Problems with 2003 Ford Taurus POWER TRAIN

Transmission failed unexpectedly while driving and without any warning whatsoever. *tr

Cpsc# i1240221a. 2003 ford taurus. consumer stated the transmission failed unexpectedly and without warning while driving. *ln

I was driving down the road doing 45 mph and without warning i lost all power. no gears will work. it seems as if all gears are like neutral. engine starts and runs fine but no gears will work. transmission wont work. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. a local mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle would need a new transmission. the manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. the dealer was not notified. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 77,000.

Car was slowly approaching red signal at major busy traffic intersection. while car was still moving, signal turned green. but, with neither unusual sounds nor other advance warnings, the engine lost all ability to transmit power to the transmission, creating an urgent emergency situation for safely transiting the intersection as well as bringing the car to a full controlled stop out of way of considerable fast moving traffic. then had to deal with my visually-handicapped wife and significant foodstuffs just purchased, plus tow arrangements to our ford dealer. ford service determined cause clearly resulted from catastrophic failure of faulty torque converter because of stripped splines. repairs cost over $1,300 just for torque converter replacement. however, transmission could still fail suddenly from undiscovered internal damage caused by broken torque converter, requiring significant additional cost for rebuilt transmission. now, it's like a "russian roulette" experience each time we get in the car, something two elderly seniors really are not well-equipped to deal with!

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph the transmission failed and he was unable to shift into any gear. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 95,000.

Automatic transmission quit working with no warning. could have caused serious damage. luckly car was already parked. ford motor company should have a recall on all 2003 ford taurus transmissions, someone is seriously going to be hurt by this problem. *tr

As i accelerated after stopping at a stop sign , there was a noise, the car coasted a short distance and stopped. i could not put the car in drive or reverse. i had no warning of this failure, no slippage or noises, and had i been in traffic, i would surely have been hit in the rear by any car behind me. i understand this is a common problem with the taurus and shudder to think how many accidents may have been caused by similar failures. i am the original owner of this vehicle and have religiously followed ford's recommendations for service. i realize this is a 2003 vehicle, but with only 52,000 miles i did not expect this failure. i received estimates up to $2600 to repair, but was told by one knowledgeable and honest mechanic, that the torque converter is usually the cause of transmission failure in a car with low mileage, dismantling proved the converter to be the problem. by rebuilding my transmission i saved a substantial sum, but this information is not easily available to consumers; leading many to spend more money than necessary to repair. although well past any warranty, i do feel the transmission was inferior. this repair might have been covered if i were a high mileage driver. *tr

I am disabled and my son and i had the same type of car a 2003 ford taurus. about a year ago my sons car just suddenly had its transmission stop working he said there was no signs before it happened, but i thought he was just not paying attention. well today 03/31/12 my 2003 taurus did the exact same thing and there was no warning it just was like it was kicked out of gear. i depend on my car because of my physical condition. however being left stranded at the side of the road without any help was a big problem. *js

I turned my car on and reversed out of my driveway. when i hit the street my car would not budge. the car turned on but would not move leaving me stranded in the middle of the street with my two small children in the car. i believe these cars are dangerous and have found a large community online that has had the same problem or worse with these cars. i contacted ford and they told me that they don't care and will not recall these cars. someone with a similar experience on a forum directed me here to file a complaint. my car had less than 65,000 miles on it and was well maintained. this should not have happened. *tr *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate independently. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic advised that the transmission would have to be rebuilt. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 179,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. while driving approximately 10 mph, the transmission failed without warning. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and had not been diagnosed or repaired. the contact planned to notify the manufacturer of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving 40 mph and merging into traffic, but when the accelerator pedal was engaged the vehicle did not respond. there was and increase in the engine rpms, but the vehicle then stalled instead of accelerate. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 50,000. the vin was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that the vehicle would lose power without warning. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and a diagnostic was performed. the failure was located as the transmission torque converted having failed due to defective material. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vin was not available. the approximate failure and current mileage was 69,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate abnormally. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostics where the mechanic stated that the transmission would have to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

Sudden transmission failure. car went from drive to neutral without warning, and then won't enter any gear. fortunately we weren't on a busy freeway at the time. *tr

On this sunday, i had made three previous stops, without incident. i was turning into an intersection, when, without warning, i had no power. the transmission had failed! i coasted to the side of the street and called aaa. i had the car towed to a firestone dealer. the verdict on monday was an internal transmission failure. i then had the vehicle towed to a local ford dealer. i was subsequently informed that i would need a new transmission. the new transmission cost $3287.51; towing costs were $122.00! i am the original owner of this vehicle, and the transmission was always maintained properly. there should be no reason for this transmission failure. there is a website that lists several hundred complaints about the 2003 ford taurus automatic transmission. i have also registered this complaint with the ford motor company. ford should recall this vehicle, considering the hundreds of transmission failures reported for the 2003 taurus, and fully compensate owners, who, in cases like mine, have spent thousands of dollars. *tr

Pulling out of driveway at work onto delhi pike a 4 lane highway to make a left turn (rush hours traffic) got out to lane started down road, engine just revved car quite running, rush hour traffic 35 mile hr zone. called ford, no recalls (was told not enough complaints filed). ford really did not even seem concerned or act like they cared about it. i guess since the vehicle is 2003 and it is now 2011. sorry about my luck, was how ford approached it. it cost $2231 to repair. thank god i am alive if this would have quit in middle of the left turn i could have been killed. is it going to take deaths to make this a recall, it is quite obvious there is a problem. my car had 52520 miles on it, most vehicles this is just broke in. car complaints.com there are over 200 complaints about the same thing. imagine going 70 on highway semi behind you all of a sudden you slow up have no way to get off highway, i guess the semi runs over top of you killing you and how many other people, either in your car or chain reaction. ford and the nhtsa need to step up, and help out. how many people out there did not file a complaint, or know this is a known problem with the ford taurus. *tr

Came home on my 03 ford taurus working great the next day turned on the car to go to work started great put it in gear to leave and no go will not go forward or back. friends and family told me transmission might have gone bad but the strange thing is no warning signs lucky for me it failed outside my house. explored the internet and found out that the 03 ford taurus has a faulty transmission. *tr

Car starts to accelerate by itself without pushing on the gas pedal and doesn't stop till it is shut off. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle would not respond to the contact's attempts to accelerate or reverse. the vehicle was then taken to a private mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and the failure was located in the transmission pump.the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 87,000.

The transmission just stopped working with no prior indications of any problems. i have been told that it was the torque linkage that needs to be replaced. when i looked this up i line i saw many people who have had the same problem. *kb

Vehicle made noise while driving on flat ground. asked passenger if they heard the noise and they did not. car continued to drive approximately 2 more miles. car started to fail while driving uphill. the car made a revving sound and then stopped moving. turned flashers on and pulled over to the side of the road. scared that car would not park. tried to change gears and vehicle went into park. still scared so hand brake was applied. called father and uncle to move car. car had to be pushed backwards down the hill into a parking space at a secondary school. next day, car was towed to residence. vehicle will be towed to transmission specialist in february for diagnosis. had to worry about getting to work to even pay for repair. scared to imagine the cost. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that the gear shifter would not shift into drive or reverse. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

I was just driving along and all of a sudden the rpms just went up and i started to slow down,pulled over to the side of the road and tried shifting in reverse and then drive and would not move,rpms just went up when i stepped on the gas. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving 30 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 38,000. updated 02/09/12*lj the consumer stated when he pulled onto a street, the vehicle lost all its gears. the torque converter had to be replaced. updated 02/28/12

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus station wagon. the contact was entering a parking space when the vehicle stalled on without warning. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the torque converter and pump shaft failed. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vehicle was in the process of being repaired. the failure and the current mileage was approximately 159,000. the vin was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. while parked, the contact moved the gear shifter into reverse but the vehicle would not respond. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where the mechanic advised the contact that the transmission would have to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that while accelerating from a red light, the engine rpms increased but the vehicle would not move. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 138,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact started the vehicle, but was unable to shift into any gear. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileages were 82,000. the vin was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact started the ignition and attempted to shift into reverse but the vehicle would not respond. the vehicle would not operate in any gear which was selected. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the faulty transmission was replaced with a new manufacturer's transmission. one week later, the transmission failed as the contact attempted to enter a driveway. the vehicle was towed back to the mechanic where the transmission was being replaced with another manufacturer's transmission. the manufacturer was notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 82,000. updated 5/12/11 *cn

2003 ford taurus. we were driving down the road and the engine revved up like it was in neutral. no power at all. the car started slowing down in traffic and there wasn't anything that we could do about it. we coasted over to the shoulder of the roadway. we put the car in reverse - nothing, put the car in drive - nothing. we had the car towed to the mechanic. it will cost $2,500.00 to fix. the car only has 53,000 miles on it. ford knows about the defective transmissions on these cars but fails to do any recalls. *tr

In the middle of a busy intersection, the transmission suddenly quit. the motor continued to run fine, but i had no forward power. i had to coast through the intersection. i was on a slight uphill incline and was able to put the transmission in park. cars were passing me on both sides. fortunately someone stopped and helped me push the vehicle to the side of the road. a very scary situation for a while. *tr

Driving down the highway on nov. 24, 2011 and all of a sudden car lost driving power. coasted to the side of the road and can not drive car. will not drive, reverse, nothing. car turns on but will not drive. transmission fluid is red and does not appear to be leaking. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated that when first starting the vehicle, the transmission would not engage. the contact mentioned that she tried shifting into reverse to drive but the vehicle did not respond. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 118,000.

Was going to work on 11/13/2011 at 5a.m., warmed up car , jumped in said car put it in reverse ...nothing; put it in drive....again nothing= blown transmission...no warning at all!! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact stated the transmission failed on the vehicle without warning. the contact stated there was no slippage or leaks coming from the transmission. the vehicle was inspected by the dealer and it was determined the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. the contact stated the failure was a manufacturers defect. the failure and current mileage was 93,400. updated 01/18/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would not going into any gear, except park. updated 01/27/12

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving 55 mph when the transmission failed. the vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic who advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 51,175.

My 2003 ford taurus has 39,464. i got in it to go to work, started it, put it in reverse and car would not move. i tried drive and nothing. i have been doing research on this problem, and find this issue is very common in the 03 taurus, and other ford vehicles with this transmission. i was lucky enough not to be driving when this happened, as a lot of the people i have read about. the problem being a defective torque converter. i understand that you opened an investigation in july of 2009, with aprrox. 3000 reports of this part failing. ford needs to have a recall on these parts, before someone is killed. this is my first step in complaining about this matter, but it is not my last. *tr

Total transmission failure out of no where. multiple other phantom engine failures/engine inexplicably dies. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving 20 mph when the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. the vehicle was towed to an automotive shop where it was diagnosed that the torque converter failed. the vehicle was repaired with a new torque converter and input shaft. the failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 85,000. updated 03/28/12 *bf updated 04/09/12

I was driving on a major highway with my children and all of a sudden my car's transmission light came on, my car started bucking, and soon lost power and i was forced to put my car in park in heavy traffic and restart it. *kb

i own a 2003 ford taurus with 85,172 miles on it. on a recent trip out of town, the transmission went out with no warning,and we had to be towed home over 100 miles. after some research ,i have found that many owners of 2003 ford taurus' have had the same problem with no warning of the transmission going out. it appears to be an internal problem in the transmission itself. i found 164 complaints on the car complaints/ford website concerning this transmission problem. it cost me over $3600 to have the transmission replaced. that is over half what the blue book value is on my car! i want to know if ford has looked into this problem on the transmissions? with that many 2003 ford taurus transmissions going out, seems to me there should be an investigation or a recall on them. i would appreciate someone checking into this problem. i really love my taurus, but am very upset that the transmission went out on a car that has been taken care of by ford dealerships for everything from oil changes to brakes, air conditioner, etc. always had the service done at the intervals that ford motor company determined needed to be done. the ford dealership is the only ones that have done any service on my car other than tires.i feel that i have done everything to keep my car in perfect condition and am terribly disappointed that this problem happened. please would you check into this problem and see if there should be a recall on these transmissions?? this is a safety issue to me! if the car had stopped while we were driving 70 mph on the freeway, it could have been deadly to us and others! thank you! *tr

I stopped at a signal light waiting to make a left hand turn. the light turned green so i pushed the accelerator and thankfully just cleared the busy intersection. i was in the outside lane of traffic and the car just stopped. i drifted to the curb. the motor still running. put the car in park and then in gear. pressed the gas. nothing happened. i could tell by the sound the car was not going into gear. i turned the engine off then restarted the car. put into gear, pressed gas nothing happened. it just sat there. i had no problems or prior symptoms with this car. no warning signs! this problem could result in some very serious accidents. after talking to a local mechanic he told me that the problem i had was a very common problem with the ford taurus esp. the 2003 model. he had replaced several torque converters on ford taurus' lately. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving approximately 15 mph in a parking lot and upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission unexpectedly failed to respond. the vehicle was being towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. the contact stated the failure was related to the torque converter which was a common issue. the manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 55,000. the vin was unavailable.

While driving on a very busy road, my transmission quit. i had nothing but neutral. there were no warning signs that it was going to fail, it went from working perfectly to having no gears (forward or reverse). luckily i was able to coast to a safe spot to park and wait for a tow. the transmission had to be replaced, it was not repairable. the car had approximately 45,000 miles on it.

Driving 2003 ford taurus in heavy traffic on overpass champaign illinois. rpm's soared and drivetrain completely stopped moving car forward. we coasted to safe parking. had car towed to transmission mechanic and he stated that ford should be ashamed of themselves and to keep the receipt of what i had paid in excess of $1200 for new torque converter. i have exact dates in september 2011 to include full receipts in storage at this time. had i not been as skilled a driver, many could have died in such abrupt drivetrain failure, no warning!!!!!! we want a full refund for want we had to pay, to include towing. we have moved from illinois to florida, i am on disability and would appreciate some attention to such a large amount we had to pay for such a dangerous condition. please contact me if you need additional information and copies of our receipts from the reputable mechanic. thank you. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. the contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle would not accelerate. the contact merged the vehicle to the shoulder. the engine was still running but the vehicle would not shift into gear. the vehicle was towed and a mechanic informed the contact that the torque converter would need replacing. the dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 70,000.

It should be a transmission problem. when i was driving at 65mph the car lost dragging force suddenly and i had to push the car to the emergency zone. then i cannot move the car anymore with any shift (r, d, od, 1). i found many 03 taurus had the same problems from some other websites. the model should be recalled because it has nothing warning sound or damage clue. *tr

Was driving down highway with my 2 children in the car, going speed limit 65, when car failed to engage, engine revved but car would not go forwards or backwards, almost hit by on coming traffic while stuck in road. rest of car is like new......... wtf? *tr