MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 101 complaints 1987: 255 complaints 1987 1988: 333 complaints 1989: 562 complaints 1990: 381 complaints 1991: 649 complaints 1992: 681 complaints 1992 1993: 1557 complaints 1994: 923 complaints 1995: 1205 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 complaints 2003 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 202 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 579 complaints 2014: 227 complaints 2015: 253 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 43 complaints 2017 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2019
2003: 1223 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986101
1987255
1988333
1989562
1990381
1991649
1992681
19931557
1994923
19951205
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010202
2011187
201278
2013579
2014227
2015253
201675
201743
201845
201911

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 169 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SUSPENSION 12%

12% of complaints: suspension — 147 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 136 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 86 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 1223
R 20030331 — visibility

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE

Campaign 03V087000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031023 — RQ (closed 20040305)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

R 20040310 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Campaign 04V105000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040405 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWN

Campaign 04V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20061204 — DP (closed 20071228)

ENGINE STALLING FFV

I 20080828 — EA (closed 20110630)

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

I 20121024 — PE (closed 20130626)

Speed control cable damage

R 20160526 — service brakes, hydraulic

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598,...

Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Campaign 16E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (169 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (147 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (136 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V087000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V105000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V106000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford Taurus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Taurus?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Taurus have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.