Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Ford Taurus

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,526 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V105000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
399,926
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-02
Owners notified
2004-03-10

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V106000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
938,789
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-02
Owners notified
2004-04-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Manufacturer 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 FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V087000

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
67,894
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-10
Owners notified
2003-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train16997,000 mi
Suspension: front14789,223 mi
Power train: automatic transmission13680,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor8653,450 mi
Vehicle speed control82105,497 mi
Structure7950,000 mi
Suspension7798,000 mi
Electrical system7578,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs7480,000 mi
Visibility5275,743 mi
Engine and engine cooling3673,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3353,000 mi
Exterior lighting30105,000 mi
Air bags2766,000 mi
Engine2395,423 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2352,000 mi
Unknown or other2380,000 mi
Service brakes22120,000 mi
Suspension: rear2275,300 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2257,500 mi
Air bags: frontal1858,000 mi
Structure: body1774,029 mi
Tires1659,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1244,076 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1261,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1210,000 mi
Steering11100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch958,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline970,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash848,000 mi
Equipment868,812 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core865,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system792,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan665,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6127,000 mi
Wheels6120,000 mi
Structure: frame and members594,000 mi
Visibility/wiper575,599 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element524,424 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator450,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip425,000 mi
Structure: body: door473,348 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid323,400 mi
Fuel system, other389,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages3101,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3149,500 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs326,837 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control384,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages350,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module228,850 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module222,500 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel243,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery24,700 mi
Electrical system: ignition2137 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2110,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2104,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights275 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices275 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights2180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system210,200 mi
Seats292,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock27,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor22,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint240,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar24,200 mi
Suspension: rear: springs273,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt219,000 mi
Air bags: side/window141,980 mi
Electrical system: software152,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly168,812 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1106,617 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)161,300 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility199,999 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights172,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail199,999 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap128,695 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery138,500 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices168,000 mi
Interior lighting1100,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: axle assembly1113,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front146,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor121,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust142,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads121,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders170,267 mi
Steering: column123,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood141,100 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid142,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint132,689 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut182,000 mi
Tires: bead119,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal117,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1135,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs14,200 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.