2003 Ford Taurus Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 5% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It should be a transmission problem. When I was driving at 65mph the car lost dragging force suddenly and I had to push the car to the emergency zone. Then I cannot move the car anymore with any shift (r, d, od, 1). I found many 03 Taurus had the same problems from some other websites. The model should be recalled because it has nothing warning sound or damage clue.”
NHTSA complaint #10423821, filed 2011-09, 108,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway when the car started to overheat. I exited the freeway, when I came to a complete stop the oil light came on. I drove the car slowly and I started to smell burning oil and the engine started to make a knocking sound when I accelerated. I stopped the car and oil smoke was coming out of the hood.”
NHTSA complaint #10282822, filed 2009-09, 93,063 miles“Blower fan failure to operate and when it did work, it made a loud squeaking noise. Finally complete failure. System evaluatlion, fuses, circuit breakers, harnesses all good. Removed fan motor housing and fan motor. Both showed evidence of water collecting in the housing and motor itself. To correct the problem I purchased a fan motor , installed and reassembled everything. My question, is this going to happen again?”
NHTSA complaint #10323986, filed 2010-04, 41,000 miles“I was told by the dealer that the problem with my car is a the camshaft sych. It was making a chirping noise and its going to cost over 500 dollars to fix. If this is a problem with this motor why don't we fix it? There is even a service bulletin regarding this issue #04208. Please help me fix this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10245493, filed 2008-10, 95,000 miles“Once in april 2008 and again in february 2009, I have had to change the heater blower/motor in my 2003 Ford Taurus. Both times, I had a puddle of water form on the floor on the passenger side of my car before the motor went out. Both times the blower/motor was replaced with a used part.”
NHTSA complaint #10259879, filed 2009-02, 98,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V105000Mar 2, 2004On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.Covers: Ford Taurus 2003, Mercury Sable 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10019382Jan 1, 2006Camshaft tick noise - 3.0l 4v engine only.
- 10018746Nov 14, 2005Buck/jerk and miss during drive cycle above 3000 rpm - no dtc - 3.0l 2v gas and ffv engine.
- 10017916May 1, 2005Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 4 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 28% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 15% |
| 2006 | 19 | 6% |
| 2005 | 40 | 5% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 67 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 4% |
| 2001 | 60 | 6% |
| 2000 | 103 | 9% |
| 1999 | 81 | 9% |
| 1998 | 62 | 11% |
| 1997 | 145 | 19% |
| 1996 | 214 | 26% |
| 1995 | 352 | 29% |
| 1994 | 289 | 31% |
| 1993 | 638 | 41% |
| 1992 | 217 | 32% |
| 1991 | 116 | 18% |
| 1990 | 78 | 20% |
| 1989 | 97 | 17% |
| 1988 | 67 | 20% |
| 1987 | 40 | 16% |
| 1986 | 22 | 22% |
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 complaintsAir bags
46 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 27, 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