Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Ford Taurus recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,223
Latest campaign: Apr 1, 2016

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Apr 1, 2016	16E026000
Exterior lighting	1	Mar 2, 2004	04V106000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Mar 2, 2004	04V105000
Visibility	1	Mar 10, 2003	03V087000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Apr 1, 2016Latest campaign


Apr 1, 201616E026000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components disc A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16E026000 What's wrong Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc. Risk A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616. Campaign NHTSA 16E026000 · Apr 1, 2016
Mar 2, 200404V106000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT… DetailsHide details for campaign 04V106000 What's wrong CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. Risk IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. Campaign NHTSA 04V106000 · Mar 2, 2004
Mar 2, 200404V105000	Engine and engine cooling THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V105000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. Risk THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. Campaign NHTSA 04V105000 · Mar 2, 2004
Mar 10, 200303V087000	Visibility: windshield POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V087000 What's wrong CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES. Risk POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673. Campaign NHTSA 03V087000 · Mar 10, 2003

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component1,223

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,223Complaints filed

56Involving a crash

12Involving a fire

59Injuries reported · 2 deaths

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Power train	316	26	2	0	0
Suspension	313	26	3	2	2
Visibility	191	16	0	1	2
Structure	111	9	2	2	1
Electrical system	97	8	1	7	4
Vehicle speed control	88	7	6	1	9
Engine and engine cooling	67	5	3	1	1
Air bags	46	4	38	0	43
Exterior lighting	46	4	0	1	0
Service brakes	44	4	10	0	5
Equipment	36	3	1	2	0
Engine	23	2	0	2	0
Unknown or other	23	2	1	0	0
Tires	22	2	3	0	3
Hydraulic	21	2	6	0	2

15 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“Vehicle was involved in a collision with major front end damage and no airbags deployed. The brakes have been soft or spongy. I have not seen any leaks for the brake issue.”
Filed 03/10/2025 · ODI 11647520
Vehicle speed control
“At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal.”
Filed 07/21/2022 · ODI 11475206
Power train
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when taking the vehicle out of the park(P) after starting the vehicle, which required the brake pedal to be depressed, the contact could not depress the…”
Filed 04/28/2022 · ODI 11462647

Other Ford Taurus model years

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2003 Ford Taurus recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Taurus. The most recent, 16E026000 (reported April 1, 2016), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Ford Taurus?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 316 complaints out of 1,223 filed with NHTSA (26%). Across all complaints, owners reported 56 crashs and 12 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Ford Taurus?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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