Transmission Failure problems of the 2003 Ford Taurus - part 2

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle decelerated abnormally with an increase in engines rpms. The contact mentioned that the failure was encountered once before. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that there was a transmission failure and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 98,000. The VIN was not available.

I own a 2003 Ford Taurus ses with 123k miles on it. Never had a moments trouble out of it till July 1 2010. While driving to work the car just stopped pulling. Upon further investigation, I found out that the transmission had failed. I researched the problem and found out that alot of people with the same car have the exact same problem. If I had been on a busy highway this could have ended in a totally different way. This is a very bad safety issue that Ford needs to address.

2003 Ford Taurus transmission failure without warning! on I-44 in oklahoma, driving with cruise control at 75 mph, engine revved to 4500 rpm and only stopped climbing because I turned off cruise control. It was as if the transmission suddenly went into neutral. We were very fortunate that we were able to get out of very heavy traffic and coast to the shoulder of the highway. The transmission would not allow forward or reverse in any of the gear ranges. We had no prior occurrences of this problem, it came without warning! the vehicle had to be towed to a Ford dealership and the transmission was replaced with a rebuilt Ford transmission. The dealer told me it was an internal transmission failure. It cost $3171 to replace and $350 for a rental car to use to continue our vacation. We were over 750 miles from home and on the second day of vacation when it occurred.

2003 Ford Taurus v6 3. 0 se the transmission failed without warning on a busy san francisco street while making a turn and accelerating slightly out of the turn. Had to push the car out of the street at some peril to myself. I have investigated and there have been numerous complaints about transmission failures on the 2003 Taurus. Transmission has to be replaced with a rebuild. The cost is $1300. 00 plus towing fee.

My husband was driving my 2003 Ford Taurus to the corner store and the transmission failed in the middle of the road. There were no warning lights or signs leading up to the failure. Luckily my husband was able to get to the end of our quarter mile driveway were we then pushed it to the house. I am very thankful this did not happen to my three children and I when we were out shopping earlier that day. This a potentially deadly failure that I have found many cases of online.

Traveling on highway, all of a sudden when I was trying to accelerate the car would just increase the rpms. The car wouldn't move in any gears. Repair shop told me transmission failed.

Transmission failure on 2003 Ford Taurus. Car would not go forward or reverse after pulling out into traffic although the engine was running fine. On-coming traffic had to stop or swerve to avoid my stopped car. This happened with absolutely no warning or previous problems. I found 68 other documented cases identical to this incident. Tow truck driver said he has towed 68 cases himself and was aware of the problem. I called Ford and was assigned case#[xxx] but was told there is no re-call for this problem. This is definitely a "life-threatening" situation. . Read more...

On 3/31/10 I was driving my 2003 Ford Taurus southbound on I-5 in the sacramento, CA area at about 7:20 pm. Just north of richards boulevard my auto began slowing down for no apparent reason. No dashboard emergency lights came on and there was no unusual sounds. As I depressed my accelerator my rpm indicator would increase but my car continued to lose speed. I was able to safely exit the freeway and my auto coasted to a stop on a side street. I then placed my car in reverse, drive, 1 and 2 and depressed the accelerator and the car did not advance forward or backward. Car was towed to a Ford dealership on 4/1/10. On 4/3/10 a customer service manager called to tell me that they need to remove the transmission in order to diagnose problem further. The car has less than 59,000 miles on it and I had purchased it used in 2007 with approximately 23,000 miles on it. I have searched the internet for similar complaints and have come to the conclusion that it is a possible transmission failure which could cost me approximately $2500. 00 to fix. I bought the car for $8,900. 00! I've owned a 1989 Mazda 323 and a 1998 Toyota corolla which each had over 110,000 miles on them and I never encountered a transmission problem.

Transmission failed with 63,000 miles on it!.

The transmission failed completely, without warning while driving. All gear settings, with the exception of park, responded in the same manner as neutral. There was no warning of any type. The transmission simply failed. All recommended services have been performed on or ahead of schedule for this vehicle. A cursory search of internet auto message boards revealed at least several hundred failures of the same type in 2003 Ford Taurus automobiles.

Transmission failed at 52774 miles. Had it serviced twice in this short of milage. Had transmission repaired at a cost of 1,897. 69.

2003 Ford Taurus with less than 40,000 miles. Complete transmission failure, automatic overdrive transmission. The car was driving fine earlier in the day, then my was going to my daughters home, when she stopped for a stop sign by my daughters home, the car pulled away and stopped accelerating in the middle of the intersection. She was almost hit by another vehicle coming from adifferent direction. This could have been worse if she had been on an interstate or open road in heavy traffic. There were no warnings of any type that a problem was forthcoming. The car has not been repaired due to lack of funds. Rough estimates $2000 +/-. Ford acknowledges problems with the transmissions, but will not discount any repair or help customer in any way. There are numerous complaints all throughout the internet on this same problem with the same result. No help from Ford. This needs to be investigated, because accidents could have been caused from this condition.

While traveling in my 2003 Ford Taurus at approximately 50 mph, the transmission suddenly failed and an accident was narrowly avoided as I was able to pull off the road. The vehicle has approximately 115000 miles on it, but has had routine service performed. Although it has not yet been serviced, I did check that the transmission fluid level is normal and not discolored or evidence of fouled fluid.

I purchased a new Ford Taurus se in 2003. After only 30,000. Miles on the odometer my transmission failed on the freeway. I had it towed to goodyear and a mechanic confirmed that the transmission failed and referred me to transmission specialist. My quote to have the transmission rebuilt was $3,000. I believe that this falls under "catastrophic mechanical failure" and I should not have to pay to get this situation rectified. I contacted Ford customer relationship center and requested that the car be replaced with a new Taurus or a new transmission with warranty and the repair of any collateral damage as a result of the car sitting in my garage since 2008, I was told that nothing could be done because the warranty expired two months before the transmission failed. I was nearly killed as I tried to navigate from the freeway to the shoulder. In essence I paid $1,000. Per mile for the life of this car. 2003 was one of Ford's worst year for transmission failure. This transmission should have been recalled. To have such a major component fail after owning the car 5-years and just 30,000. Miles is a travesty. In conclusion, I would like to know how many owners died as a result of this transmission failure and hope that we can receive assistance for this travesty by an american auto company's lack of responsibility. This is not right and I don't know how a company can get away with this , to me, is an illegal act that should not be tolerated! updated ivoq 07/09/12.

2003 Taurus - transmission failed; went to accelerate through busy intersection; no power; had to coast through intersection to get to safer place. Car towed; est. 1300-1600- to fix per Ford dealer; final cost $1933. 50. No warning; no nothing; just would not accelerate; last year it was the strut blowing through the rear end of the wagon for $1500. 00 fix; this year $1933. 50 for transmission; Ford says out of warranty; too bad; it is like having a heart attack and the doctor can't explain why; what an explanation to get from a "reputable dealer". They took my money whether I had a heart attack or not.

2003 Ford Taurus, transmission fails. It dies on the highway with no warning and Ford says there is nothing wrong with it. Of course now that it is out of warranty they are more than happy to repair my car. Started in sept of 07 with 73,000 miles. I have been told by an independent mechanic that it is an electrical problem with the transmission. Interesting that he can get the car to show symptoms, but the dealership could never find anything wrong with it, after they had it off and on for 2 months. Ford replaced fuel pump and filter and I have been told that is the only thing that is under warranty with Ford now. This is strictly negligence on the part of Ford. They put a car out there that they know has transmission issues. There should be a recall on these cars. Shame on Ford.

As all these other complaints, the transmission failed in my 03 Ford Taurus. No warning, no lights or whistles. Approx. 54,000 miles. Sucks, that the best way to describe it. Cost 2,700. 00 plus towing. Never again! one would think in this day and time when the economy is so crappy, Ford would want all the business they could get. . . . They know this trans. Is a bad one. . . . My next car was going to be a crown vic. . . . But not now. . . . .

No warnings. . . . Ford Taurus 2003 ses. . . 58,000 miles. . . . Transmission failed. I had a remanfactured transmission installed. Traded car in for a Hyundai the same week.

2003 Ford Taurus transmission failed at 59,000 miles. We were going down the interstate at 65 mph during the weekend. It was hard to get it towed it being the weekend. Cost to repair was $2,000. Won't buy Ford car again. B.

While driving at 65 mph automatic transmission failed at 42000 miles. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who will replace the transmission at consumer's expense.