CarBrief

The 2003 Taurus has 1,223 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, led by power train and suspension complaints[1][2][3]. It also has 3 recalls, so check that each one was done[4].

1,223owner complaints[1]
3recalls[4]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,223 complaints for this year[1]. Of those, 56 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 59 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and NHTSA notes that one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups are:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[2] 316 86,876
Suspension[3] 313 85,000
Visibility[6] 191 57,000
Structure[7] 111 57,123
Electrical system[8] 97 73,348
Engine[9] 90 75,000
Speed control[10] 88 103,716
Air bags[11] 46 58,000

Power train. In a sample of complaints we read, owners often name the transmission[2]. Owners describe jerking, lurching or slipping. Some describe the car not moving when they pressed the gas or the transmission giving out while driving[2].

Suspension. In the sample we read, owners describe broken front coil springs, worn front ball joints and a steering wheel vibration that tire balancing did not cure[3]. The fire and injury counts in this group are small, with 2 fires and 2 injuries[3].

Visibility. Owners in the sample describe a heater or blower fan that stopped working. Several link it to water getting in[6]. One owner wrote that a dead heater made it hard to see the road in bad weather[6].

Structure. Owners in the sample describe water leaking into the passenger side of the cabin[7]. This lines up with the blower complaints above.

Air bags. There are only 46 complaints, but they carry 38 crashes, 43 injuries and 2 deaths[11]. Treat these as reports to check, not a ranking.

Speed control. The 88 complaints include 6 crashes, 9 injuries and 1 death[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this year. All three have a dealer remedy.

Fuel economy

EPA lists the 3.0L 6-cylinder with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive in several versions:

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Taurus, regular gas[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
Taurus, regular gas (second listing)[15] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
Taurus, gasoline or E85[16] 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
Taurus Wagon, regular gas[17][18] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
Taurus Wagon, gasoline or E85[19] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists no 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4-door, the 4-door W/SAB or the 4-door wagon[20][21][22]. All three are marked not rated[20][21][22]. That means there are no crash test stars to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA listings above are for a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[5]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Sedan (LX/SE/SEL/SEL Premium) Wagon (SE/SEL/SEL Premium)
Length[23][24] 198 in 198 in
Width[23][24] 73 in 73 in
Height[23][24] 56 in 58 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[23][24] 3,353 lb 3,534 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

1995: 1,214 complaints, 7 recalls19951996: 849 complaints, 6 recalls1997: 800 complaints, 3 recalls1998: 555 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 895 complaints, 5 recalls2000: 1,195 complaints, 8 recalls2001: 1,037 complaints, 9 recalls20012002: 1,426 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 1,223 complaints, 3 recalls1,22320032004: 375 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 774 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 318 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 149 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 328 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 204 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 187 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 79 complaints, 5 recalls2013: 591 complaints, 9 recalls20132014: 235 complaints, 5 recalls2015: 280 complaints, 6 recalls2016: 85 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 44 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 52 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 18 complaints, 2 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Taurus model year. The 2003 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951,2147
19968496
19978003
19985552
19998955
20001,1958
20011,0379
20021,4263
20031,2233
20043751
20057740
20063182
20071490
20083281
2009751
20102043
20111874
2012795
20135919
20142355
20152806
2016854
2017444
2018524
2019182

Among the 25 Taurus model years in NHTSA's data, 2003 has the second most complaints at 1,223[4]. Only 2002 is higher, at 1,426[4]. 1995 is close at 1,214[4].

Recalls are a different story. 2003 has 3, while 2001 has 9 and 2000 has 8[4]. Later years have fewer complaints, such as 375 for 2004 and 774 for 2005[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read these as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2003 Taurus?

The complaint count is high for this model, and power train and suspension complaints lead the list[1][2][3]. That is not a verdict on any single car, since the reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales[4]. If you are looking at one, ask for transmission and spring service records and check for water on the passenger floor. Confirm the three recalls were completed[12][13][14]. The missing crash test ratings are also worth knowing about[20][21][22].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Taurus?
Power train has the most complaints at 316, followed by suspension at 313[2][3]. In a sample we read, owners describe transmission trouble and broken front coil springs[2][3].
Does the 2003 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes, three: stop lamp switch (04V106), air filter (04V105) and windshield mounting (03V087)[12][13][14].
What gas mileage does a 2003 Ford Taurus get?
EPA lists the Taurus at 17 to 18 city and 25 to 26 highway (21 or 20 combined), and the Taurus Wagon at 17 city and 24 highway (19 combined)[5][15][17][16].
Is the 2003 Ford Taurus safe?
NHTSA lists no star ratings for this year[20][21][22]. It has three recalls on file[12][13][14].
Is 2003 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
It has the second most complaints of the 25 Taurus years listed, at 1,223[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,223 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Ford Taurus (56 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 59 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 316 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,876). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 313 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Taurus model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 191 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 111 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,123). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 97 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,348). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 90 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 88 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,716). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 46 complaints name the air bags component group (38 crashes, 0 fires, 43 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 04V106, filed March 2, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 04V105, filed March 2, 2004: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 03V087, filed March 10, 2003: Visibility › Windshield. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Taurus, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Taurus Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR WAGON None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAURUS 4DR SEDAN LX/SE/SEL/SEL PREMIUM: length 198 in, width 73 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,353 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAURUS 4DR WAGON SE/SEL/SEL PREMIUM: length 198 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,534 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.