2003 Ford Taurus: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 2 miles · PA

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.

Filed May 18, 2015 · Lights, Transmission · 120,000 miles · VA

On the date above and then again on feb,2015 the transaxle quit working, it would not go anywhere. Had it rollbacked to my house both times at a cost of $50 per tow. The cost to repair and or replace the transaxle was :2011: $1,400; 2015: $1,700. The car at the 2nd. Rework/exchange (the trans shop replaced rather than rebuild mine) had only 125,000 miles. It is my understanding the transaxles in these generation ford tauruses were prone to transaxle failure, as were the ford windstars as both vehicles used the same transaxle. Upon studying up on these problems it seems ford motor co. Recalled the windstar and called it a bad torque converter causing the problems. Why did they not recall the tauruses also, answer: amount of vehicles produced of each model and their feet were not "held to the fire" by ya'll and our gov.. Now to get to the lighting problem: the most safety hazardous item which has been installed on vehicles in the last 15-20 years is those damned "plastic lensed headlights" that within 3 years will "fog over" to the extent they do not produce enough light to be usefull at night. Oh they say you can clean them, of which I have tried on my taurus, to not much avail. I believe the auto manufacturers should be ordered thru a recall from you to replace them at no cost to us owners. If you will check, you will see a replacement of those "wunderfull" invention , known as bullcrap, lens will set an owner of the vehicles around $500 to $700 per pair installed. And must be adjusted by a dealers only equipment. I my self do not believe in todays world 125,000 - 129,000 miles is a lot. If the truth were known the "yellowed out" headlights have been the cause of a lot of nite time accidents. Do your job and go after them and make them replace with new transaxles and torque converters and at the same time make them replace the yellowed out headlight lenses.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Lights, Transmission · 118,000 miles · VA

On the above date the transaxle in this car quit working. The torque converter broke a gear. It is my understanding this is prevalent in the 2003 ford taurus and the 2003 windstar vans. Ford recalled the windstars but not the taurus'. I had it ,the transaxle,rebuilt and put only 3000 to 3200 miles from the date of this repair. About 5 weeks ago the same thing happened. It is my understanding this is a prevalent problem with these vehicles. Now in regards to the lighting, the manufacturers should take the responsibility of replacing those damned "yellowed" out headlight lens on just about 99% of the cars that have them. This should be a major recall due to the hazard they can cause while driving at night. We the american people cannot afford the cost to replace this dangerous unsafe features on almost all vehicles produced by all auto manufacturers since the 90's.

Filed Nov 29, 2013 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · MI

Oct 2012 bought my ford taurus 2003. In november as I drove home at 3 am at 55 MPH the cars dashboard lights all flashed across my dash then the headlights went out as I pulled to the side of the road the car stalled. I sat for approx 15 restarted car and got it home. The next morn the battery was dead. Purchased battery. Car ran fine for a year then changed coils in october 2013. Ion november I was driving 55 MPH and all of a sudden dash and headlights went out. I was able to move the car into a driveway before gettin hit by 2 cars. Car was towed to my house I charged battery check the alternator. Next day car was started 3 times. The fourth time no go. Car towed to mechanic. Or shall I say dealership where car is under warranty. They called next day to tell me it was a dead battery they have charged it for an hour. I let the car sit there for a few days then called back, they then said my neg term to my battery wasn't connected.. And the car is now fixed, the car has sat at dealership for three weeks. Im scared to drive it and don't want my four kids in that death trap.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Acceleration · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact was driving into a parking space when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle accelerated, crashed into the curb and stopped on the grassy area while the rpms continued to increase. The vehicle sustained damage to the front bumper, right passenger headlight and the right tire was flat. The tie rod was also broken due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who repaired the damage. There were no injuries. The police and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The manufacturer also was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 19, 2012 · Electrical · 104,220 miles · TX

Affected part: starter...car would not start. I got it jumped and drove to autozone to test. Starter was dead. Replaced starter. Affected part: not sure what part but I am having problems with the headlights/dashlights and air, all weakening as I am driving. Vehicles think I am flashing my headlights at them.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Lights · VA

2003 ford taurus. Consumer writes in regards to a road hazard concerning plastic lens *tgw the consumer stated the plastic headlight lenses turn yellow, not allowing light to be radiated through them.

Filed Jul 7, 2011 · Lights, Transmission · 113,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus ses. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the vehicle would no longer accelerate. After trying to restart it to no avail, it was undrivable and had to be towed. The vehicle has not been inspected nor repaired. The dealer was contacted and they advised him that the trans axle had possibly failed and needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileages were approximately 113,000. Updated 08/05/11*lj the consumer also stated head light lenses turned yellow, not allowing much light to radiate out of them and it was very difficult to drive at night. Updated 09/14/11. *jb updated 01/30/12.

Filed Feb 16, 2011 · Lights · 85,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the plastic headlight was turning yellow abnormally and causing the lights to illuminate extremely faint. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he would have to utilize the high beam lights for adequate illumination of the roadway at night. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage is 110,000 updated 3/14/11 *cn updated 04/28/11

Filed Aug 10, 2009 · Lights · 92,180 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the plastic covers for the headlights were turning yellow. When he cleans them, they return to yellow within six days. The failure causes poor visibility while driving at night. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 92,180.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact experienced several wiring malfunctions with the vehicle. The instrument panel lights would periodically illuminate automatically, and the headlights were also turning on and off without activating the light switch. The engine would also rev automatically and, when switching from park to drive, the engine would rev again. In addition, when in park, the vehicle would shut off by itself and have to be placed into neutral in order to be restarted. An independent mechanic could not locate the cause of the failure. A diagnostic was also performed, but it did not produce a failure code. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 81,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2007 · Lights · PA

Automatic headlights malfunction. Turn off unexpectedly while driving the vehicle. Nearly caused accident a few times brought vehicle back to dealer charged 50 dollars to repair within 2 weeks same thing happened again. Now turn headlights on manually. Could have been seriously injured on turnpike when they malfunctioned drive totally blind till light switch was turned on manually.