The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to actuate as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift out of park(P) into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch or wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V106000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.
2003 Ford Taurus lights problems
46 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 96,976.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 96,976
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Brake lights: switch9
- Tail lights2
- Headlights: concealment devices2
- Headlights2
- Brake lights1
- Back up lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Taurus lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Taurus lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is 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.
Recall number 04V106000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Brake light switch failure
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v‑078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v‑078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v‑078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in the scope of recall 01v‑078.)on march 1, 2004, ford notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 2000 through early-2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals and my 2000 subject vehicles equipped with fixed pedals (recall 04v‑106).the notification identified three factors contributing to brake light circuit failures:(1) continuing grease contamination issues that prompted 01v‑078; (2) misalignment of the booster rod pin and the brake light switch; and (3) wire assembly fatigue.the first two conditions were limited to vehicles with adjustable pedals and the latter condition affected vehicles with fixed pedals.ford will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the brake light switch and associated wiring replaced with a re-designed brake light switch and wiring assembly.
RQ03008
What 2003 Ford Taurus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My interior light stays on while I'm driving, and will stay on 2-3 hours after the engine has stopped.
Brake lights failed, has adjustable pedals, and when I bought a switch from ford, the insert mentioned a recall 04s12, local ford dealer denied the recall.
Brake lights came on would not turn off. Brake switch needs to be replaced. Battery died thanks .in motion on street
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle out of park, the gear shifter failed to shift. On several occasions, the brake lights remained illuminated even after the vehicle was turned off causing the battery to discharge. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, but the contact spoke to an independent mechanic who advised that there was a recall on the likely issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
All my lights work except my brake lights and nobody can figure it out. Also know I have to start it in numeral only. It was stationary I think I just know it happen at the same time and no body knows why
The car was driving down the street and stopped. When I pressed to accel the transmission did'nt pull over 15 feet and stopped pulling. It was the torque converter that had gon out. And then I get a letter in the mail about other recalls but not on the transmissions. I worked for ford for 27 years as an engineer and built transmissions under recalls. I have no idea about these paople! But the 2004 has that recall.
My car had caught on fire and the police officer and the firemen said it was a electric fire. My car was sitting in front of my apartment building at 8:30 p.m. And that between 3 and 4 a.m. A car that caught on fire and I was not even driving it was just sitting there park.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact was being signaled by other drivers that the rear brake lights were illuminated all the time until the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic notified the contact of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also stated that there was a recall issued in 2004 for the same type of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 212,000. Updated 05/10/16*lj
Driving 6am today both my headlights turned off while driving. They turned back on 5 second later but that is the second time it has happened within the last 30 days. Also dashboard lights turned off and on random times for the last year even this morning but different time then headlight issue.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Taurus lights
Does the 2003 Ford Taurus have lights problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Taurus lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 96,976 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Taurus lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V106000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Taurus have the most lights problems?
The Ford Taurus model years with the most lights complaints are 1993 (142 complaints), 2000 (87 complaints) and 1994 (51 complaints).
Other 2003 Ford Taurus problems
Transmission 316Suspension 313Visibility 196Body 111Electrical 97Engine 90Acceleration 88Airbags 46Brakes 44Fuel system 24Tires 18Steering 12Wheels 8Locks 5Seats 3Driver assistance 2Seat belts 2
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