2003 Ford Taurus: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Dec 29, 2018 · Suspension · 143,060 miles · KS

A strange grinding noise was coming from the passenger front tire area which was very noticable trying to back out of driveway, so pulled back in and looked to see what might be wrong. I noticed a burning rubber smell and that the wheel clearance was significantly less on passenger verse driver front tire. Drove up onto ramps to look from beneath and could clearly see the end of the coil poking into the inside edge of the tire with a worn mark all the way around where it was pushing into the rubber. After carefully backing off ramps, it was jacked up and placed on jack stands, at which time it was clearly visible the coil spring was snapped in two. It is a miracle this was found before my sister drove 70mph on the highway she was about to. This would've certainly caused a blowout and potentially a fire, and at those speeds could've certainly been deadly.

Filed Jul 13, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 105,497 miles · FL

Ford taurus 2003 ses, engine 3.0l car was purchased on may 28, 2011. Left side electrical along with components of the turn signal snap back when attempting to use this safety feature made for vehicles. On 06/15/2011 the front right brakes of the vehicle went out and required the vehicle to be towed to a local repair shop. During the drive home which was from a distance of about 20 miles I experienced uncontrollable steering and almost lost control of the vehicle. The replaced brake caliper bolt came loose and was lost along the highway. On 07/19/2011 after the vehicle was towed back to the repair shop the A/C compressor had failed again along with the transmission as the transmission was slipping roughly during normal driving conditions. The vehicle was towed and was blowing hot, brakes grinding, transmission flare shifting 2-3 shift. Repair shop stated slipping at 30mph and stated rebuilt transmission. During a week period around 07/22/2011 the brakes were grinding again and the lower ball joints were installed. Transmission slipping around 30mph and AC was still blowing hot. Transmission was rebuilt during this time frame due to flare shift 2-3 shift. Vehicle was towed back to the shop each time. 08/17/2011 check engine light on, transmission does not shift, grinding noise when accelerate and brake, A/C blows hot. On 08/31/2011 the transmission would not shift, stated need to replace all electronics in transmission, one or more solenoids are defect. 09/12/2011 odometer 112377 out o. On 09/20/2012 mil 140,768. Balanced 55 series and above rear right wheels balanced parts for flat with plug. Vehicle was inspected for power steering fluid and it was normal. The vehicle jumps when put in reverse and into gear and seems to want to stay on cruise control. I will post further comments to my complaint as there is not enough space for facts.

Filed Jul 13, 2013 · Brakes, Steering · FL

Calipers front right f reb caliper remove and inspect and overhaul caliper front one side. Brakes were grinding again which required that inspection which I find out that the same area in the brake system needs replaced. Recomd, tie rod inner remove and replace tie rod end one side inner, ball joints lower front left remove and replace f ball joint one side, 2 brake hoses front. Brake rotors front both needed replaced. Suggested tires due to mileage also rubber valve stem. System failure- required. Recd, brake fluid exchange with ABS, and bleed brakes. Ceramic disc brake pads pd598 both front. 03/02/2013 mil 151213. 3rd repair shop, replaced all four tires with warranty brakes and pads along with discs needed replaced for the 4th time. Transmission flush due to leaking fluid. Qt dex 3 proline. Brake drums and shoes replaced. Replaced brake fluid, tie rod end one side inner along with replace of the shaft seal remove and install f axle shaft assembly one side. Tran's seal cr. Cv axle replacement. Ball joint replacement along with wheel cylinder rear both, brake service with rear brake drum. Engine light off/ runs poor diagnostic, replacement of pcv valve assembly, replaced upper and lower intake manifold gasket remove and replaced pcv valve along with tune up package. Relearn engine idle, rear brakes basic pc pkg, dorman rear right wheel and left cylinders. During these 3-4 repair shops cannot fix the cruise control to get the car to stop driving it self when above 30mph along with acceleration, back tail light right side shorts out continually. It is very difficult and very unsafe to control a vehicle that has had more than three or four repair shops try their hardest to fix a problem that apparently has some of these problems. I am with the belief that the brake system along the electrical system within the 2003 ford taurus ses dohc is unsafe for street use in the u.s. Due to our standards here of motor safety. When put into gear the transmission jumps loud.

Filed Feb 12, 2013 · Suspension · 128,847 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 3 MPH, she heard a loud grinding noise and smoke emitted from the wheel well. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that both front struts and the front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 128,847.

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Suspension · 71,300 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While driving approximately 4 MPH and making a turn, the contact heard a loud grinding and popping noise. The front end of the vehicle dropped down and the contact observed that the front drivers side tire blew out because the coil spring pierced it. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the front coil springs were replaced. The failure and current mileages were 71,300.

Filed May 13, 2010 · Suspension · 66,107 miles · CT

I own a 2003 ford taurus station wagon. I had just completed a vacation 1000+ mile trip at highway speeds. Several days later, while in a parking lot driving at a slow speed there occurred a loud metallic grinding sound, following immediately by a hiss noise with an instant collapse of my left front tire. I had the car towed into a local ford dealer, and the diagnosis was the left front spring had broken, slashing the inside of the left front tire. Needless to say if this had occurred at highway speeds, the likelihood is that I would not be around to be entering this complaint. My repair cost was $1456.80, not covered by warranty. This raises a question: why not? An internet check showed this ford coil spring problem to be happening for years, despite it's obvious threat to lives! *tr updated ivoq 12/29/10

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 41,000 miles · TX

Blower fan failure to operate and when it did work, it made a loud squeaking noise. Finally complete failure. System evaluatlion, fuses, circuit breakers, harnesses all good. Removed fan motor housing and fan motor. Both showed evidence of water collecting in the housing and motor itself. To correct the problem I purchased a fan motor , installed and reassembled everything. My question, is this going to happen again?

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Visibility · 45,000 miles · TX

Windshield of 2003 taurus exhibits leaks, wind noise, squeaks and rattles and may reduce protection in the event of a crash or accident.

Filed Jun 1, 2009 · Suspension · 76,200 miles · OH

The rear spring on our 2003 ford taurus broke overnight. As we tried to drive it in the morning we heard a grinding noise coming out of the wheel well and pulled the car into the driveway. We removed the tire and discovered the spring had snapped and the jagged tip was grooving the inside sidewall of the tire. Had this happened on the highway, it would surely have blown the tire. Replacing both rear springs cost $590.07, and replacing the tire under a road hazard warranty cost another $86.78. The car has only 76,200 miles on it. In researching the problem on the internet we discovered this is a very common problem with front and rear springs on the ford taurus, all the way up through the 2004 models. For recent complaints, see: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_springs.html does it take someone to die before something is done about this? These spring breaks often destroy the tires. My ford mechanic tells me they see these failures quite often, and admitted ford has a problem with their springs. Why is the federal safety agency allowing this to continue? It would be a simple matter to ask all ford service departments how may of these failures they have seen. The website I gave you above should give you a sense of how bad this problem has become.

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Suspension · 35,896 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While backing out of the driveway, the contact heard a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. He drove to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that the rear driver's side coil spring was cracked and puncturing the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was not repaired and the dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The current and failure mileages were 35,896.

Filed Jan 17, 2009 · Engine · 33,000 miles · OH

My car began making a high-pitched squeal. I took my vehicle to a local ford dealer. Upon hearing the noise the tech knew that it was the result of a bad camshaft position sensor, camshaft synchronizer. He stated that it is a common occurrence with fords. The camshaft position sensor would function intermittently resulting in an engine stall without warning. Sometimes I was unable to restart the vehicle for quite some time. The engine has stalled when backing out of the driveway, when proceeding to make turns in traffic, and other not so ideal locations. Thankfully oncoming traffic stopped their vehicles before impacting my own.

Filed Jul 15, 2008 · Brakes, Suspension · 68,000 miles · OH

Application of brakes causes car to shake and shimmy. Rotors, pads and calipers replaced twice. Replaced right front bearing, ball joint, sway bar link and half shaft the second time, do to bearing wear and squeak. None of the above has fixed this problem. It is especially bad when the brakes are being applied while going around a corner.