2003 FORD TAURUS Electrical System Problems

MY INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND WILL STAY ON 2-3 HOURS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED.

Mileage: 88,000

FORD TAURUS 2003 CAR SAFETY PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON JULY 01, 2007.FORD TAURUS 2003, MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING.

MY BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE STARTS AND I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. THE LIGHT STAYS ON TILL I TURN CAR OFF. REPLACED BATTERY, REPLACED STARTER, HAD THE ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND WAS TOLD ITS NUMBERS WERE GOOD BUT NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THE WIRES ARE MELTING BECAUSE OF THEIR POSITION ON AND AROUND THE ALTERNATOR. THERE IS ONE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT SITS ACROSS ON TOP OF THE ALTERNATOR AND APPEARS TO BE MELTING AS THE UNIT GETS HOT. WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. FORD HAS CHANGED THE POSITIONING OF THEIR ALTERNATOR WIRES ON LATER MODELS. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR CAN AFFECT OTHER CONNECTED COMPONENTS. THE BATTERY LIGHT REFUSES TO TURN OFF.

Mileage: 103,746

BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY DIED THANKS .IN MOTION ON STREET

Mileage: 130,000

AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE AND THE CAR IS STILL IN MOTION, THE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE ENGINE STALL'S OUT.

Mileage: 95,423

MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE POLICE OFFICER AND THE FIREMEN SAID IT WAS A ELECTRIC FIRE. MY CAR WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING AT 8:30 P.M. AND THAT BETWEEN 3 AND 4 A.M. A CAR THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I WAS NOT EVEN DRIVING IT WAS JUST SITTING THERE PARK.

Mileage: 168,357

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BLOWER MOTOR EMITTED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RESISTER BLOWER MOTOR WAS GETTING DAMAGED WITH WATER FROM THE CROW AND UNDER THE AIR CABIN FILTER WHERE THE INSTALLATION OF THE CABIN AIR FILTER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE INSTALLATION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMPSTARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM FAILED; HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO NO FAILURE CODES. THE ALTERNATOR AND STARTER WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

DRIVING 6AM TODAY BOTH MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY TURNED BACK ON 5 SECOND LATER BUT THAT IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. ALSO DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON RANDOM TIMES FOR THE LAST YEAR EVEN THIS MORNING BUT DIFFERENT TIME THEN HEADLIGHT ISSUE.

Mileage: 2

FOR THE FIRST 6 YEARS THIS CAR WAS GARAGED, AS SOON AS IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, EXPOSED TO THE WEATHER, A VERY BAD WATER LEAK APPEARED. I CONSTANTLY GET WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS LEAK FRIED MY BLOWER MOTOR, RESULTING IN NO HEAT. THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE LEAK IS STILL PRESENT. ONCE AGAIN, I FIND MYSELF WITH NO HEAT. THE BLOWER MOTOR WORKS, BUT IS NOT GETTING ANY POWER TO IT. THE RESISTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND ALL FUSES AND RELAYS ARE FINE. DRIVING IN CONNECTICUT WITH NO HEAT IN THE WINTER IS A DIFFICULT TASK.

Mileage: 70,000

RIDING DOWN ROUTE 539 AT 5:00 PM WHEN THE THEFT ALARM CAME ON AND CAR CUT OFF AND JERKED AND RESTARTED AT THE TIME THE TRUCK ALMOST HIT ME IN THE REAR END WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED I MADE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP WERE IT STILL IS. MY REPAIRMAN IS RUNNING ALL KINDS OF TEST TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE CAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AND CAR DEALER SHOULD ALSO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE.

Mileage: 130,000

THE PARK LAMP SWITCH SEEMS TO BE FAILING AND INTERMITTENTLY WILL STOP WORKING CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL AND THE VEHICLE TO NOT SWITCH OUT OF PARK. USING THE VIN NUMBER THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE BUT OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. YOUR HELP WITH ADDRESSING THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE WIRE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 128,000

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS ACCELERATES BY ITSELF TO 35-45 MPH WITHOUT HAVING TO TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR (NOTE: THE CAR WILL ALSO ACCELERATE UPHILL WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WORKS, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ITSELF IS NOT ENGAGING. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

MY BATTERY DISCHARGE LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE ABS LIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OTHERS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND NEITHER HE NOR I CAN FIND THE BATTERY DRAIN. THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING. AT TIMES IF ITS RAINING THE WIPERS GO AS DOES THE HEAT OR AIR BLOWER. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE ENGINE STOPPING OR THE BRAKES NOT WORKING AND I HAVE HAD MY WIPERS NOT WORK IN A RAIN STORM . ANY ADVICE? *JS

Mileage: 120,000

OCT 2012 BOUGHT MY FORD TAURUS 2003. IN NOVEMBER AS I DROVE HOME AT 3 AM AT 55 MPH THE CARS DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL FLASHED ACROSS MY DASH THEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR STALLED. I SAT FOR APPROX 15 RESTARTED CAR AND GOT IT HOME. THE NEXT MORN THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. PURCHASED BATTERY. CAR RAN FINE FOR A YEAR THEN CHANGED COILS IN OCTOBER 2013. ION NOVEMBER I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN DASH AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR INTO A DRIVEWAY BEFORE GETTIN HIT BY 2 CARS. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE I CHARGED BATTERY CHECK THE ALTERNATOR. NEXT DAY CAR WAS STARTED 3 TIMES. THE FOURTH TIME NO GO. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. OR SHALL I SAY DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CALLED NEXT DAY TO TELL ME IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY THEY HAVE CHARGED IT FOR AN HOUR. I LET THE CAR SIT THERE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN CALLED BACK, THEY THEN SAID MY NEG TERM TO MY BATTERY WASN'T CONNECTED.. AND THE CAR IS NOW FIXED, THE CAR HAS SAT AT DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS. IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND DON'T WANT MY FOUR KIDS IN THAT DEATH TRAP. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

MY HUSBAND PICKED ME UP FROM SCHOOL AND HE WENT IN THE STORE AND THE CAR WHILE ME AND MY 1 YEAR OLD WERE IN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING LIKE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER PART THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF THE CAR, MY HUSBAND RAN OUT OF STORE STATING CAR WAS ON FIRE HE PULLED CAR WAY FROM GAS STATION, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND GOT MY DAUGHTER OUT, FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF HOOD AND BOTTOM OF CAR HIGH WE CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT EVERYTHING IS ON CAMERA, THAN A POLICE OFFICER CAME OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE.

A WATER LEAK WHICH DUMPED WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. FORD WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL BUT WILL FIX IT FOR $550 REPLACING THE BLOWER MOTOR,BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE LEAK THAT THEY SAID WAS COMING FROM A "RAIN CAP" ON THE WINDSHIELD. I LOOKED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

AC/HEATER BLOWER ONLY OPERATES ON HIGH - SPEEDS 1,2,3, NO AIR BLOWING. BLOWER RESISTOR PART (F6DZ-19A706-AA) HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN SIX YEARS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A DEFECT/KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD BE ADDRESSING. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

WATER LEAKING IN FROM COWL PANEL...CAUSING HEATER MOTOR TO RUST OUT...COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION STARTER WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE ORIGINAL STARTER THAT WAS INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2011. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, AT FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T GO OUT OF PARK, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT FINALLY DID. AT THAT POINT IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I FOUND AN OLD RECALL THAT APPEARED TO MATCH THE VEHICLE (04S12) BUT THE FORD DEALER STATED MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT STATE WHETHER THE CAR HAD ALREADY HAD IT DONE OR NOT. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

AFFECTED PART: STARTER...CAR WOULD NOT START. I GOT IT JUMPED AND DROVE TO AUTOZONE TO TEST. STARTER WAS DEAD. REPLACED STARTER. AFFECTED PART: NOT SURE WHAT PART BUT I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS/DASHLIGHTS AND AIR, ALL WEAKENING AS I AM DRIVING. VEHICLES THINK I AM FLASHING MY HEADLIGHTS AT THEM. *TR

Mileage: 104,220

FAILURE OF BLOWER MOTOR. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WATER LEAKING INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR COMPARTMENT AND SHORTING-OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR/RESISTOR IS CHRONIC IN THE 2003 FORD TAURUS, EVIDENCED BY THE PRESENCE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR PASSENGER SIDE-FRONT, AND NECESSITATES REPLACEMENT OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND/OR BALLAST RESISTOR FROM WATER DAMAGE, AT OWNER EXPENSE! A RECALL IS IN ORDER TO COMPEL FORD TO ADDRESS THIS DESIGN ISSUE, AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE OUT OF NO WHERE. MULTIPLE OTHER PHANTOM ENGINE FAILURES/ENGINE INEXPLICABLY DIES. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

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. THE CAR BURNT FROM FRONT TO REAR..A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS EXPERIENCED FAILURES. AS A RESULT, HOT AIR WOULD NOT BLOW FROM THE VENTS AND THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND DRAINED THE BATTERY PREMATURELY. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPUTER AND CORRECTED THE INTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE. THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,555 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 85,754. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/06/12

Mileage: 82,555

WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER FLOOR,SHORTED BLOWER MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

A WATER LEAK, POSSIBLY FROM A FAULTY SEAL, ONTO THE PASSENGER INTERIOR FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSED MY AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. MY HEATER SWITCH WILL ONLY WORK IN THE MAXIMUM POSITION. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT IS DUE TO A HEATER MOTOR RESISTOR, WHICH HAS CAUSED SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR OTHER TAURUS OWNERS. I COULD NOT GET FORD TO ACT EVEN THOUGH A RELATED RECALL EXISTED UNDER 03V087000. *TR

POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, MIRRORS DO NOT WORK, INSIDE LIGHTS ARE OUT. FORD REPLACED GEM MODULE A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM COSTING ME MONEY AT THAT TIME. WHEN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN, FORD WOULD REPLACE FUSE AND IN A FEW MINUTES THE FUSE WOULD BLOW, AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY DID THIS AND NOW THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THE PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OLDER AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM FIXING IT WOULD COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. I HAVE A VERY GOOD VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO USE THE WINDOWS AND MIRRORS AND ESPECIALLY THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME SINCE I TRAVEL ALONE A LOT EACH YEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY REPEATLY STATE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS AND ARE NOT AWARE OF SUCH PROBLEMS. I EVEN SENT THEM WEBSITES FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOGGLE: TAURUS WINDOW PROBLEMS AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS MATTER AS FORD IS NOT LISTENING TO US..... *TT

Mileage: 80,000

WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE RAIN, WATER WILL LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ON APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 1, 2011, IT SHORTED OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR THAT COOLS/HEATS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AFTER SITTING IN THE RAIN AT THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF WATER IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME WATER LEAK IN 2006, BUT THE SHORT OF THE BLOWER DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THIS YEAR.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED SIMUTANEOUSLY. THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN OFF FOR APPROXIMATLEY FIVE TO TEN SECONDS BEFORE RE-ILLUMINATING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

1ST OCCURRENCE: DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ALL ELECTRICAL POWER LOST EXCEPT ANTITHEFT LIGHT ON DASH ON. TURN SIGNALS NOT FUNCTIONING, WAS LUCKY TO GET TO SHOULDER, NO HAZARDS WORKED WHILE ON SHOULDER. STRANDED FOR APPROX 1 HR WHEN ALL POWER CAME BACK AND CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. 2ND OCCURRENCE; CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK, ANTITHEFT LIGHT ON AND ALL ELECTRICAL DEAD LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED. WILL BE TOWING TO FORD DEALERSHIP IF IT DOESN'T START TOMORROW. *LN

Mileage: 60,500

REPEATED STALLING OF MY 2003 FORD TAURUS UPON DECELERATION. RPM'S DROP TO AROUND 500 AND THEN THE ENGINE EITHER SURGES TO APPROXIMATELY 1200 RPMS (3 TIMES IN A ROW) AND THEN IDLES NORMALLY OR STALLS. ODDLY IF I SHUT OFF THE BLOWER FAN, AND SHUT OFF THE RADIO I CAN PREVENT THE STALL BUT I STILL GET THE RPM BOUNCE. THERE ARE NO CODES RECORDED IN THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I LOOSE ALL POWER WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT LAST DEC AND NOW AM EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, MY SIGNAL LIGHTS/HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND WAS TOLD THE WIRES AND HARNESS NEED TO BE REPLACED. HINGES THAT HOLD REAR WINDOW IN HAVE SNAPPED OFF, WINDOW HELD IN PLACE BY LOCK. *TR

Mileage: 103,798

HEAT/AC FAN BLOWS ONLY ON HIGH. REPLACED COWL PANEL AND INSTALLED RAIN HAT AND BLOWER RESISTOR 11/08; BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FOUND DEFECTIVE 7/10 AND REPLACED. HEAT/AC FAN BLOWS ONLY ON HIGH TODAY 12/10. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATING SYSTEM THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NO AIR BLOW OUT OF THE VEHICLES VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RESISTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE RESISTOR WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59000. UPDATED 12/10/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED THREE RESISTOR UNITS AND A PROTECTIVE BONNET FOR THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT AND A NEW BLOWER UNIT. UPDATED 12/17/10*JB

Mileage: 51,000

CAR WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. A REMANUFACTURED COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED INTO THE CAR AND THE COST WAS STILL OVER $600. MILEAGE OF THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED, WATER MADE ITS WAY INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FLOODED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. FURTHERMORE, THE DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND, INTERIOR LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED AND THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,586.

Mileage: 140,586

BLOWER FAN FAILURE TO OPERATE AND WHEN IT DID WORK, IT MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. FINALLY COMPLETE FAILURE. SYSTEM EVALUATLION, FUSES, CIRCUIT BREAKERS, HARNESSES ALL GOOD. REMOVED FAN MOTOR HOUSING AND FAN MOTOR. BOTH SHOWED EVIDENCE OF WATER COLLECTING IN THE HOUSING AND MOTOR ITSELF. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I PURCHASED A FAN MOTOR , INSTALLED AND REASSEMBLED EVERYTHING. MY QUESTION, IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN? *TR

Mileage: 41,000

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 MY 2003 FORD TAURUS CAUGHT FIRE AT 1:00 P.M. PARKED UNDER OUR CAR PORCH AND THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE CAR AND NO ONE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 5 HOURS ON SATURDAY MORNING. THE SHREVEPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALL TO KEEP THE HOUSE FROM BURNING DOWN WITH THE CAR. THE CITY FIRE MARSHALL SAID THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. I TOLD HIM NO ONE USES THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THAT CAR BECAUSE WE JUST GO IN TOWN AND THERE IS A RED LIGHT AT EVERY CORNER. HE STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN TO MANY OTHER FIRES JUST LIKE THIS ONE AND IT WAS ALWAYS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY HUSBAND IS EMOTIONALLY DISABLED AND I NEARLY HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN JUST THE SIGHT THAT OUR INVESTMENT WAS BURNING UP AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO. I HAVE CALL THE FIRE MARSHALL FOR A WRITTEN COPY OF HIS REPORT. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND THEIR IS SOME MINOR DAMAGES AND LOTS OF SMOKE DAMAGE TO DONE TO THE HOUSE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SE HAS BEEN CUTTING OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. ALL POWER GOES OUT AND THE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS NOW AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES ONLY TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERYTHING LOCKS UP ON THE CAR, INCLUDING THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE BRAKES, AND I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING. AFTER 3-8 SECONDS IT WILL START ITSELF BACK UP AGAIN AND I REGAIN FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY, BUT WHEN I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING AND GOTTEN NO ANSWERS: HTTP://WWW.FORD-FORUMS.COM/FORD-TAURUS/10048-TAURUS-SHUTS-OFF-STARTS-ITSELF-WHILE-DRIVING.HTML IF YOU CAN HELP ME, PLEASE DO! IT'S JUST NOT SAFE FOR MY 1-YEAR-OLD AND I TO BE DRIVING AROUND UNSURE OF WHEN THE CAR WILL DO THIS AGAIN!! IT'S A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!*TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION ON THE WINDOWS. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, BUT THEN SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST, WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CLEARED OFF THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR POSSIBLY FAILED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE AS RUST WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 127,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,800. UPDATED 08/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

Mileage: 127,600

2003 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THERE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL: WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CABIN AIR FILTER AREA INTO CABIN COMPARTMENT AND SEIZING AND OVERHEATING HEATING RESISTOR AND HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS ON MY CAR WHICH IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE CABIN AIR FILTER AREA INTO THE CABIN COMPARTMENT IN MANY 2001-3 TAURUS'S HAVE CAUSED THEIR HEATER BLOWER MOTORS TO BIND OR SEIZE WHICH ALSO BURNS OUT THE BLOWER RESISTOR. IT ALSO EVENTUALLY CAUSES MOLD TO FORM IN THE HEATER AREA AND UNDER THE DAMPENED CARPETING. AFTER NOTING A BURNING SMELL SEVERAL TIMES IN MY CAR'S CABIN AFTER STARTING MY HEATER FAN, MY HEATER DEFROSTER BLOWER AT FIRST WOULD NOT WORK- ONLY TO WORK A BIT LATER-UNTIL IT FINALLY CEASED TO WORK COMPLETELY. ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY VISION WHILE DRIVING WAS SEVERELY IMPEDED DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD FOGGING OR ICING UP, AS THE DEAD BLOWER COULD NOT DEFROST IT. WHEN I PULLED THE HEATER MOTOR AND RESISTOR OUT (STILL WIRED) I DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE BURNING SMELL. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION AND FAN SWITCH ON, THE MOTOR SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE RESISTOR TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT THAT LITERALLY FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF THE RESISTOR! LUCKILY I SHUT THE FAN OFF COMPLETELY WHEN I SMELLED THE BURNING RESISTOR BUT IT IS FORTUNATE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. FORD IS WELL ARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 04-15-3 TO RESOLVE IT. THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR MUST BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD COWL (WHICH APPARENTLY WARPS FROM THE SUN AND HEAT) AND AN ADDITIONAL PIECE OF RUBBER MOLDING INSTALLED ON THE RAIN HAT OVER THE CABIN AIR FILTER. ADDITIONALLY AN AREA NEAR THE OVER THE CABIN AIR FILTER MUST BE SILICONE CAULKED AND SOME FOAM INSULATION REMOVED FOR PROPER DRAINAGE. I REPEAT THE ABOVE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TURNING THEMSELVES ON AND OFF FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME, WHILE SWITCHED OFF. NOW THEY RUN ALMOST NON STOP. DEALER SUGGESTS MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH (I CHANGED IT -DIDN'T WORK), OR A GEM MODULE. A SEARCH AT TAURUS CAR CLUB SITES SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPORTS IDENTIFIES OVERALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN ALL TAURUS' TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS SEDAN. TWICE IN THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARS I NOTICED WATER ON THE CARPET ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE BLOWER MOTOR STARTED ACTING ABNORMALLY. FINALLY, ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE BLOWER MOTOR, A RESISTOR BANK, A PIECE OF COWL TOP PLASTIC AND SOME WEATHERPROOF GASKET REPLACED. I LEARNED JUST PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE IN THAT THERE WAS A "TSB" ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR A RANGE OF VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 2001 AND 2003. THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS WAS $237.00 IN LABOR AND APPROXIMATELY $200.00 IN PARTS. I AM ANNOYED AND IRRITATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY STILL CAN'T LEARN HOW TO MAKE CARS, TEST THEM AS LONG AS THEY DO, BUILD THEM AND THEN I EXPERIENCE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM THAT THEY ALREADY KNEW ABOUT, SIX YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. IT WAS ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT THE BLOWER FAILED DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER OPERATIONS. I HAD TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT HOME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO HEAT OR ANY WAY TO DEFROST THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 44,781

2003 FORD TAURUS SE WITH 33,000 MILES. BLOWER FAN QUIT WORKING ON LOW SPEEDS SPRING OF 2008. REPAIRED JULY 7, 2008 BY REPLACING BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. THIS WORKED FOR LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. DETERMINED THAT BANGING ON DASH WOULD ALLOW BLOWER TO WORK. AFTER FIRST FREEZE OF THE 2008 WINTER SEASON THE BLOWER QUIT AND HAS NOT WORKED SINCE. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE: THE WINDOWS HAVE ICE ON THE INSIDE SEVERELY LIMITING VISIBILITY, THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE CAR IS NEAR AMBIENT - WHICH IS CURRENTLY BELOW FREEZING. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

I DISCOVERED EARLIER YEAR THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE FLOORBOARD OF MY CAR'S PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. I NEVER NOTICED IT BEFORE, SINCE I AM ALWAYS THE DRIVER, AND RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT IT WAS A DESIGN ERROR, AND I HAVE TRIED TO PLUG THE HOLES WHERE WATER IS COMING IN. I STILL HAVE PERIODIC LEAKS. AS A RESULT OF THE WATER LEAK, MY BLOWER HAS NOW SHORTED OUT. THIS IS DESIGN ERROR AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECTIFY IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT WITH FORD, PLEASE SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ATTACHED TO RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND COMPLAINT 10184014. PLEASE HELP!! *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS WHICH EXPERIENCED A HEATER MOTOR AND HEATER SWITCH FAILURE LAST YEAR. I REPLACE THE COMPONENTS MYSELF FOR AROUND $250.00. THIS YEAR I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AFTER HEAVY RAINS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR LOCATION OF THE WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THIS WEEK WITH THE TORRENTIAL RAINS WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING, WATER WAS FOUND COMING OUT OF MY HEATER MOTOR AND HEATER AND DRAINING ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT WELL CARPET WHILE USING MY HEATER AND DEFROSTER. ONCE I GOT HOME I REMOVED THE HEATER MOTOR FROM THE AIR DUCT AND APPROXIMATELY 8 OZ. OF WATER POURED OUT ON THE FLOOR. I SURMISED THE WATER OF THIS GREAT VOLUME WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I SEARCH THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THIS SITUATION AND ON YOU WEB SITE I FOUND THERE WAS A COMPLIANCE RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ON MARCH 3, 2003 ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 29, 2001 AND APRIL 27, 2002 REGARDING WINDSHIELD RETENTION REQUIREMENTS. I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT ON NOVEMBER 17, 2008 IN HOPE OTHER OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT(S). THIS POSES A CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL UNDERTAKING BY THE CONSUMER SHOULD THE WATER INFILTRATE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IN THE SUSPECT VEHICLES AND CAUSE CONSIDER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT DAMAGE WITHIN SAID VEHICLES. TO DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM FORD REGARDING MY 2003 FORD TAURUS SE WITH A MANUFACTURE DATE OF 12/02 VIN.#. I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD INSTITUTE AN NATIONAL RECALL ON SAID VEHICLES SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR FLEET MODEL DRIVEN VEHICLE AS WELL ONE THE HIGHEST VOLUME MODEL CARS DRIVEN IN FORDS HISTORY MY THE CONSUMER IN GENERAL. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEED RESPONSE ON THIS DAMAGING SITUATION THAT MOST CONSUMERS HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF. SINCERELY, J. CHRISTOPHER VEACH. *TR

Mileage: 84,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SPLASH SHIELD OVER THE CABIN FILTER, LOCATED ABOVE THE HEATER AND NEAR THE BLOWER FAN. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS AND SHORTS OUT THE RESISTOR OR FAN. AS A RESULT, POWER IS LOST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL, ONLY SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 31506. THE CONTACT HAS TO PURCHASE A SPLASH SHIELD, WHICH PREVENTS WATER FROM SEEPING DOWN INTO THE BLOWER FAN. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD RESISTOR THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED SINCE JUNE OF 2008 BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO SHORT OUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

Mileage: 92,000

MY 2003 FORD TAURUS BLOWER MOTOR STARTED TO WORK ONLY PART OF THE TIME AND THEN EVENTUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I LIVE IN NORTHERN MN WHERE WE TEMPERATURES AT THE END OF JAN BEGINNING OF FEB OF - 40 BELOW AND HIGHS OF - 5 BELOW. THE BLOWER IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ARE BEING TOLD THAT WATER IS GETTING INTO THE BLOWER AND DESTROYING THEM TIME AFTER TIME. *TR

Mileage: 65,213

DASH LIGHTS WON'T WORK EXCEPT FOR HAZARD LIGHTS WHICH STAY ON AT ALL TIMES WHEN LIGHT SWITCH ACTIVATED. ALL OTHER INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORK. STARTED DURING COLD MONTHS BUT WOULD RESOLVE WHEN CAR WARMED UP. NOW THE LIGHTS ARE TOTALLY OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I CANNOT SEE THE GAUGES AS I AM DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK IN THE DARK. IT SEEMS TO BE A CROSSED WIRE OR CIRCUIT BOARD MALFUNCTION. TRIED TO EXPLAIN PROBLEM TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HAD APPOINTMENT AND THEN THEY WANTED IT TO SIT THERE FOR 3 DAYS WHILE TECHNICIAN WHO STARTED THE WORK WAS OFF!! IT WILL BE GOING TO A NEW DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY! *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR AT THE COST OF $400, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN. THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL AND POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES WERE REPLACED AND A NEW COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. DURING THE FINAL TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE FLOWN IN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINEER CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING 2.4 VOLTS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHUT OFF. BYPASS WIRES WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 30 DAYS AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,693. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/26/08. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

WATER LEAKS INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR BOARD. WATER ALSO ACCUMULATES IN THE BLOWER MOTOR HOUSING, CAUSING IT AND THE CONTROL RESISTOR TO SHORT OUT. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

POOR VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWED WATER TO LEAK INTO HVAC SYSTEM CAUSING DAMAGE TO BLOWER RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR. NOW UNABLE TO DEFROST / DEFOG FRONT WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN HAS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A LEAK IN A DEFECTIVE COWL. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD PERIODICALLY ILLUMINATE AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO TURNING ON AND OFF WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE LIGHT SWITCH. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO REV AUTOMATICALLY AND, WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AGAIN. IN ADDITION, WHEN IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND HAVE TO BE PLACED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO BE RESTARTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS ALSO PERFORMED, BUT IT DID NOT PRODUCE A FAILURE CODE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Mileage: 75,000

WHEN DRIVING MY 2003 FORD TAURUS WAGON IT STALLS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS BUT COMES BACK ON BY ITSELF. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL. AT TRAFFIC LIGHT & ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON &CAR DID STALL & I HAD TO RESTART CAR. DRIVING AT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WILL COME ON & CAR STALLS BUT RESTARTS ON ITS OWN WHICH IS SCARY. WARRANTY ALREADY EXPIRED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 2/11/08 AND THEN TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THE DOOR PANEL BROKE OFF AND THE CAR WAS IDLING HIGH WHEN I DRIVE IT. THEY KNOCKED $1,000 OFF OF THE SALES PRICE AND TOOK OFF THE FORD WARRANTY FOR THIS EXCHANGE AND THEY WROTE OUT ANOTHER SALES CONTRACT. A MONTH LATER, THE STARTER WENT OUT AND I PAID $200.00 TO FIX IT (OUT OF MY POCKET). THEN, ON 4/7/08 WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN AND I CALLED RACEWAY FORD. THE CAR DEALER WHOM SOLD ME THE CAR TOLD ME THAT HE DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN HELP ME AND IF THEY DID FIX IT, HE SAID HE WOULDN'T KNOW WHEN IT'LL BE READY BECAUSE HE'S NOT A MECHANIC (IN A VERY SARCASTIC TONE). HE TOLD ME TO JUST CALL BACK WHEN THE MANAGER ARRIVE AT 3 P.M. TODAY. I HAD TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED THE SAME DAY SO I TOOK MY CAR TO GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP IN MORENO VALLEY AND PAID $688.00 (OUT OF MY POCKET) TO GET IT REPAIRED. AFTER MY CAR WAS REPAIRED, ON 4/7/08, I WENT TO RACEWAY FORD AND WAITED 15 MINUTES TO TALK TO THE SALES MANAGER, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS IN HIS OFFICE, ONLY 20FT AWAY FROM WHERE I WAS WAITING, HE SENT HIS ASSISTANT MANAGER TO COME OUT TO TALK TO ME BECAUSE THE ASSISTANT MANAGER SAID THE MANAGER WAS TOO BUSY TO HANDLE THE SITUATION AT THIS TIME. SO, I EXPLAINED ALL THE PROBLEMS I?VE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH I PURCHASED FROM THEM. THE ASSISTANT MANAGER MADE COPIES OF MY REPAIR BILLS AND TOLD ME THAT HE PROMISE HE'LL TRY TO HELP ME AS BEST AS HE CAN AND HE'LL CALL ME BACK TOMORROW (ON 04/08/08). TODAY IS 4/10/08 AND I HAVEN?T HEARD FROM THE MANAGER OR THE ASSISTANT MANAGER IN REGARDS TO THIS DILEMMA. NEITHER ONE OF THEM HAS TRIED TO CONTACT ME. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IF THEY WOULD HAVE DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME, THIS PROBLEM WOULDN'T EVEN EXIST. *TR

Mileage: 73,348

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD TAURUS FROM CARMAX IN BALTIMORE, MD IN SEPT 2006 AFTER TRADING IN MY 2000 FORD RANGER. THE TAURUS WAS A RENTAL CAR IN NJ BEFORE BEING SOLD TO CARMAX. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, STARTER, BLOWER MOTOR RELAY, TRANSMISSION GASKET AND NOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 68,812

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD TAURUS FROM CARMAX IN BALTIMORE, MD IN SEPT 2006 AFTER TRADING IN MY 2000 FORD RANGER. THE TAURUS WAS A RENTAL CAR IN NJ BEFORE BEING SOLD TO CARMAX. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, STARTER, BLOWER MOTOR RELAY, TRANSMISSION GASKET AND NOW THE AIR COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 68,812

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SLIPPED DOWN AND SHE HEARD A LOT OF WIND NOISE, RATTLING, AND WATER LEAKAGE. THE FLOOR BEGAN TO RUST, THE LIGHTS FLICKERED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN THE CONSUMER DRIVES OVER 35 MPH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO DIM. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A BAD ALTERNATOR. UPDATED

Mileage: 43,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD SLIPPED DOWN AND SHE HEARD A LOT OF WIND NOISE, RATTLING, AND WATER LEAKAGE. THE FLOOR BEGAN TO RUST, THE LIGHTS FLICKERED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN THE CONSUMER DRIVES OVER 35 MPH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO DIM. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO A BAD ALTERNATOR. UPDATED

Mileage: 43,000

03 FORD TAURUS, THE HEAT HAS QUIT WORKING IN THE CAR FIRST I LOST LOW AND THE NEXT TWO SPEED CONTROLS THEN I LOST HIGH SPEED ALTOGETHER. DOING RESEARCH AT OTHER WEBSITES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN THE OCCASIONAL WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. WHERE IS THE RECALL. *TR

HEATER AND A/C FAN MOTOR SUDDENLY STOPPED. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 FORD. THE CAR HAS 52,000 MILES AND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE EVENING SO, THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT IT TO BE SERVICED. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER ANALYZER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER BOARD WAS NO GOOD. THE MECHANIC INSTALLS THE NEW COMPUTER BOARD. TWO WEEKS LATER I GO TO START THE CAR AND THE RPM IS ACCELERATING LIKE I'M DRIVING 60MPH WHILE IN PARK! THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON THE WHOLE TIME. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR DRIVE THE RPMS GRADUALLY GO DOWN AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. FINALLY, I HAD TO HAD AAA TOW ME BACK TO THE GARAGE WHO SERVICED THE CAR. THE ALTERNATOR WAS NO GOOD. AFTER THE NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED THE MECHANIC SAID IT STILL DID NOT RUN PROPERLY WHICH, LEAD HIM BACK TO THE COMPUTER BOARD. THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER BOARD AGAIN. I'VE HAD 3 FORDS IN THE PAST AND NONE OF THEM EVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER BOARD. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 FORD. THE CAR HAS 52,000 MILES AND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE EVENING SO, THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT IT TO BE SERVICED. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER ANALYZER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER BOARD WAS NO GOOD. THE MECHANIC INSTALLS THE NEW COMPUTER BOARD. TWO WEEKS LATER I GO TO START THE CAR AND THE RPM IS ACCELERATING LIKE I'M DRIVING 60MPH WHILE IN PARK! THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON THE WHOLE TIME. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR DRIVE THE RPMS GRADUALLY GO DOWN AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. FINALLY, I HAD TO HAD AAA TOW ME BACK TO THE GARAGE WHO SERVICED THE CAR. THE ALTERNATOR WAS NO GOOD. AFTER THE NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED THE MECHANIC SAID IT STILL DID NOT RUN PROPERLY WHICH, LEAD HIM BACK TO THE COMPUTER BOARD. THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER BOARD AGAIN. I'VE HAD 3 FORDS IN THE PAST AND NONE OF THEM EVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER BOARD. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

2003 FORD TAURUS. SEVERE STALLING PROBLEMS. ALSO, BEFORE EACH STALLING INCIDENT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF, AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN THE AUTO IS AT DRIVING SPEED OR AT IDLE. THE MOST SEVERE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE ENGINE DIED. I HAVE TAKEN THE AUTO TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN NORMAN, OK. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 40,000

HAVE A 2003 FORD TAURUS SES; 80K MILES. INITIALLY, MY FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. I JUST DEALT W/ IT, NO BIG DEAL, BUT EVENTUALLY, MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT... SO AFTER I CHANGED THAT, MY FAN NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR & THE RESISTOR FOR IT. IN THE MEAN TIME, DUE TO THE FAN NOT WORKING, I ALMOST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DEFROST NOT BEING ABLE TO DO IT'S JOB, AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO HEAT, I GOT A COLD AND MISSED SOME WORK. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE I HAVE FOUND THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM W/ THEIR FORD TAURUS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM, IF THAT'S THE CASE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PART FOR A RESOLUTION. BAD CHOICE ON FORDS PART. NEXT TIME, I'LL BUY HONDA. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPED AND TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BEFORE BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,400.

Mileage: 50,400

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED HIM THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN OR UNDER THE DASHBOARD. HE HAS PICTURES, IF NEEDED. THE PURCHASE DATE, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000.

Mileage: 23,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURES, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

SAME AS COMPLAINT NO. 10194207 BUT WITH A SECOND VEHICLE. IT HESITATES OR STALLS WITH NO NOTICE OTHER THAN ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COMING ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND AT INTERSECTIONS. CAR CAN BE GOING 60 MPH OR CAN BE AT A STOPLIGHT. HAS BEEN ON FLIGHT RECORDER AND COMPUTER, BUT NO CODES. DIFFERENT FIXES HAVE BEEN TRIED BY FORD, BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS WORKED FOR VERY LONG. HAD BOTH CARS IN SHOP AGAIN THIS MONTH FOR THE PROBLEM. NO ONE IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM, SO THE TRIAL AND ERROR METHOD HAS BEEN FOR THE MOST RECENT STAYS IN THE SHOP. LEFT ONE OF THE VEHICLES AT FORD FOR ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE OTHER WAS IN ON AND OFF 2 OR 3 TIMES THIS MONTH. THE HESITATION AND STALLING AND REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR AWHILE BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED OR COULD BE FIXED, BUT NOW IT IS VERY UNLIKELY WITH TWO CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND YET TO BE FIXED.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES OR STALLS OUT WHILE IN MOTION. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME AND THEN THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER. HAVE TWO OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH. FORD HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS BUT ALL ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED. BOTH CARS ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE ABOUT 54000 MILES. THE CARS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH RECORDERS AND COMPUTER BUT NO CODES COME UP. LATELY, THEY HAVE BEEN HESITATING/STALLING AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK. SOMETIMES THEY STALL WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHILE AT A LIGHT. THE WORST IS WHEN THE LIGHTS ALL COME ON AND THEY HESITATE WHILE MOVING AT 65 MPH WITH AN EIGHT WHEELER OR SUV RIGHT BEHIND. MY WIFE, TWO DAUGHTERS, & I HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THIS SITUATION AND IT'S VERY FRIGHTENING. *AK

2003 FORD TAURUS STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND AT SLOWING DOWN. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

I OWN A 2003 FORD TAURUS AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR, A RESISTOR AND THE BOWER MOTOR WHEEL. THIS WAS DO TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY FORD THAT LETS MOISTURE INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR AREA THUS CAUSING IT TO FAIL, THEY REFUSE TO DO A RECALL AND I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES FOR AUTO REPAIR. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

WATER LEAK CAUSING BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR TO FAIL ON 2003 FORD TAURUS. *JB

Mileage: 80,000

WHEN SOMEONE WAS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE STALLING PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING2003 FORD TAURUS. SOMETIMES IT WASD AT A STOP, BUT IT ALSO HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT CHOKED OUT, THE GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE, AND IT STALLED. THISWAS SOMETHING I FOUND ON BLOGS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT BY TAURUS OWNERS. IT WAS A DISTRACTION THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WAS SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENED. *AK

Mileage: 76,292

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER MUST BE POWERED ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE AIR OR HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RAINY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AND CONTAINED WATER DAMAGE. FORD AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS A 16,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,300.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES HE WOULD LIKE TO REIMBURSED FOR AMOUNT HE PAID OF $182.00, HOWEVER FORD ONLY AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. UPDATED 05/04/07*TR

Mileage: 16,300

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD FOR 1 TO 3 SECONDS AND THEN STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE MAY PANIC AND HAVE AND ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER, AND NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW THE CAUSE FOR THIS.*AK

Mileage: 65,000

THEIR WAS A WINTER STORM AND THE BLOWER ON MY 2003 TAURUS WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE TEMPATURES STARTED TO RISE AND THE SNOW/ICE MELTED THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT CONSOLSATION ON THE UNIT AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE MOTOR HISSED, THEN STARTED THEN STOPPED. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR THE SAME REASON.

BLOWER MOTOR (BLOWN) ISSUES WITH WATER LEAKAGE AND A VERY WET AND SMELLY CAR . *JB

Mileage: 44,076

HAVE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTORS ON A 2003 FORD TAURUS TWICE (PAID FOR TWICE AT A FORD REPAIR SHOP) AND IT HAS QUIT AGAIN - ALL WITHIN A TWO MONTH PERIOD. AFRAID TO LET THEM TRY AGAIN. *JB

2003 FORD TAURUS SES. FORD TSB 4-15-3, NHTSA #10011149. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILURE. MOISTURE CAUSES THE RESISTOR TO SHORT OUT. MOISTURE AND ELECTRICAL SHORT IS A FIRE HAZARD. RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR MUST BE REPLACED AND BLOWER MOTOR HOUSING MUST BE RESEALED. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN 2001, 2002, 2003, AND 2004 MODEL YEARS. DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS. *JB

Mileage: 34,500

BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH WENT OUT, PLUS WATER LEAK ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. *NM

Mileage: 75,988

I HAVE A 2003 FORD TAURUS SE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I TRIED TO MAKE A PHONE CALL HOME. AT THE TIME MY PHONE COULD NOT CONNECT, I RE-TRIED THE PHONE CALL MY PHONE MADE A CLICKING SOUND, SIMULTANEOUSLY MY DASH BOARD BLINKED OUT AND RESET TO ALL THE WRONG INFORMATION. WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED MY VEHICLE EVERYTHING RESET CORRECTLY. I CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID IT WAS A VOLTAGE SPIKE. I THEN TALKED TO A GOOD FRIEND IN THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPT. AT A COMPETITOR. HE TOLD ME THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF CELL PHONE SIGNALS WILL INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SOME VEHICLES. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE THIS A BIT MORE SERIOUSLY BECAUSE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THIS MODEL TAURUS HAS, IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *JB

Mileage: 59,686

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS LEAKED DURING RAINY WEATHER AND PUDDLES OF RAINWATER FORM IN THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALANT AROUND THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 03V087000 REGARDING VISIBILITY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE AIR CONDITION FAILED. UPDATED 09/22/06. *JB

Mileage: 4,700

ON 6-7-06, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK, THE FAN MOTOR QUIT. FOR THE NEXT WEEK, THE MOTOR WOULD QUIT OR FAIL TO RUN ANY TIME THAT IT WAS RAINING OR HAD RAINED. THIS EFFECTED USING THE DEFROST AND THE AIR CONDITIONING. AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES, I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS LOOKED AT THE CAR AND ASKED IF THIS WAS A 2003 MODEL TAURUS? HE THEN EXPLAINED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THAT CAR. HE EXPLAINED ABOUT THE WATER GETTING IN THE MOTOR AND THAT THERE WAS A TSB ON HOW TO FIX THIS. HOWEVER, FORD WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS 401.14 DOLLARS. SINCE THIS CAUSED A ELECTRICAL SHORT AND WAS NOT PROTECTED BY FUSES, I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A FIRE. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD BUT HAD 37,398 MILES WHEN THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. *NM

Mileage: 37,398

YESTERDAY MY FORD TAURUS 2003 WHILE MY CHILD WAS WITH ME HAD THE ENGINE GO WILD OUT OF CONTROL. THE ENGINE ALL BY ITS SELF STARTED RACING AT HIGH SPEED AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF IT. I HAD GOOD SENSE TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED IT INTO NEUTRAL. IT RAN THIS WAY FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER. I TOOK THE CAR RIGHT AWAY TO WESTFIELD FORD 708-354-8600 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE WENT WACKY AND NEEDED TO BE RE-PROGRAMMED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION WHEN THE CAR CAN JUST TAKE OFF BY ITS SELF WITH NO SAFETY SHUT DOWN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE MAYBE SOMEONE WAS KILLED THIS WAY BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN A COMPUTER. IF THERE WAS MORE TRAFFIC PRESENT I COULD HAVE DIED ALONG WITH MY CHILD. THE CUSTOMER REPORT FROM WESTFIELD SAYS 94490 DIAGNOSIS J# 1 06F0Z0ENGD. THE FORD PEOPLE SEEMED TO ACT LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO OTHER PEOPLE. *JB

Mileage: 84,598

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD TAURUS WITH A FIVE YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM ELDER FORD. BLOWER MOTOR WAS FULL OF WATER THAT LEAKED THROUGH THE VENT. THIS MADE IT BURN OUT. THE DEALER WANTS $420 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND COWL COVER. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, I HAVE NOT MODIFIED ANY PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. NOT EVEN THREE YEARS LATER THIS IS THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING. AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED FOR OVER $800. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AND FORD SHOULD NOT BE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF BY BUILDING JUNK. *AK

Mileage: 39,000

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN THE UP POSITION, BOTH OF THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY. IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS THE UP AND STANDARD POSITION, THE LIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *JB UPDATED 02/09/06. *JB

Mileage: 37,293

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. UPON INSPECTION BY A LOCAL MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR. WATER COULD GATHER IN THE AREA WHERE THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS LOCATED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND INSTALLED A SPECIAL KIT TO WATERPROOF THE AREA. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 48,000

DT: ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO THE ENGINE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITH A LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING, NO PREVIOUS STALLING. ONCE THE ENGINE DIED, A PERIOD OF ABOUT TEN MINUTES WOULD PASS, AND THEN A RESTART WOULD BE POSSIBLE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE NUMEROUS TIMES TO RESTART. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, WHERE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD STILL DIE. THE CONSUMER DID RETURN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED A VALVE ASSEMBLY CONTROL FAILURE AND IT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THEY PERFORMED FUEL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, RECORDER MONITOR ROAD TEST, CHECK OF BATTERY CONDITION, AND A REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. AFTER ALL OF THESE TESTS AND CORRECTIONS, THIS WAS STILL A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES, AND HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER. AFTER ALL OF THESE ATTEMPTS THE DEALER SUGGESTED TO THE CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA AND CHECK THE LEMON LAW. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

DT: 2003 FORD TAURUS. VEHICLE STALLED ON JUNE 13, 2005 AND ALL THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED FOR JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE THEN. THE CAR WILL NEVER COMPLETELY DIE, IT JUST MAD ETHE CONSUMER FELL THAT HE HAAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WHEN IT DID DIE IT WILL RESTART, AND THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

AT ABOUT 8000 MILES I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TAURUS WHEN I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF TO LISTEN TO MY VEHICLE. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CONTINUALLY TURNING OVER WHILE RUNNING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I PULLED MY BABY FROM THE VEHICLE AND RAN. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM HOOD. THE MECHANIC SAID THE SOLENOID SHORTED INTERNALLY CAUSING STARTER TO ENGAGE. WE HAVE SINCE HAD MANY STARTING PROBLEMS. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 11TH DAY IN ROW.THEY ARE ON THE SIXTH ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL CRANK, BUT NOT START. THE SECOND TRY IT WILL THEN SPUTTER AND START. THEY HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THAT DID NOT FIX IT. ALSO THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 22,500 MILES DUE TO VIGOROUS SHAKING. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD START TO VIBRATE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. AT 75 ON THE INTERSTATE THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOULD SHAKE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN QUIT FOR 30 SECONDS. THIS ROUTINE CONTINUED THROUGH OUT THE TRIP. *JB

Mileage: 8,182

I HAVE A CONCERN OF REGARDING A SAFETY ISSUE ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT, BUT WOULD DIRECT ME TO THE RIGHT SOURCE IF NOT.*AK SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2004, I CHANGED OIL ON MY 2003 FORD TAURUS. LIKE MANY VEHICLES I HAVE CHANGED OIL ON, I WAS NOT VERY PLEASED WITH THE LOCATION OF THE OIL FILTER. IT IS LOCATED BENEATH THE MANIFOLD (EXTREME HEAT) AND ABOVE THE SOLENOID FOR THE STARTER. IT WAS THE SOLENOID THAT I WAS SUSPICIOUS ABOUT AND THAT SUSPICION CAME TRUE SUNDAY EVENING. WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE OIL FILTER, OIL DRIPS ONTO THE SOLENOID. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY AN ENGINEER WOULD ALLOW A LOCATION FOR A FLAMMABLE LIQUID TO DRIP ONTO A POWER SOURCE. WHEN I USED A FILTER WRENCH TO GET THE OIL FILTER OFF, THE WRENCH KNOCKED OFF THE PROTECTIVE CAP THAT COVERS THE POWER LEADS AND GROUND TO THE SOLENOID. WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT WAS NOT A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. THE OIL WRENCH AND THE POWER LEADS MADE CONTACT AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED SPARKING. THE SPARKS IN TURN STARTED A FIRE IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MELTED THE METAL BAND THAT SURROUNDS THE OIL FILTER WRENCH. AS QUICKLY AS I COULD, I GRABBED SOME RAGS AND DOUSED THE FIRE. AS FAR AS I COULD SEE, NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. ASIDE FROM GETTING SHOCKED FROM THE SOLENOID AND GETTING MINOR BURNS I AM OKAY. HOWEVER, THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. WHAT IF I HAD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT? WOULD THE CAR AND POSSIBLY MY GARAGE BEEN ENGULFED IN FIRE? I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED THE FORD TAURUS (VALLEY FORD, FARGO) AND VOICED MY CONCERN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGREED THAT THIS SOLENOID WAS IN AN AWFUL PLACE. HE ALSO SAID TO MAKE SURE THE PROTECTIVE CAP WAS PLACED OVER THE TERMINAL LEADS OF THE SOLENOID AGAIN. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT MY NEXT STEP IS. OR, IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I AM OVERREACTING TO? I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE.

Mileage: 23,400

THE DRIVER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD FALLEN APART. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND INSPECTION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES OUT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *AK

INTERMITTENT HESITATION DURING ACELERATION. NORTH BOUND, TWO LANE CT 85. CLEAR, DRY PM. RESEVOIR TO MY RIGHT, TREES, SIGNALED FOR A LEFT TURN, NO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC. I SLOWED TO MAKE TURN, THEN ACCELERATED. I SAW A VEHICLE PULL OUT TO PASS, SEVERAL CARS BEHIND. MY CAR STARTED TO GAIN SPEED, THEN HESITATED, THE RPM STARTED TO BUILD UP. THE SUV STRUCK MY RIGHT REAR LIGHT, AND BUMPER. THE ACCIDENT SCENE WAS RUAL, OVER A MILE TO NEAREST DWELING. NO PHONE. OTHER DRIVER RETURNED TO SCENE. NO WITNESSES STOPPED. AFTER THE BODY REPAIR WORK WAS COMPLETE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SIMON FORD COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLE. PROBLEB MANIFESTED ITSELF 5 OR 6 TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. IT ALSO SHOWED UP DRIVING BACK TO SIMON FORD. DID NOT RECUR WHILE MECHANIC WAS WITH ME, FOR TEST DRIVE. PROBLEM HAS OCCURED ABOUT 12 TIMES SINCE. THE 2003 FORD TURUS CURRENTLY HAS 482 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED WITH 64 MILES, AND ACCIDENT AT 137MILES. WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS, AFTER ABOUT ONE SECOND RPM BUILDS TO ABOUT 1500 RPM, THEN HANGS THERE FOR ONE TO TWO SECONDS, BEFORE INCREASING. IT IS AS IF THE ENGIN CUT BACK TO TWO CYLINDERS, THEN INCREASES TO FOUR, AND FINANLY BACK TO SIX.*AK

Mileage: 137