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CarComplaints.com Notes: Most people need a car that shifts gears & coil springs that don't shred tires. The Taurus fails in that respect.

The 2003 Ford Taurus has major issues with the transmission failing. Typically the 2003 Taurus transmission failure costs $2,000 to fix by about 90k-100k miles. Not good.

Adding insult to injury, the 1999-2003 Taurus also has a huge problem with coil springs breaking which can puncture or even shred tires while driving.

The US government spent THREE YEARS (2008-2011) investigating the 2002-2003 Taurus coil springs. Although Taurus/Sable from earlier years were recalled, ultimately the NHTSA did not force a recall. They determined that because there had been no deaths & very few bad crashes & injuries, the broken coil springs defect was no big deal & not a safety defect. Tell that to all the owners who had close calls...

6.2

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$270
Average Mileage:
75,450 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. bought new parts, got the tsb, follwed the directions (2 reports)
  3. please see tsb 04-15-3 (2 reports)
  4. replaced fan blower resistor (1 reports)
2003 Ford Taurus AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

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2003 Ford Taurus Owner Comments

problem #10

Jul 012011

Taurus LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My AC would only work on high. I researched the issue and found it too be the fan blower resistor. Picked the part up at Auto Zone for about $15. When I was replacing it there was water in the area. Replaced it and fan worked on all speeds. 2 months later and it's working on high only again.

- Jerri S., Bedford, TX, US

problem #9

Jan 012009

Taurus S 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

Very frustrating having to only have air on one setting, high!

- redberry1977, Columbus, GA, US

problem #8

Sep 092009

Taurus 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

hood vents allow water to enter the blower motor..ford knows ..they will sell you the part to fix it for 40bux..it is a small piece of weather stripping you can buy at Home Depot for 2 bux...

- Randy S., Milford, OH, US

problem #7

Sep 212008

Taurus SE 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just like a previous writer, I discovered a large puddle on the floor of the front passenger side. We had rain the previous day, but have had a lot of rain for the past several months, an never saw water inside the car.

Immediately after this I tried to put on the defroster and the fan will not turn on. If I put on the heat or AC without the fan, I can feel heat or cold coming out of the vents.

Haven't taken it in to be looked at, would like to know others experience with this......don't want to be lead in the wrong direction.

- fiorentino, Oxford, MA, US

problem #6

Aug 282008

Taurus SE Dohc V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

Fan motor only works on high setting. Following a heavy rain I found water, a lot of water, in the passenger floor. Two days later my wife reported the problem with the fan. It appears others have had a similar problem. I am looking for a solution and found the information here helpful. I will at least know what to be aware of if I end up taking the vehicle to the dealer.

- Mike C., Forest City, NC, US

problem #5

Mar 212008

Taurus SES 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

This car has been really good up to this point just started blower only working on high. This is really annoying. I think it is the resistor, as other cars have this problem... Why is ford not making this right ? It seems many have had this same problem. sounds like recall material..

- Jason C., Point Marion, PA, US

problem #4

Nov 232007

Taurus SES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm having the exact same problem out of my Taurus. The heater would only work on hight then stopped all together making it a hazard to be on the road at that time. However, I was an HOUR away from home in the rain! I can't seem to get any help from Ford but I was referred to two sites that helped me file complaints. Maybe if we all did this it would get some attention? One is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since you can't see if you are using the defrost and the other is a lawyer office.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/Ford%20Taurus%20cowl%20leak.htm

I'm also contacting the Attorney General's office to see if there is any help there as well.

- cheenie1, Charleston, WV, US

problem #3

Aug 282007

(reported on)

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I'm so annoyed I could scream. When the car was 3 months old the fan motor stopped working except on high so I brought it back to the dealer. They SAID they repaired the problem, an area that allows water to run down under the cabin air filter blah blah blah. They replaced the motor, all was well. 3 years later, the cowling is warped from the sun allowing water to run down under the cabin air filter, ruining the resistor & the fan motor. Now they want $450 to fix it. I fixed it myself, with help from a friend, for $200 in parts. But I'm most annoyed that they didn't follow their own TSB instructions and install the rain hat and seal up the hole where the water gets in when I had the problem in the first place. This is not the only problem with this POS - never EVER EVER buying another Ford!

- JoAnne S., Enfield, CT, US

problem #2

Mar 082007

(reported on)

Taurus SE 3.2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

I need help on what wrong with my car. The speed setting works on high only. a/c and heat seatings

- John B., Powell, TN, US

problem #1

Nov 062006

(reported on)

Taurus SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

blower motor would work only on high. Did not fix and blower switch would not work at all. Problem was diagnosed as blower motor resistor failure. Just after motor quit working on all levels, except high, there was water on floor of passenger side. I feel this should be paid for by Ford as it evidently is a fairly common occurrence according to google search.

- thwelsr, Zearing, IA, US

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