Is the 2003 Ford Taurus a bad year?
1,223 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 316, 32× a quiet Taurus year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 65k–116k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Taurus owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 87,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 316 (26%) | 65k–116k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 313 (26%) | 68k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 88 (7%) | 68k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 97 (8%) | 48k–105k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 73 (6%) | 44k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 46 (4%) | 29k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 46 (4%) | 72k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 44 (4%) | 20k–120k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 24 (2%) | 56k–133k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 22 (2%) | 37k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 12 (1%) | 54k–140k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 196 (16%) | 41k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 111 (9%) | 41k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 36 (3%) | 38k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 87,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,223 complaints: 56 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 45 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Was driving 50 MPH when with no warning the car started slowing down and I almost crashed into a retention pond.cannot drive due to transmission failure!
Driving to work lost power in car. RPM went up pulled over I had no drive no reverse nothing the transmission was gone no warning no lights, no noise just stopped.
The shifter changes to reverse, drive, neutral, but the car does not recognize the gears. The vehicle remains stationary.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 87,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Ford Taurus: 4
These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash. In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "Park" If they fail in the closed position…
On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn. This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "Windshield mounting." The windshields may potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles. Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 3
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Ford Taurus. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Speed control cable damage
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Engine stalling ffv
Brake light switch failure
Neighbouring years
2002 Taurus: 1,425 complaints, keep it · 2004 Taurus: 375 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford Taurus year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Taurus years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Ford Taurus a bad year?
1,223 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 316, 32× a quiet Taurus year. At 87,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 65k–116k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Taurus?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (316), suspension (313), speed control (88), electrical system (97), engine (73). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 65k–116k miles.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Taurus have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 16E026000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 04V-106), Engine (NHTSA 04V-105), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 03V-087). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.