HAD TO GO ANOTHER DAY CLEANING WATER OUT OF THE CAR AND BUYING AIR FRESHENERS TO RID THE CAR OF A NASTY MILDEW SMELL. THURSDAY, MAY 21ST I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER AGAIN AND TOLD THEM WHAT REPAIRS I HAD RECEIVED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED AND ANY ROAD CONDITION, THE CONTACT WOULD OBSERVE AN UNUSUAL SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SYNCHRONIZER SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SHE WAS ADVISED THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 87,200.

2 TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 2005 AT 68,000 MILE AND THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 121,000 MILES. HAD TO PAY TO HAVE FIXED AND WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID THEY ARE SORRY BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN HELP ME WITH. IS IT TRADITIONAL FOR A TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT EVERY 60,000 + MILES? I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES A HOUR WHEN THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WENT AND THE CAR REVVED UP AND WOULDN'T GO NO WHERE AND ALMOST GO REARENDED BECAUSE THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ON HIGHWAY AND NO WHERE'S TO PULL OVER. I ALSO HAD MY GRANDSON AND DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND WE ALL WERE SCARED THAT WE WHERE GOING TO GET HIT. *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

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

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

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.

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

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG AND THEN AIR LEAKING. I DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SPRING, STABILIZER LINK, STRUT AND TIRE. WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS, BOTH STABILIZER LINKS, BOTH STRUTS AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. *TR

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 CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WARMED UP HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE ISSUE DID NOT PERSIST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 MILES.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 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 # 04-15-3 TO RESOLVE IT. THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR MUST BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD COWL (WHICH APPARENTLY WARPS FROM THE SUN AND HEAT) AND AN ADDITIONAL PIECE OF RUBBER MOLDING INSTALLED ON THE RAIN HAT OVER THE CABIN AIR FILTER. ADDITIONALLY AN AREA NEAR THE OVER THE CABIN AIR FILTER MUST BE SILICONE CAULKED AND SOME FOAM INSULATION REMOVED FOR PROPER DRAINAGE. I REPEAT THE ABOVE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL. *TR