2003 Ford Taurus Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2003 Ford Taurus, and owners have filed 1,223 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

• 1977
• 1981
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

3 safety recalls for the 2003 Ford Taurus

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Engine and engine cooling

   NHTSA 04V105000 Reported March 2, 2004 399,926 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

2. Switch (exterior lighting)

   NHTSA 04V106000 Reported March 2, 2004 938,789 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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 them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.

   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. Owners should contact…

3. Windshield (visibility)

   NHTSA 03V087000 Reported March 10, 2003 67,894 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

   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 remedy within a…

1,223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Ford Taurus have filed 1,223 complaints with NHTSA; 56 describe a crash and 12 describe a fire. Reports cite 59 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 82,701 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010 with 168 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Power train169
• Suspension: front147
• Power train: automatic transmission136
• Visibility: fan/motor86
• Vehicle speed control82
• Structure79
• Suspension77
• Electrical system75

What owners are reporting

“Vehicle was involved in a collision with major front end damage and no airbags deployed. The brakes have been soft or spongy. I have not seen any leaks for the brake issue. I have bled the brakes seve”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 10, 2025 · Air bags

“At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal. While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, I take my foot off of the accelerator and the vehicle maintains the 45 mph speed”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 21, 2022 · Vehicle speed control

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 Ford Taurus (Taurus Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Ford Taurus model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Taurus model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 2003 Ford Taurus

Other Ford models

• F-15037,961 complaints
• Explorer34,566 complaints
• Escape27,430 complaints
• Fusion22,405 complaints
• Focus22,096 complaints
• Windstar14,158 complaints
• Edge14,065 complaints
• Expedition9,359 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.