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2003 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2003 Ford Taurus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Torque converter failure causing loss of drive.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2003 Ford Taurus.

Reported to NHTSA

Torque converter failure causing loss of drive

POWER TRAIN

52 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2021-08

“WHILE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM WORK (AT 6:40PM ON DEC 1ST, 2016) THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER ENGAGED. I HAD TO COAST OVER TO A FIELD AND PARK WHILE AVOIDING ON-GOING TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929790
“TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER - STRIPPED SPLINES. JUST 49,334 MILES. THIS CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. DEFINITELY A PROVEN BAD PART THAT FORD SHOULD COVER. THE CAR QUIT MOVING AT MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809581
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10545637

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front coil spring fracture puncturing tire

SUSPENSION

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2019-11

“ON ABOUT 15 JAN 2016, THE DRIVER'SIDE SIDE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE. WHEN IT BROKE IT PUNCTURED THROUGH DRIVER'SIDE SIDE FRONT TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10820828
“TRAVELING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) SUSPENSION SPRING COIL BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. REFERENCE: INVESTIGATION: #EA08018”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10606822
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10684008

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stop lamp switch failure preventing shift out of park

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

20 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2022-04

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT WORK; SPECIFICALLY THE VEHICLE STAYS "LOCKED" IN THE PARK SETTING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND REQUIRES ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014102
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SWITCH OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10851983
“I WOKE UP ON 7/19/14 TO FIND MY 2003 FORD TAURUSES BATTERY DEAD. THIS SEEMED STRANGE SINCE THE BATTERY WAS NEW AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. NOT SURE WHY MY BATTERY WAS DEAD, I JUMPED THE CAR AND DROVE SOMEWHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10615148

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Subframe and control arm corrosion

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2015-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10555549
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552438
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10712695

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration from stuck throttle cable

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

24 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2022-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10566315
“CAR ACCELERATED ITSELF AFTER RELEASING GAS PEDAL ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE RPM HIT ABOUT 4000. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKE. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897020
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575947

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failing to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2019-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10940115
“VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND IN THE OUTSIDE LANE OF A 4 LANE HWY. VEHICLE CHANGED LANES ABRUPTLY AND WENT LEFT OF THE CENTER OF ROADWAY ENTERING INTO THE NOURTHBOUND LANES OF TRAFFIC, CONTINUING IN A SOUTHBOUND DIRECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680433
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AT A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871055

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield water leak causing blower motor failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2017-04

“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, NHTSA ODI #10970544
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10745616
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BLOWER MOTOR EMITTED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10860395

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

651 crashes 1990–2024

How the 651 occupant deaths break down

502

driver deaths

149

passenger deaths

651

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

56

complaints mentioning a crash

12

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2003 Ford Taurus reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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