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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...

9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,930
Average Mileage:
93,200 miles
Total Complaints:
340 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (157 reports)
  2. not sure (81 reports)
  3. replace torque converter (37 reports)
  4. sitting in drive way trying to figure something out (33 reports)
  5. rebuilt the transmission replacing only failed parts (20 reports)
  6. scrap it! (5 reports)
2003 Ford Taurus transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Ford Taurus Owner Comments (Page 5 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #260

Nov 022012

Taurus SE 3.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 129,142 miles

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

I was supposed to go and do my errands my on november 2, 2012 at Los Angeles CA The transmission failed on that day. I immediately towed it to my house. the tow truck charged me $130 really awful..i called a mechanic and He took a brief look... checked axles... tranny fluid... and all appeared well. He may not get around to it this weekend . I goggled the incident and came across this site with over 200 identical complaints. Every post matches exactly what happened to me. I thought i knocked the shifter into neutral as i was driving but when i checked and seen i was still in Drive i knew it was bad. It is my only vehicle... and family vehicle. This incident could not have happened at a worse time. Seeing how common it is, I hope Ford owns up to their fault.

THIS SITUATION IS REALLY REALLY AWFUL AND CAN'T BELIEVE HOW IS POSSIBLE THAT FORD COMPANY MAKES REALLY THIS TYPES OF PART, THIS IS MY UNIQUE VEHICLE AND CAUSE ME SO MUCH STRESS, LEGALLY STRESS MEANS: A PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, OR EMOTIONAL FACTOR THAT CAUSES BODILY OR MENTAL TENSION. THERE IS MY CAR ON THE GARAGE WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM FORD I HOPE THEY REPLY TO ME ASAP,

- Nivardo A., Paramount, CA, US

problem #259

Sep 162012

Taurus 4d

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

Driving on freeway and the motor reved up. Got off freeway because we were losing power. Coasted to a stop and put in park. None of the gears worked. Had to get a tow from AAA- they took forever.

- Terrie L., Burleson, TX, US

problem #258

Oct 102012

Taurus SES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

I was on my way to work and as made my turn the transmission would not engage. I was able to coast to a safe place, but was unable to move. I had no warning of any kind, the engine would just rev. Thankfully I was alone in the car and I was not on the highway.

I had to have it towed and am waiting to hear what the damage is.

Update from Oct 15, 2012: Cause was a stripped Tourque Converter, which cost (with towing) $1400. I have had several cars and never had something like this happen with out any warning. You would think that if it happened slowly there would have been some slippage shifting gears or acceleration. Like I stated above, one minute I was under normal power, then nothing.

- Cliff K., Royersford, PA, US

problem #257

Mar 082012

Taurus SEL 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

Well, I was on my way to work at 5:30am and with no warning at all and half way to work my F***ing TAURUS stopped moving. I have taken really good care of this car and planned on driving it for many years, it still smells like new and looks like new but sure doesn't drive like new. The car would not move at all, just started slowing down like it was in neutral. Ford needs to help people out if they plan on return customers, I really like the car but... not the problem. If people change their fluids regularly and can document it I don't see why FORD can't help out $$$$. FORD knew about the torque convertor problems and did nothing and also the pump problems and still no recalls. Boy, they sure did sell a lot of Taurus cars, maybe they had job security in mind for the dealerships ???

- madtaurusowner, Sterling Heights, MI, US

problem #256

Jul 152011

Taurus SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

had been having ongoing problems with the car "hiccuping"..hesitating when accelerating or letting off gas, & the amps would jump around..but had had car to the shop only about 2 weeks before for this problem. kept getting what they called "phantom codes" on the check engine light. my grandson died, & i went to a store to get flowers ordered for his funeral, came back out & tried to leave BUSY parking lot..got right in the middle of a steet there & car wouldn't move. no big noises,or grinding when putting in gear,or anything...just gone. cost nearly $2,800 to replace. this is a car i had bought brand new,& had maintained it specifically to manufacturer specifications. it only had 62,000 miles on it,& wasn;t driven hard at any point.

- Barb D., Lincoln, NE, US

problem #255

Jul 182012

Taurus LX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

The car worked fine earlier in the morning, later drove about 3 miles from home and the transmission stopped working in any gear, reverse or forward.. No sound was made.

- rlhenryjr, Beaumont, CA, US

problem #254

May 122012

Taurus SES 3.0L V6 Flex Fuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,100 miles

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

Bought this car April 13, 2012 and with no warning transmission failed on April 12,2012. Dealer would not give new transmission so we got a deal with the dealer to pay half for a new transmission since we would not take anything less than a new transmission. Definitely not the experience I hoped for from my first car. Car has failed 5 times on me within two months. Scared to drive the car now.

Update from Aug 8, 2012: Bought car April 13th. Transmission failed May 12th.

- Sarah W., Kdh, NC, US

problem #253

Oct 042011

Taurus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

It was pretty bad as my son had my granddaughter age 1 at the time and he had to walk most of he way home. I had just bought the car approx a month before, when all of a sudden it made a loud pop and quit running.

- samnde19940, Delmar, DE, US

problem #252

Feb 152012

Taurus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

This was the second time the transmission failed. This time I had traveled to pick up my husband from work. Stopped at a stop sign and it wouldn't go. Had to coast...

Update from Aug 20, 2012: This time I was on my way home from picking up my husband from work when I stopped at a stop sign and the car wouldn't move. Had to coast into a parking lot. called a tow truck. My sons are both mechanics and replaced the transmission that the auto dealer swapped out.

- samnde19940, Delmar, DE, US

problem #251

Aug 032012

Taurus SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 181,000 miles

I start my new job on Aug 6, 2012 at BNSF railroad in Fresno, CA. Fresno is a hour drive from where I'm located. The transmission failed on Aug 3, 2012, the Friday afternoon before my Monday morning start date. I immediately towed it to my mechanic who was wrapping up for the day. He took a brief look... checked axles... tranny fluid... and all appeared well. He may not get around to it this weekend so now I'm stressing starting my new job. I googled the incident and came across this site with over 200 identical complaints. Every post matches exactly what happened to me. I thought i knocked the shifter into neutral as i was driving but when i checked and seen i was still in Drive i knew it was bad. It is my only vehicle... and family vehicle. This incident could not have happened at a worse time. Seeing how common it is, I hope Ford owns up to their fault.

- sdfsdf123, Visalia, CA, US

problem #250

Aug 012012

Taurus SES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

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

Just bought this car from next door neighbor 300 miles ago. Was going 30 mph., and all of the sudden it was like tranny was in neutral. Car wasn't hot, only put on 2 miles this day! Is this an easy fix? Hope it doesn't cost more to fix than I paid for the damn thing!! (well, it's not paid for yet, still owe them $1000!!!!)

- Rob R., Big Lake, MN, US

problem #249

Jul 112012

Taurus SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

While backing into a friends driveway, my transmission went. It slipped out of gear and never went back in. I have only had the car for 4 years and always kept up with the maintenance. Have not been able to get it fixed. Without a car presently. Riding my bike to work etc. Very inconvenient. Never would have purchased a ford taurus if I knew they had transmission problems. Not sure what to do at this point. Any help would be appreciated.

- Paul S., Pine City, NY, US

problem #248

Jun 262012

Taurus SES 3.0L Ohv

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Well my 2003 Taurus tranny failed, too. Initially I'd get an errant slip at highway speeds but then one hot summer day, instead of going right home after work, I ran some extra errands which obviously was the breaking point for her. While trying to pull through a very busy intersection I tried to accelerate and the tranny kept slipping. I barely made it but there was sure a lot of angry motorists "showing me the love." I was able to limp her home the next 6 miles or so much to the chagrin of those behind me. I checked the fluid...suspiciously high on the level. Sounds like a pump failure. I consulted a transmission shop and they urged me not to change the fluid at this point or it'll die immediately. So far it's okay for my quick commute to work but I'm getting it rebuilt next week. After it cools down it drives okay as long as I just accept the errant slips on the highway, Times are tough finacially right now and this is definitely not an expense I need. Frustrating putting over $2,000 in a car worth barely twice that but I cannot afford a better car at this point. It would be wonderful for Ford to acknowledge this problem for everyone.

- bigdanohh, Tulsa, OK, US

problem #247

Jun 152012

Taurus SE 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,000 miles

I GUESS THERE ARE MANY OF US WITH THIS PROBLEM. WAS DRIVING ALONG, SLOWED DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. JUST LIKE I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. CHECKED FLUID LEVEL, WAS FINE. THERE WAS NO NOISE, NO ADVANCED WARNING THAT TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT, NOTHING. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE. NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL.

- Jesse C., Fort Wayne, IN, US

problem #246

Jul 132012

Taurus SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

friday the 13th at 6pm on rt 1 in bumper 2 bumper traffic..nothing unusual with my car or the ride, until i pushed the gas pedal and nothing??? What?? It worked fine 1 second ago! I'm waiting for smoke,warning light,a noise.. its running but not driving. My boyfriend came and rescued me, he has a 2006 ford F150 and 2 times he has been driving down the hwy and the same thing happened to him..push gas pedal and nothing, only both times he restarted the truck and it drove fine. I fear mine needs a transmission operation, but, If its not a full trans problem, and just torque convertor i will report back.

- bettermiles2come, Langhorne, PA, US

problem #245

Jul 212012

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,847 miles

WAS ON OUR WAY HOME. ALL AT ONCE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE . WE HAD TO PUSH IT OFF ROAD AND WAIT FOR WRECKER.IT WAS MIDNIGHT. WAS 2 IN THE MORNING BEFORE WE GOT HOME. TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE . FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL 2003 FORD TAURUS CARS AND FIX TRANSMISSION.

- Harold P., Dewey, OK, US

problem #244

Jul 022012

Taurus SES 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,562 miles

I bought this car used with 83,000 miles in 2010. Had no major problems until the transmission just quit and left me stranded. Then I did some research and found out that this is a common problem with the 2003 Taurus. I was quoted $3000.00 to rebuild the transmission. I am going to put that $3000.00 as a down payment on a new car and it definitely won't be another Taurus.

- Guy P., East Stroudsburg, PA, US

problem #243

Jul 192012

Taurus

  • Manual transmission
  • 119,869 miles

I lost my job in November of 2010 and had to cash out part of my IRA to purchase a use car. I found a great looking 2003 FORD Taurus; a nice clean family car. On 10-06-11 we purchased it for $4,600 with 103,159 miles. Today, my husband and I were leaving to start a 10 day trip to my Mother's house in Michigan. 12 miles from home and without warning the car lost power. The RPMs soared but no power to the drive. We were able to coast safely off the freeway. Our mechanic informed us that it was the transmission. Outraged, we not only lost our vacation but more to the point we lost our car after only 257 days and 16,110 miles. I am still unemployed with only one other car. If I had seen this website sooner I would never had purchased this obviously problematic vehicle. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HOW CAN YOU TO THIS TO PEOPLE AND THEIR LIVES!!! CORRECT THIS DEFECT! REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSIONS!

- Kennh M., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #242

Jun 122012

Taurus 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,226 miles

Was driving down the road just fine, no noise nothing leading up to what i was about to experience. When it came time for me to go I pushed the gas and the car would not move, I tried everything , it would not go in any gear at all, transmission fluid was fine, had to have it towed to the nearest shop , where to my surprise i was told the tranny was out and that it would cost 1799.00 to replace, this really sucks. i would have never bought a ford if i would have known that they have trouble with tranny and they do nothing to help the customer out as far as replacement cost.

Tim

- timin, Saratoga, IN, US

problem #241

Jun 152012

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

2003 Ford Taurus -- Transmission failed at a very inopportune time. Lucky to be alive. Complete replacement needed. Consider this very stupid engineering on Ford's part -- NO transmission should fail at 75,000 miles, yet I see that it is definitely a pattern. Wake up America! Will NEVER buy Ford again. Case closed.

- F G., Dw, SC, US

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