2003 Ford Taurus Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,423miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 2% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,423 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car had caught on fire and the police officer and the firemen said it was a electric fire. My car was sitting in front of my apartment building at 8:30 p.m. And that between 3 and 4 a.m. A car that caught on fire and I was not even driving it was just sitting there park.”
NHTSA complaint #10893337, filed 2016-08, 168,357 miles“When accelerating to go up a slight incline, the vehicle surged and lost all gears. I let my vehicle coast to a stop and put it in park. The vehicle will go into and out of park, but when placed in any gear is motionless....will not move in reverse, or drive. This vehicle only has 52000 original miles on it!”
NHTSA complaint #10545626, filed 2013-09, 52,300 miles“Was driving in traffic when throttle became stuck open. Engine revved high. I put it into neutral, applied the brakes and pulled over. Engine was revving at 4000 RPM's. Open engine hood and noticed the throttle cable mount/harness had broken loose and came out of alignment. I then drove home and tried to call a service station, but it was after 5pm on saturday and could not find an open service station. Will call Ford on monday morning.”
NHTSA complaint #10522422, filed 2013-06, 130,600 miles“I purchased the car 11/17/2018 from earls credit auto sales in portsmouth on airline blvd ; it rode well until 11/30/2018 when I drove to the barbershop in the greenbrier area of chesapeake va. I went to pull out the parking lot and my car started to shake real heavy and sloppy so I parked it and turnt it off , when I tried to start it up it would not start it kept stalling I called the dealerships auto shop they took the car and held it and claim they were working on it , I picked the car up when it was ready 12/04/2018. …”
NHTSA complaint #11163016, filed 2018-12, 123,000 miles“Went to my mothers for thanksgiving dinner. On the way home going 55 mile an hour the car stared excelling in speed. My husband was driving and knew to put the car in neutral to get the car to stop. He had to constantly stay on the brakes to slow it down. We got the car home, I looked on line and saw the complaints on your website. My husband then took the car to the local for dealership. He took a copy of the complaint with him. Ford service dept. Said they didn't want to see that article and wanted $80 to even look at the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491733, filed 2013-01, 92,900 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 9% |
| 2016 | 12 | 14% |
| 2015 | 33 | 12% |
| 2014 | 16 | 7% |
| 2013 | 70 | 12% |
| 2012 | 11 | 14% |
| 2011 | 40 | 21% |
| 2010 | 37 | 18% |
| 2009 | 6 | 9% |
| 2008 | 20 | 11% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 8% |
| 2005 | 68 | 9% |
| 2004 | 25 | 7% |
| 2003 | 23 | 2% |
| 2002 | 9 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 5 | 0% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 5 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 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 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsEquipment
31 complaintsFuel system
24 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