10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,188 miles

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problem #54

Jun 282010

Taurus

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the front driver side coil spring broke. The contact replaced the front coil spring and noticed that the passenger side front coil spring was corroded. The contact had not called the manufacturer regarding the front coil spring. The contact stated that the coil spring could have caused a major crash if the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. The failure mileage was 142,000.

- Hannah City, IL, USA

problem #53

Dec 122008

Taurus

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cam sensor was replaced. Approximately 5 months later the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where the cam sensor was again replaced. The failure recurred again and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the cam sensor was reset. The failure has not recurred. Approximately 1 year later while driving at approximately 20 mph the front passenger side tire blew out. Upon examining the vehicle the contact noticed the coil spring was broken and pierced the tire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the front passenger side coil spring was replaced. The contact also stated that approximately 2 months later while attempting to operate the vehicle it would not shift into gear and would not move. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was in the process of being diagnosed. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 90,600.

- Quinnesec, MI, USA

problem #52

Mar 172010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,617 miles
2003 Ford Taurus. Consumer states problems with coil springs the consumer questioned the lack of a recall for an obvious safety problem and perhaps defective material. The front and rear coil springs ruptured on the consumers vehicle. The ball joints, front stabilizer and serpentine belt all had to be replaced on different occasions. The caliper froze, and the rotors were warped. Updated consumer letter 10/27/10.

- Sanbornville, NH, USA

problem #51

Jan 212010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,107 miles
I own a 2003 Ford Taurus station wagon. I had just completed a vacation 1000+ mile trip at highway speeds. Several days later, while in a parking lot driving at a slow speed there occurred a loud metallic grinding sound, following immediately by a hiss noise with an instant collapse of my left front tire. I had the car towed into a local Ford dealer, and the diagnosis was the left front spring had broken, slashing the inside of the left front tire. Needless to say if this had occurred at highway speeds, the likelihood is that I would not be around to be entering this complaint. My repair cost was $1456.80, not covered by warranty. This raises a question: Why not? an internet check showed this Ford coil spring problem to be happening for years, despite it's obvious threat to lives! updated IVOQ 12/29/10

- New Hartford, CT, USA

problem #50

Apr 132010

Taurus

  • 51,228 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated he started the engine and accelerated approximately one foot before hearing an unusually loud bang. When exiting the vehicle he found both the driver and passengers side front tires were flat. Upon further inspection, he found that the front coil springs had fractured and punctured the tires. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The failure and current mileages were 51,228.

- Haddam, CT, USA

problem #49

Mar 162010

Taurus

  • 66,000 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving at speeds of 30 mph, the vehicle made an unusually loud noise. The weather was not a factor. Upon further investigation, the contact found the front coil spring had fractured and punctured the tire. The stabilizer bar was also fractured. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 66,000.

- Nenacooin, PA, USA

problem #48

Mar 032010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact started the ignition and the gear shifter was placed in the "reverse" position. Immediately, there was a loud explosion outside of the vehicle. The driver inspected the vehicle and observed the front driver side tire was completely flattened to the rim surface and that the coil spring was broken. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 9/13/10 updated 09/15/10

- Ann Arbor , MI, USA

problem #47

May 212009

Taurus

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving 45 mph when the tire became flat. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed her that it was a faulty coil spring. The dealer stated that the contact was lucky and that it was very dangerous to drive the vehicle with a faulty coil spring. The dealer also stated that this could have caused suspension failure and that the coil spring damaged the tire. The contact asked has the dealer if he had seen this type of failure before and he stated that he had just not to a vehicle that was so young. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not on the recall list. The contact feels that her defects are identical to the recall. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. There have not been any additional failures at this time. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Delano, MN, USA

problem #46

Feb 232010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The coil spring snapped while the contact was backing out of a parking space at 3 mph. The contact called the dealer and had the vehicle repaired. The contact did call the manufacturer and they informed him that he could file a complaint through NHTSA. The manufacturer then offered the contact coupons via email. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 72000 and the current mileage was 72,025. Updated 3/30/2010 updated 06/01/10.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #45

Feb 182010

Taurus

  • 75,000 miles
With the car parked in my driveway, started the car, placed it in reverse, the front left strut coil spring broke and punctured the tire. Complete strut assembly and tire need to be replaced. Potentially deadly crash if it happened on a freeway. Google search (2003 Ford Taurus front suspension complaints) reveals many have had a similar incident and there was a recall for this same issue for prior year vehicles. Makes you wonder if Ford ever fixed the problem before the 2003 model year, or like many other recalls the recall will be extended to cover through the 2003 model year. Research shows the manufacturer's try to achieve this to minimize the cost of the repairs as fewer cars will be in service when the recall is extended. It appears the problem is currently being investigated by NHTSA: NHTSA action number : EA08018 NHTSA recall campaign number : N/a make / models : model/build years: Ford / Taurus 2002-2003 Mercury / Sable 2002-2003 manufacturer : Ford Motor Company component : suspension:front:springs:coil springs date investigation opened : August 28, 2008 date investigation closed : open why do more people have to die before action is taken?

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #44

Feb 152010

Taurus

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when pulling out the driveway at 5 mph, he heard a crunching noise. He pulled over and noticed that the noise heightened. He saw that the left front tire was completely flat. The coil spring had broken and there was a sharp edge that punctured the tire which caused it to become flat. He took the vehicle to the dealership but the dealer did not have parts for the repair. He had the vehicle repaired at a local repair shop. He called the manufacturer and was told that there was no recall and they could not assist him. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,000.

- Clearfield, PA, USA

problem #43

Feb 012010

Taurus

  • 76,000 miles
Front coil spring broke causing the spring to cut a hole in the tire making the tire flat and the car to drop down making it extremely hard to handle and renders it no longer drivable and must be towed if it doesn't create a crash first.

- Portersville, PA, USA

problem #42

Dec 262009

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,200 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving 5 mph in reverse he heard a loud noise and he found that the driver side front tire lost air. He attempted to replace the tire with the spare, but was not able to get the tire off of the vehicle since the coil spring was stuck in the tire. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic who replaced the coil spring, bearing plate, strut, and the tire. The total repair cost was $300. He contacted the dealer; however, a report was not taken for the failure. The dealer advised him that they would not assist with the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 73,200 and the current mileage is 73,250. Updated 02/02/10 updated 02/05/10.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #41

Dec 302009

Taurus

  • 51,348 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus SE. While driving approximately 5 mph out of a parking space the front driver's side tire blew out. Roadside assistance changed the tire which made it possible for him to drive to his residence. When the contact was replacing the spare with a new tire, he noticed that the front left coil spring was fractured. The coil spring also punctured the spare tire and caused tread wear. There were no recalls for his year, make and model vehicle. The failure and current mileages were under 51,348.

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #40

Dec 302009

Taurus

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus purchased in 2003. When attempting to put the vehicle in reverse he heard a loud bang coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The front driver's side tire became flat. Her roadside assistance attempted to change the flat tire, but noticed that the front coil springs had broken and punctured the front tire through the sidewall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was awaiting repairs to date. There were no recalls. The failure and current mileages were under 43,000.

- Riverview, MI, USA

problem #39

Dec 292009

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 15 mph on a road surface covered with gravel ice she heard a noise outside of the vehicle. Next, the front end of the vehicle began to shimmy. She pulled to the side of the road, and noticed that the front driver side tire was deflated. She exchanged the tire with a spare tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent and the coil spring was in the process of being replaced. The failure and current mileages were 153,000 updated 2/1/10 the front coil spring broke in half. Updated 02/02/10.

- West Concord, MN, USA

problem #38

Dec 242009

Taurus

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving she heard a clinging noise from the front end of the vehicle. Upon further inspection he noticed that the coil spring on the driver-side front of the vehicle fractured, and then punctured a hole inside of the tire. A technician from the dealer stated that new springs and a tire needed to be installed. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified, and he was not provided with any assistance. The current and failure mileages were 83,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #37

Aug 302009

Taurus

  • 115,000 miles
Coil spring snapped off went through tire and popped tire - fortunately happened in driveway backing out - if this happened on the road someone could have been killed.

- Palmyra, NY, USA

problem #36

Aug 022009

Taurus

  • 115,000 miles
My 2003 Ford Taurus ses was parked in my driveway, when I noticed my front driver side tire had gone flat. Behind the tire, I noticed the coil spring was broken and the broken end of it was fully gouged into the side of my tire. With the coil broken, the vehicle was not drivable and I had to have it towed to a repair shop, and will have to get both coils replaced (can't replace just one) as well as the plastic arms/ struts, and the tire (approx $700 repair). The tire was almost new and the car is in good condition with less than 120,000 miles and a clean history, with regular, scheduled maintenance.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #35

Jun 282009

Taurus

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While backing the vehicle out of the garage at 5 mph, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The noise was followed by another loud banging noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and noticed that the front driver's side tire was completely flat. The coil spring was wrapped inside the tire. Through research, he found an open investigation (EA08018 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs)). The contact lives in a state that is high in salt, but he found no corrosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the shop being repaired. The manufacturer would not assist because there were no recalls. The current and failure mileages were 99,000. Updated 07/24/09.

- East Haddam, CT, USA

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