Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Ford Taurus engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 75 complaints for the 2003 Ford Taurus, 5% of the complaints on file.

At a glance

Complaints
75 5% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
74,000 miles 56 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
2 and 3
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2003 Ford Taurus Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 74,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 4 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 7 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 9 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 14 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 8 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 4 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 4 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 74,000 miles
Based on 56 complaints that include mileage. 36% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles4
20k to 40k miles7
40k to 60k miles9
60k to 80k miles14
80k to 100k miles8
100k to 120k miles4
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles4
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 56 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 74,000 miles, and 36% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 crashes, 3 fires.

What owners wrote

Driving on highway, vehicle suddenly lost power. Pulled off roadway. Smoke coming from under hood. Raised hood and called 911. Fire department responded to put out fire. Car fully engulfed in flames. Car total loss, front end melted, passenger area fully involved in fire. Extra ford manufacturer 75,000 warranty specifically states it will cover engine defects, etc however ford says it can't determine the cause of fire due to excessive thermal damage.

Reported at 40,000 miles, April 2005 Fire

Numerous problems!!!car died in the middle of an intersection.has happened 3 separate times. Have had car towed several times. Car won't start after being run for afew miles;will start again after cool. Mother has cancer and need this vehicle to get her to her chemotherapy and doctors appointments. Mother also uses a walker and after getting chemo treatments which physically wear her out it is extremely dangerous, frustrating, and highly inconvenient to get her into a tow truck!!!!!

Reported at 82,000 miles, March 2013

Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford Taurus

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models