2003 Ford Taurus Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,488miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 4% of the 1,223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,488 miles. 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.
“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“On the above date the transaxle in this car quit working. The torque converter broke a gear. It is my understanding this is prevalent in the 2003 Ford Taurus and the 2003 windstar vans. Ford recalled the windstars but not the Taurus'. I had it ,the transaxle,rebuilt and put only 3000 to 3200 miles from the date of this repair. About 5 weeks ago the same thing happened. It is my understanding this is a prevalent problem with these vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670980, filed 2015-01, 118,000 miles“All my lights work except my brake lights and nobody can figure it out. Also know I have to start it in numeral only. It was stationary I think I just know it happen at the same time and no body knows why”
NHTSA complaint #10940029, filed 2017-01, 149,000 miles“My battery discharge light came on then the ABS light, the brake light and others. I have taken it to a repair shop and neither he nor I can find the battery drain. The computer doesn't show anything. At times if its raining the wipers go as does the heat or air blower. I have also noticed the transmission not shifting correctly. My main concern is the engine stopping or the brakes not working and I have had my wipers not work in a rain storm . Any advice?”
NHTSA complaint #10585490, filed 2014-04, 120,000 miles“There is a recall on my car, but my VIN was never entered. Therefore a notice was never sent out to recall the vehicle. Ford randall reed and reynolds Ford in oklahoma city refused to do the recall repair. The Ford customer service rep confirmed my car came from the plant that had the recall and that there was never a repair/notice because the VIN hadn't been entered. They gave another phone number, but that number only speaks to dealerships. My car will not shift out of park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550301, filed 2013-10, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V106000Mar 2, 2004Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could…Covers: Ford Taurus 2000–2003, Mercury Sable 2000–2003
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 9% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 2% |
| 2012 | 12 | 15% |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 24 | 2% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 14 | 3% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 27 | 3% |
| 1995 | 25 | 2% |
| 1994 | 50 | 5% |
| 1993 | 140 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 2% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
| 1990 | 6 | 2% |
| 1989 | 8 | 1% |
| 1988 | 6 | 2% |
| 1987 | 6 | 2% |
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 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