2003 Ford TAURUS: complaints, problems and recalls

THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012064 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS AUTOMATICALLY KICKED IN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016015 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN OVERDRIVE THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN OVERDRIVE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *MR

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017236 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL THE VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM OVER DRIVE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE GAINED SPEED AND APPEARED TO BE IN A "FREE WHEELING" MODE. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL. MR SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017337 at NHTSA ↗

SHIFTING FROM OVERDRIVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WENT INTO FREE-WHEELING MODE. MR *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019643 at NHTSA ↗

THE FUEL LINE RUBBED ON THE BODY OF THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE PAINT TO COME OFF. *JB THE FUEL LINE PRESSURE REGULATOR RUBBED ON THE RIGHT STRUT HOUSING AND CREATED SPARKS. *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020364 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ONE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED AND ONE WAS INJURED. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. *NLM...*AK *CB *NLM *PH *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021665 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022123 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)

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.

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

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.

Reported: 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)

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

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

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

Reported: 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.