Complaints
1,524
Crashes
78
Fires
20
Injuries
76
Fatalities
3
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1169 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:106,058 mi
Crash-related:2
#2147 complaints
Suspension:Front
Avg mileage:98,911 mi
#3136 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:83,048 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 169 | 2 | — | 106,058 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 147 | — | — | 98,911 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 136 | — | — | 83,048 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 86 | — | — | 57,537 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 82 | 6 | 1 | 103,807 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 79 | — | 1 | 57,529 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 77 | 1 | 1 | 101,669 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 75 | — | 5 | 84,116 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 74 | 1 | 1 | 88,352 mi | |
| Visibility | 52 | — | 1 | 75,577 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 36 | 2 | — | 69,860 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 33 | — | — | 54,916 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 30 | — | 1 | 130,939 mi | |
| Airbags | 26 | 22 | — | 81,888 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 23 | — | 2 | 103,000 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 23 | 1 | 2 | 55,696 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 22 | 1 | — | 77,685 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 22 | — | — | 58,020 mi | |
| Brakes | 21 | 3 | — | 109,472 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 | 15 | — | 56,609 mi | |
| Body Structure | 17 | 2 | 1 | 81,275 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 16 | 2 | — | 65,644 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | — | — | 39,275 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 12 | — | — | 71,000 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 12 | 4 | — | 43,227 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | 1 | — | 107,050 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 9 | — | — | 69,400 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 9 | 1 | — | 88,395 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 8 | — | 1 | 54,000 mi |
Transmission / Drivetrain
169
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,058
Suspension:Front
147
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,911
Automatic Transmission
136
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,048
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
86
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,537
Unintended Acceleration
82
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
103,807
Structural Problems
79
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
57,529
Suspension Failures
77
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,669
Electrical Faults
75
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
84,116
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
74
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
88,352
Visibility
52
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,577
Engine & Cooling
36
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,860
Visibility:Windshield
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,916
Headlight/Taillight Failures
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
130,939
Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,888
Engine Problems
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
103,000
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
55,696
Suspension:Rear
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,685
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,020
Brakes
21
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,472
Air Bags:Frontal
18
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,609
Body Structure
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
81,275
Tire Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,644
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,275
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,000
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,227
Steering Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,050
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,400
Gasoline Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,395
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
2003 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2003 Ford Taurus has 1,524 NHTSA complaints, 78 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 169 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (169 complaints, avg 106,058 mi); Suspension:Front (147 complaints, avg 98,911 mi); Automatic Transmission (136 complaints, avg 83,048 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 85,273 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Ford Taurus include 78 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 76 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Ford Taurus?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (transmission / drivetrain) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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