MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,223
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 1,223 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 1,223 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 1,223 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

2003: 1,223 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
201744
201847
201915

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

27% · 331 reports

Most commonly citing front and coil springs.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

26% · 319 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASH

Visibility

17% · 206 reports

Most commonly citing fan/motor and windshield.

FIREINJURY

Structure

9% · 111 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

8% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My son was driving along when the radio stopped working and than the car would not accelerate. He pulled over and it stalled and he saw fire under the hood. The police officer suspects an electrical problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-12

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 1,223 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-03-31Visibility03V087000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2003-10-23Recall queryClosed 2004-03-05 Brake light switch failure
  4. R
    2004-03-10Engine and engine cooling04V105000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2004-04-05Exterior lighting04V106000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2006-12-04Defect petitionClosed 2007-12-28 Engine stalling ffv
  7. I
    2008-08-28Engineering analysisClosed 2011-06-30 Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
  8. I
    2012-10-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-06-26 Speed control cable damage
  9. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 331 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 319 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 206 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V087000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V105000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V106000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 suspension, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Taurus have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.