9.1
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,888.00
Average Mileage:
91,611 miles
Total Complaints:
225 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace transmission (96 reports)
- not sure (63 reports)
- replace torque converter (27 reports)
- sitting in drive way trying to figure something out (18 reports)
- rebuilt the transmission replacing only failed parts (16 reports)
- scrap it! (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
2012Feb 24
Taurus SE 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 180,253 miles
Was on my way to take my son to the hospital for an ultrasound for possible gullstones, stopped at a stop sign, began to make a left hand turn, engine would not engage. Luckily my husband was with me & he was able to safely push us off the side of the road. Needless to say we did not make the appointment & was stranded on the side of the road for nearly an hour before we was able to find someone to pick us up. Had the car towed to a mechanic only to find out the transmission was going to need to be replaced then had to pay another tow fee to have it towed home because we could not afford to have it fixed. No warning what so ever, have had the car for almost three yrs & never any kind of indication of transmission problems. Could not believe it when I got online & seen SO many complaints about the same problem. What is even more troubling is that Ford isn't doing anything about it! Thank God I have not read any complaints, yet, of injuries or deaths caused by this problem.Unfortunetly I guess thats what has to happen before Ford wakes up & does something. Have never had much luck with Ford vehicles but this one takes the cake. I will never own another Ford!!
2012Mar 31
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
i am disabled and my 2003 ford Taurus had its transmission go out without warning leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere at 5 in the morning
2012Mar 09
Taurus SES 3.0V6
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
My husband and I bought this car for my son to get back and forth to college . We own two other ford vehicles including a 2002 Taurus that has 170,000 miles and never had any complaints just the normal maintenance. We haven't even had this car a year and already spent almost $2,000.00 to replace tie-rod ends, front struts, axle shafts, front wheel bearing etc. Of course the dealer offered no warranty on it but they said it they checked it out and there were no issues. We also looked up the car fax reports and didn't see any major issues. While driving to school this past Friday, my son passed through the intersection and tried to accelerate and nothing- he pulled to the side of the road and walked home. AAA towed the car to my driveway where it now sits. Car starts, don't go nowhere- REALLY Ford knew about this problem and never had a recall- I used to stand by Ford vehicles and their quality- now I'm not so sure and being one of many loyal customers for years I believe that they should take responsibility for this problem and fix it at no cost to the customers. Now I have to sink another $2,000.00 or more dollars into it- it cost me more to fix then it was to purchase- that is some serious bullshit!! I will be filing complaints to Ford and NHTSA!! In this economy with gas prices rising and people losing jobs , nobody has this kind of money to fix what apparently has been this model years' problem and Ford knew about it. I would like to continue to buy American vehicles but it is becoming harder to do so with outrageous prices and money it costs to fix- it's no wonder our car industry is going to sh*t!!! Stand up and do what is right FORD!!!!!!!
2010Aug 01
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
Had the cruise control set at 70, going down the interstate, and all of the sudden the engine popped, the RPMs went sky-high making this horrible high-rev sound, and then that's it - no control, no gas, no nothin'. Just coasting in neutral, 5 miles from the nearest exit in the middle of nowhere. Took hours to walk / get help. Got devoured by mosquitos. Glad the wife & kids weren't with me...
Mechanic said it looked like my transmission "exploded" and was surprised there was no fire or more serious control issues associated with it. Said I was lucky. Easy to say when you get a $2000 check to completely replace 200 parts, huh?
2012Feb 13
Taurus SE 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
63,000 miles, failed transmission. Always took care of it, kept up on fluids and maintenance. UNACCEPTABLE. Drove about an hour on the highway, got off the highway, stopped at a red light. Light turned green, transmission was dead. Same thing happened with an older Ford Taurus I owned. I will never buy anything from Ford again.
2012Mar 02
Taurus LX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
I bought this piece of sh*t new. For what I paid for this car, I feel this should not have happened. Ford claims they had no knowledge of this problem with the 03 taurus, but I know they're full of sh*t and a lot of other things. FMC should be should make good for this,
but we know that the greedy mouth mothers won't.
2012Feb 15
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
There are so many other owners of 2003 Ford Tauruses who have reported the same problem on this site: failed transmission with no warning! Most people know that teachers don't make a lot of money. Imagine how much less we make when we retire.Therefore, I won't be able to get my car repaired any time soon. Someone told me that F.O.R.D. was an acronym for "fix or repair daily." I didn't believe it because I took great care of this car, and I was surprised when the transmission went out. I guess I should have believed them.
2011Dec 10
Taurus SES 3.0L Single
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Was driving fine, had just changed filter and fluid three weeks prior. Tried to pull off from stop light and nothing. felt like i was in netural. No forward no reverse. Neighbor said same thing happened to his daughters Taurus and he changed the torque converter and now it drives fine. Ford transmissions suck.
2008Apr 15
Taurus SE V6
- Automatic transmission
- 37,000 miles
I'LL GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT MY 2003 TAURUS ON ANOTHER DAY, BUT FOR NOW...GO TO AOL NEWS ABOUT FORD TAURUS POLICE VEHICLES. I POSTED THE TAURUS 2003 TRANSMISSION NIGHTMARE I EXPERIENCED. AND YOU SHOULD TOO. IT'S A HIGH PROFILE SPOT...MANY EYES ARE READING.
2012Feb 22
Taurus SD 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 89,000 miles
My friend was driving the car from Amarillo to Canyon when the transmission failed and she almost wrecked on the Highway in between. I just bought the car from Gene Messer Ford Dealer in November of 2011 and this is the second thing go wrong in as few months. It is a nice car but it is a peace of junk.
2012Jan 25
Taurus LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 57,000 miles
My mom went to pick up my daughter from school,no problem.Then she went to the grocery store,no problem.Drove home,parked car outside my house,no problem.The next day she went to pick up my daughter from school,big f----ing problem!Car will go into drive and reverse,but will not go anywhere! Its a 2003 Ford Taurus with 57,000 miles on it,surely it is not the transmission.After reading all these complaints,it sounds way to familiar.My wife had a 91 Ford Thunderbird back in the day and the transmission crapped out on it too! I am starting to put 2 x 2 together.Ford makes terrible transmissions that can go out on you at the worst times and places,with no warning what so ever! Ford did not need the bail-out but I sure could use one! Does this car even have a transmission warning light? FORD BLOWS!!!! NEVER BUY A FORD!!!!
2011Dec 06
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
I've been driving a friend of mine's ford Taurus for about 2 months now because my own car broke down a while back. So anyways, about a week ago I had driven to pick my son up from the boys and girls club after work. It had driven fine all the way there and just fine through the parking lot on our way out. But as soon as we pulled onto the road and I hit the accelerator to start speeding up the car acted as if it was in neutral and wouldn't speed up. I coasted over to the side of the road and put the car in park then tried to put it back in drive. It would not engage into any gear whatsoever, not reverse, nothing. The shifter would move up and down easily but would not catch into any gear. The motor was still running fine and the heater was blowing, radio working etc. just could not get the car to move. Fortunately, a guy stopped and helped me push the car back into the parking lot (since we hadn't even gotten all the way past the boys and girls club) it rolled with no trouble when we pushed it. Got it into a parking space and turned it off for a while then restarted it, which it started fine, tried the gears again but still nothing. As of now the car hasn't been towed to a shop yet so I'm not sure what the answer to the problem will be. At first I thought I was bad luck or something because my own car had just recently broke down too but now that all see all of these stories of similar incidents I see that this was bound to happen sooner or later with this car. Its just really unfortunate and ridiculous that Ford hasn't made a recall with all the complaints that have been filed.
2012Jan 23
Taurus SE 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 49,490 miles
Tranny failed on highway traveling around 68-70 mph, I coasted to the break down lane and waited for 1 1/2 hrs for AAA to tow me. No warning, no nothing. This is a major issue Ford has, I could have been killed! Please let me know if there is going to be a class action law suit, count me in! I have no Idea what tranny job is going to cost, but I will let you know.
2012Jan 20
Taurus SW 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
This is quite upsetting as I have found 211 reports on the same issue with my car. I called Ford today at 800-392-3673 to find out if there is a recall based on the high number of failures on this car. There is not. However they told me that there may be in the future if enough documented complaints are reported. SOOO if any of you have not reported your transmission problem to Ford DO IT! Even if you already had your vehicle repaired, if you kept the receipt you can be reimbursed if they finally recall this transmission.
My car has roughly 80,000miles My husband was on the way home and just as he got off the main road and coming up the hill to our house it lost gear. It will go into park, any other gear it revs like its in neutral. There was NO warning this was about to fail. Upon first glance it appears to have TOO MUCH transmission fluid. We have never put any in it. It doesnt leak, or up to this point was not malfunctioning. Levels would be checked when I had my oil checked and there never was a problem. So the initial diagnosis is the pump has failed and is not pulling the fluid through the transmission and that is giving the appearance it has too much fluid in it.
Estimate repair cost at this point are $1,500 to $2000+ not something I would like to spend on a $6,000 car!
2012Jan 18
Taurus SES
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 11PM AND STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE OFF THE CAR IDLED HIGH AND WOULD NOT GO BACK IN ANY GEAR.HAD IT TOWED TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND WOULD COST ABOUT 1440 -2700 TO REPAIR.I HAD JUST GOT BACK MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR OUT THE BODY REPAIR SHOP THE SAME DAY AND HAD TO PAY 186 DOLLARS FOR CAR RENTAL.JUST LIKE A LOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL.LIKE A LOT OF OTHERS ON HERE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT.IF ANY ONE STARTS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PLEASE LET ME KNOW ,I WILL WANT IN ON IT.I THINK FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THESE REPAIRS.
2011Sep 27
Taurus LS 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
Same symptom as most everyone, wifey was a stop sign pressed the gas and nothing,no noise at all,like it was in neutral. when i first bought the car with 14k on it i noticed it really was wound up when you would shift it from park to drive. The wheel hub assembly has been chirping on the drivers side for about 2k miles so i thought maybe it damaged the CV joint. I had the bearings already so i ordered a CV from Gearheads.com and began the procedure. right off it was a pain when i found out that every effing nut had factory locktight from the factory,couldnt get the lower ball joint off with the OTC tool so I had to buy a Taurus adapter for the tool, Cha-Ching,make sure you disconnect the ABS sensor because it aint coming out seperate from the spindle, Cha-ching!
so i get in the new ball joint,CV after spending a good two hours cleaning up old locktight and cleaning up the spindle and breaks in general, I start the spindle/CV nut to have it place for when i lower the car and the wheel begins to rotate,i'm thinking are you effing kidding me! my tranny's shot! all the time/parts and tools for this! If that aint bad enough i have a 03 taurus ticking tranny time bomb wagon too. I'm not sure how to prevent this, most people will tell you not to change out tranny fluid just add when it's needed. what i'm going to do for that wagon is instead of adding fluid to the tranny i'm going to add Ford friction modifier for rear differentials,this should help the clutches and the convertor.
2012Jan 09
Taurus EX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 149,210 miles
I don't know where to start after reading all these other complaints about the same damn problem. Car will not go into gear just revs up when in reverse or drive, and just to think i drove this car to work today and it was fine. Like everyone else no warning or light to notify me of a problem. Now stuck with a worthless piece of crap not sure what else to do.LeviJ in nc
2012Jan 06
Taurus SES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
Ford Taurus just stopped working on a busy highway, engine rev's but trans would not engage. Pushed out of intersection. Would not engage in drive or reverse. No warning just stopped working.
2012Jan 04
Taurus LS 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 89,560 miles
I had no warning at all. Parked car, came back and car would not move forward or backward. Had car towed to local repair shop. After evaluation I got the bad news.
I located this web site and found that I am not alone. I agree that Ford should do something about this problem. Other dealers are offering 100,000 mile warranty.
Wake up Mr Ford !!!!!
2012Jan 02
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
Same thing on our 2003 Ford Taurus. We were driving down the road and the engine revved up like it was in neutral. We pulled over, put in reverse - nothing, put in drive - nothing. We had the car towed to the mechanic. It will cost $2,500.00 to fix. The car only has 53,000 miles on it. :( This is awful. Ford needs to step up to the plate & take responsibility for their defective parts.
2011Dec 31
Taurus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
this is the second time in 20000 miles. Driving 55 on Hwy 65 heavy traffic and just revved and quit. by the time I got to the side I was doing 20 mph, cars were not helpful. towed to shop waiting on bad news.
2011Nov 23
Taurus SES 3.6L Dohc
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
Not much to add about what has been said here, except that defect appears to be in pump inside transmission housing, NOT torque converter. Daughter was driving on highway with kids and tranny just stopped working... she coasted to a stop, but don't tell me this isn't a safety issue. Tranny had been maintained and was running smooth as glass until complete failure. My mechanic told me that for every one bad torque converter, there are 10 bad pumps that he has seen in this transmission. EVERYONE knew 2003 has a lemon transmission design and I will be filing my complaint with DC in the morning. I have always been a Ford guy and still am -- they're the only ones who didn't need bailing out and their new line, including Taurus, is nice -- but I wish they would own up to this one.
2011Sep 15
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
o my 62 year old handicap mother was driving her 2003 Ford Taurus with 55,000 when the car just died on her. She had the car towed to her mechanic who was in shock to find out the transmission died. He was especially amazed since she was faithful with the maintenance on the car. I called Ford to report it, they "reported it" in their computers and read me some BULL CRAP line about how since there were no recalls she would have to have it diagnosed by a Ford dealer AT HER EXPENSE and the repair would have to be made AT HER EXPENSE. So I guess Ford just accepts their cars die at 55,000 miles? Thanks Ford, it is so nice to see how you take such good care of your customers.
2011Sep 04
Taurus SES
- Automatic transmission
- 74,367 miles
F.O.R.D = FOUND ON ROAD DEAD GOING 65 ON A F*CKING HIGHWAY! Yeah my two KIDS and i were going down the highway going 65 when my car died, pushed on gas peddle and it just reeved up.... know i like cars but not when your in the middle of the highway with cars almost crashing into you going 70mph..... did ford care....of course not, no wonder why ford didn't need a bail out, THEIR PIECES OF SH*T AND DON'T FIX THEIR SH*T, NEXT CAR, IMPORT PRETTY BAD WHEN YOU GOTTA BUT OUT OF COUNTRY TO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
2011Aug 28
Taurus ES 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 158,000 miles
Wife was driving to church and out of the blue, it was like puting the car in netural. Hoping it is just the converter and not the tranny. wil cost $900.00 plus. Shame on Ford for letting this go without a recall.
2011Dec 09
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
My son was driving to work. Turned the corner and speed limit changed from 35-55 car revved then stopped. He was able to get it to the side of the road then called Dad. We towed it home. Called around. a Rebuilt tranny is going to run 700-800 plus labor and a new one is 1500 plus labor. trying to figure out how to pay this repair. This is my son's car who is in the national guard. But he's only 17 so he doesn't qualify for financing.
2011Dec 10
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 70,200 miles
I was going around a bend at the top of my street, transmission did not engage, had to drift back down the street to my driveway.
2011Aug 23
Taurus SE 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I just came across this website, when i was trying to find the cost of 2003 Ford Taurus Transmission. my story is also similar to lot of other complaints on this issue
Miles as of today 75000
Drove car for 3 miles and went for a Dr. appointment for kids , came back and drove 100 feet and here goes transmission, without any warning. I was amazed on such a poor QUALITY work of Ford company.
I was on uphill and car was going back (reverse) luckily no car or anyone was behind me otherwise it would have been more disaster.
Next steps:
While this is a good forum not sure how many people see this or if we will get any resolution in terms of monetary cost for repair etc which is in 1500-3000$, as a group either we should create a Facebook page for all such complaints for FORD, I think very difficult to get anything otherwise from such a big company.
2011Dec 06
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 167,548 miles
I was driving along earlier today at a modest speed and the car just seemed to go into neutral all by itself. No warning of any kind about there being a problem with the transmission. I was able to coast into a nearby vacant lot where I checked the transmission fluid level which was fine, but the car simply would not go into any gear at all. After doing some research and reading some of the other 200 or so similar complaints about the transmission of this particular make and model, I am very seriously considering not even attempting to repair this car. Considering the fact that I have only had this car for a little over a year, and in that time I have had to replace a waterpump, a starter, and now the transmission has gone out! This is most definitely the very last time that I will ever purchase a ford automobile!
2011Dec 05
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 116,000 miles
I was so LUCKY that I was not on the freeway because my car just lost power & wouldn't move at all. If it happened on the Freeway, I surely would have been rear ended as there was no warning! I wish Ford would recall all the Vehicles with this transmission problem.....This Is A Safety Issue!!
2011Nov 04
Taurus SES 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
This has already caused a person to loose their life. Ford needs to fix this problem. There must be a Lawyer out there that has heard about what is happening and could get everyone together and sue ford. Unfortunately it wont bring Jason back to life but hopefully it will stop someone else from loosing their life.A ll the stories that are on this internet we have to be able to do something. Its way beyond just have our vehicles fixed but a man has lost his life because of it. This is wrong ford is trying to show us that if we don't have money then we cant do anything and they can do what they want
2011Nov 29
Taurus SE/wagon V.6
- Automatic transmission
- 74,500 miles
After reading about the 186, now 187 complaints, I realize I AM NOT ALONE!!! This doesn't make it any better. I was driving about 60 mph with a friend and barely made it up a hill to a driveway(thanks goodness, not a freeway) when the acceleration stopped, tried several times to put into any gear and no response. FRUSTRATION BEGINS TO SET IN!!!!!!!!!!, but nothing like now after reading about 200 more Ford (or former) patrons and the same problem. So why the big "hush" about this universal problem....COME ON.....mechanics, salespeople and dealers........How do you expect to sell cars and service them when this many customers are irate about this major concern??. I'm all for a class action suit against
Ford Motor Co.
2011Aug 02
Taurus 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 114,300 miles
Same problem as most everyone else on this site. Driving ... No Warning No Lights No Noise Nothing go to pass tanker coming off stop light and rpms go way up but no acceleration...
2011Nov 17
Taurus SES 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 173,000 miles
wow I guess I was lucky to get the mileage I got. i was warned about the bad trannys. I was on the nyc thruway and it just failed. not one indication of a problem. I pulled over to the shoulder and had nothing, no gears at all. didn't realize it was such a big problem. I feel screwed.
2011Nov 04
Taurus SES 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
I wanted to let everyone know that has this transmission problem with their Taurus that I also filed a complaint with NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236. I am sure some have , but I think the more of us that do we will have a better chance of them making ford to file a RECALL. If they do even if you have paid for the repair then as long as you have the receipts for the repair then they will reimburse you the repair..
Update from Dec 30, 2011: I have contacted National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to report the transmission problem. They already have almost 200 reports. if we all send in reports they might make ford to make a Recall for our cars. Even if the car is already fixed. They will reimburse us for the cost as long as we keep our reciepts. I hope his will work. most of us can not afford to fix this and it should be thier responsibility because this is a safety hazzard. there has been one person that has lost thier life because of the problem.
2011Nov 13
Taurus SES
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
getting ready to leave for work at 5a.m on 11/13/11 car won't move, no warning at all. I'm an everyday working man (age 30)...paycheck to paycheck... no extra money...bank still owns the car. So I'm really pissed off trying to figure out what to do...no car to get to work,
and no money to fix this car!!!
2011Jul 02
Taurus SES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 113,110 miles
This is the third Taurus of that body style I have owned.
1st: 2001 Taurus SES w/ DOHC engine. Had 250,000 miles on it when traded. Never had any problems.
2nd: 2004 Taurus SES w/o DOHC motor. I traded my 2001 for it. It was involved in a "roller crash that hit a block wall in Nov.15, 2007. It had 190,000 miles on it when totaled. Never had any problems with it other than normal maintenance.
Do to owning the above two Tauruses I thought it be safe to buy another. My wife and I walked and rode the city bus service for 18 mos. after the accident. I owed $12,250 on the car and the other drivers' ins.co. Nationwide, you know the one that has the jingle on their commercials "Nationwide we're on OUR side".
So we purchased our 3rd: 2003 Taurus SES w/o DOHC motor. Had 85,000 miles when purchased Feb 27,2009. Date and mileage transaxle went out Sat. July 2,2011 at 8:15 pm. I too also had no warning. I too have contacted and filed a complaint with the NHTSA in regards to this matter plus another complaint about those DAMNED yellow headlight lenses. The most hazardous the auto industry has allowed to be put on a motored vehicle, second only to allowing cell phone use while driving. Lee Barry, Bristol,Va.
2011Nov 09
Taurus SES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 84,000 miles
Same problem as everyone else here Took it for emissions test and it passed with flying colors. Drove to the DMV to renew license plates. Mailed the car payment to Ford along with the insurance premium. Many miles and stops later I headed home and parked in the driveway. Went out about an hour later and it started right up but would not go into gear. The shifter moves but does not click into any gear. Reverse lights come on in the back but the car remains stuck in neutral. It will no longer even go into park mode. Had a mechanic friend come to look at it. Checked the cable, fluid, all the obvious things and everything is okie dokie. So he referred me to a transmission specialist who I will talk to next week. He advised me this is a very common problem and the repair should be around $2000.00. I'm sure I forgot to mention that I am currently unemployed, recently divorced and have no credit cards. Looks like my Taurus is going to be sitting in my driveway for quite sometime. If anyone out there is from the Chicago northwest suburbs, please let me know if you know anyone who may be able to help me....I live just north of Elgin and have no idea what to do next. I will be calling Hopkins Ford tomorrow, which is where I purchased the car from. Maybe there is some sort of Angel that works there that can help me. Hanging on a wing & a prayer with my fingers crossed!
2011Jul 07
Taurus SES 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 83,000 miles
Same problem as everybody else, transmission went out with no warning. My wife was driving and was able to coast to a safe stop. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT!
2009Oct 30
Taurus SES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
I'm pissed and i want something done about it. my transmission failed when i came to a stop.
2011Nov 07
Taurus SE
- Automatic transmission
- 57,000 miles
I WAS DOING 25 MPH, JUST WENT THROUGH A INTERSECTION AND LOST SPEED ENGINE RUNNING, EVERYTHING WORKED BUT HIT THE GAS AND ENGINED REVVED BUT NO SPEED LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ROAD INTO PARKING LOT. I HAVE PARK BUT NO DRIVE, REVERSE,ETC. RAN DIAGNOSTIC -NOTHING, TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED CLEAN NO PARTICLES IN FLUID- NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY THING HE COULD THINK OF IT BEING IS TORQUE CONVERTER! OK THIS GONNA COST OVER 1200 TO FIX. i SEE HUNDREDS OF 2003 TAURUSES HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!!
2011Nov 04
Taurus SE 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 96,115 miles
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60 AND HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP. I PUT IT IN ''N'' AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. TOWED IT HOME, CHANGED TRANY FILTER N FLUID STILL SAME PROBLEM. NOT TOO HAPPY 96,000 MILES AND HAVE TO RIP TRANY OUT ALREADY.NOT A VERY GOOD DESIGN WITH THAT LITTLE OF MILES I EXPECTED MORE FROM FORD.
2011Jul 13
Taurus SEL 3.0L
- Manual transmission
- 93,000 miles
driving my kids back from Karate practice and stop at a stop sign. Take off and then it stalls and revs high. i manage to coast to the side of the road. it won't go into any gear at all.
WTF the car has 93k miles. my wife's escort has 185k miles and still runs like a champ! i have a windstar with 188k miles and finally died (oil leak).
2011May 30
Taurus ES V6
- Automatic transmission
- 77,000 miles
I HAVE A 2003 FORD TAURUS. TODAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE ENGINE JUST FREE REVED. WOULDNT BUDGE. IT WILL SHIFT INTO THE PROPER POSITION BUT NO GEARS WILL ENGAGE. FORWARD OR REVERSE.. MEMORIAL DAY. AND WE TOOK TWO CAR LOADS OF PEOPLE TO PUSH THIS ONE CAR!!!! LOOKED FUNNY, BUT IT WASNT.PUSHED IT 2 MILES. CHEAPER THAN A TOW, AND THE NEIGHBORS RALLIED. GO TEAM.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD GUY BUT DAMN, FORD YOU ARE SERIOUSLY SCREWING THE POOCH.COME ON I KNOW YOU CAN DO BETTER. TECHNOLOGY IS SUPPOSED TO HELP, NOT HINDER!!!! I THINK I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT NOT ENTIRELY SURE. NO NOISES, NO LIGHTS, NO WARNING. FLUIDS GOOD, WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
2011Sep 17
Taurus
- Automatic transmission
- 85,172 miles
Joining the 2003 Ford Taurus failed transmission group! On a trip, using the cruise control at 70 mph, stopped at a rest stop for about 5 minutes, got back in the car, started it up, drove about 200 yards, and out of the blue with no warning at all the car would not go forward, engine would rev up, but it would not go anywhere. Ended up being towed back home over 100 miles, took it to the Ford dealer and am out $3600! I am ticked off! I love my Ford Taurus, but not sure I will ever buy another Ford if they don't do something about this problem! I cannot afford to replace my car right now. I am retired and on a fixed income!
2011Oct 12
Taurus V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
Recently purchased from a private seller the 2003 Taurus, at 49k miles. Driving with only 58k miles the car decides to just stop, no drive, no reverse, no anything, but a body.
Transmission is gone........ I cannot believe that there was not a recall for this problem! The car is in absolutely excellent condition fully loaded, you name it for a 2003 it has it.
What are we left with - a cost of $2,000.00 to fix. Too many situations with the transmission on this site for Ford not to have a recall! maybe going foreign next car.......
Ford should step up to its faults on this one!
2011Oct 13
Taurus SEL
- Automatic transmission
- 98,177 miles
Well I have joined the Transmission Failure Club!!!!! Happened last night. No warning of any kind. Just driving down the highway and then nothing. Although I must say that for the last week there has been a noise from what I thought was from a front wheel bearing. My mechanic friend assumed the same thing. Whether the two things are related, who knows. Now I'm just waiting to hear from shop to see what the cost will be. Happy Times!!!
2011Oct 11
Taurus SES
- Automatic transmission
- 39,464 miles
Yet another defective torque converter!! Actual mileage on my car 39,464!! I have filed a complaint with NHTSA and I called the Ford 800-392-3673 number and filed a complaint with Ford. I was fortunate enough not to be on the road when this happened to me, I was just trying to get to work! I cannot afford to have this fixed at this time and I do have another vehicle I can drive, which is a Ford also. If Ford does not take care of their loyal customers, or any customers on this issue, I am DONE with FORD. If you had one of these defective torque converters and had it fixed, Ford is suppose to reimburse you IF THEY PUT OUT A RECALL ON THEM! File your complaints with NHTSA and call Ford @ 800-392-3673. Let your voice be heard, or buy a Honda, which is what I will be buying from now on, if this is not resolved
Update from Nov 14, 2011: Just picked up my Taurus, paid $1295.00 to replace the stripped torque converter. I recently just filed a compaint with my State Attorney General also, along with Ford
2011Sep 30
Taurus SEL Dohc V6
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
Bought the car brand new, currently has 108K miles, up to this point no major problems to speak of. All of a sudden, went to take off while stopped at the light and the car responded as if it was in neutral. Fortunately I was able to coast into a parking lot and I was able to use AAA for the tow. I'm waiting to hear back from my mechanic now but from the postings on this site I'm expecting the worst. I can't afford another car right now (recently bought a brand new Buick Enclave that we love - so far) so I will have to bite the bullet and fix the Taurus. I am terribly disappointed to hear that this is a common problem and that Ford has done absolutely nothing about it.
2012Mar 24
Taurus SES 3.0L
no warning,i was driving down us-10, on my way back from my aunt's funeral, with my mother in the car. i started loosing speed, no matter how much i stepped on the gas the car wouldn't go. i steered the car to the side of the road & called a wrecker. which toed me to my ford dealer. i'll find out Monday what the problem is...I'm not very happy. i hear Subaru's are pretty dependable
Lisa J.
Midland, MI, USA
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