Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
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.
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.
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.
The process used to manufacture the air filter paper was altered during the 2003 model year production, which resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in air filter paper composition combined with the relatively short straight air induction system employed, under certain circumstances, may allow hot carbon debris to be transported to the air filter element during a backflow event. These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage and/or underhood fire. Correction: Dealer will replace the air filter element.
On certain vehicles, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring may render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. If the switch and/or wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not activate 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. Correction: Dealer will install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly.
Owners filed 1,223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Taurus (56 crashes, 12 fires, 59 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 39 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 318).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 316 | |
| Suspension | 313 | |
| Visibility | 191 | |
| Structure | 111 | |
| Electrical system | 97 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 88 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 67 | |
| Air bags | 46 |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Taurus.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon | – | – | – | – |
EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford Taurus version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taurus 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Taurus 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Taurus 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Taurus Wagon 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Taurus Wagon 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Taurus Wagon 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.