2003 Ford Taurus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 4% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 38 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was taking my brother to the hospital. He was having a breathing problem. I saw the sign for quitman exit and veered in that direction. It was to soon, I went off an embankment and besides hitting some trees, debris, landed in a pond. The air bag did not deploy. I hit head on. My brother was hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #10476868, filed 2012-09, 102,514 miles“An on coming car lost control and swerved into my daughters lane of traffic. My daughter was unable to stop in time and t-boned the other car. Upon impact, the other car was split in 2. My daughters airbags never deployed. All I want to know is why her airbags never deployed. When I call the Ford motor company they told me because no one was seriously injured or killed they would not look into the matter. Thankfully everyone walked away. My daughter has a concussion and bruised ribs from the accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568635, filed 2014-03, 66,000 miles“My 2003 Ford Taurus was hit by a 1973 gmc truck on 3.04.09 at about 35 MPH. My driver's front side of the vehicle was destroyed with all electrical components impaired. My driver's side airbag did not deploy. However, the Taurus' passenger's side airbag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10261774, filed 2009-03, 79,000 miles“My vehicle was involved in a traffic accident ..the front of mine rear ended another auto..the force was sufficient to cause the passenger side front airbag to deploy but the drivers bag fail to deploy...is this a normal occurrence where one bag will deploy but not the other..if the driver of my vehicle had not been wearing the seat belt she could have sustained possible serious injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10091099, filed 2004-09, 21,000 miles“There is a defect with the master cylinder I have take the car in to the service dept four times ,there was an attemp to repair ,each time I take the car in I'm told the concern not found,,the car is under the manufactor warranty,before stoping the car will jerk when applying the brakes I have the all of the invoices”
NHTSA complaint #10046818, filed 2003-11, 15,200 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 11 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 4% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% |
| 2004 | 21 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 47 | 3% |
| 2001 | 66 | 6% |
| 2000 | 88 | 7% |
| 1999 | 40 | 5% |
| 1998 | 39 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 5% |
| 1996 | 45 | 5% |
| 1995 | 55 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 4% |
| 1993 | 54 | 3% |
| 1992 | 49 | 7% |
| 1991 | 55 | 8% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Taurus
316 complaintsSuspension
313 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
196 complaintsBody and structure
111 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsVehicle speed control
88 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsEquipment
31 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsEngine
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology