2003 Ford Taurus Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2003 Ford Taurus, 5% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 73,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “blower motor” (13% of reports).
- 67engine and engine cooling complaints
- 73,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 58%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Blower motor: mentioned in 9 of 67 complaints (13%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 49 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 67 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Taurus engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 2 | 12% | 81,000 |
| 2018 Taurus | 4 | 8% | 105,000 |
| 2017 Taurus | 1 | 2% | 17,000 |
| 2016 Taurus | 2 | 2% | 52,250 |
| 2015 Taurus | 2 | 1% | 300 |
| 2014 Taurus | 6 | 3% | 88,000 |
| 2013 Taurus | 7 | 1% | 83,500 |
| 2012 Taurus | 2 | 3% | 11,225 |
| 2011 Taurus | 9 | 5% | 15,560 |
| 2010 Taurus | 11 | 5% | 6,700 |
| 2009 Taurus | 18 | 28% | 4,000 |
| 2008 Taurus | 11 | 6% | 46,000 |
| 2007 Taurus | 22 | 15% | 42,753 |
| 2006 Taurus | 19 | 6% | 74,000 |
| 2005 Taurus | 40 | 5% | 72,000 |
| 2004 Taurus | 19 | 5% | 73,750 |
| 2003 Taurus | 67 | 5% | 73,000 |
| 2002 Taurus | 53 | 4% | 57,600 |
| 2001 Taurus | 60 | 6% | 74,328 |
| 2000 Taurus | 103 | 9% | 71,000 |
| 1999 Taurus | 81 | 9% | 65,168 |
| 1998 Taurus | 62 | 11% | 95,000 |
| 1997 Taurus | 145 | 19% | 87,734 |
| 1996 Taurus | 214 | 26% | 80,180 |
| 1995 Taurus | 352 | 29% | 76,950 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Risk: This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle overheated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated that the radiator fluid container needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…
I was driving down a side street when the car quit moving forward. I coasted to a stop and tried reverse, and it would not go in that direction either. The engine was running when this occurred. I had a baby in the car and a trunk full of groceries. I got out and checked all the fluids. They were…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle would accelerate even when his foot was not engaging the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that he was able to maintain control of the vehicle by engaging the brakes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2003 Ford Tauruss have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 67 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2003 Ford Taurus (5% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Taurus engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 73,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2003 Ford Taurus?
The most frequent phrase is “blower motor”, in 9 of 67 complaints.
Other 2003 Ford Taurus problems
- Power Train problems (316)
- Suspension problems (313)
- Visibility problems (191)
- Structure problems (111)
- Electrical System problems (97)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (88)
See all 2003 Ford Taurus problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Taurus years.