2003 Ford Taurus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Body, Steering · 74,029 miles · NY

On october 23 2019, I retained mavis discount tire to inspect my new york state registered 2003 ford taurus. Mavis discount tire passed the vehicle, determining the vehicles condition complied with ny state safety standard of roadworthiness. 12/12/2019, after repairing the transmission at gorilla auto works, I was informed of a serious structural situation, control arm assembly "severely deteriorated". On january 20th 2020, I again referred the vehicle to caskinete ford carthage new york for further evaluation, at ford motor company standards, as was informed, that the control arm assembly was not repairable, at the present condition, did not meet new york state or federal safety standards, contrary to the original status, and inspection , issued 10/23/2019 mavis discount tire arsenal st. Watertown new york. Further evaluations, study revealed, that failure of this condition, underway, at us interstate average speed of traffic, potentially catastrophic incident would result, eminent risk of loss of life. Per us agency standards, I have made all reasonable efforts to resolve this complaint with relevant state agencies, dmv. Etc. Additional efforts included relevant new york state political representatives, to include new york state senate. *please note the, possibly intentional omission by mavis staff, of the vehicles mileage. Obtained by other records.

Filed Dec 11, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 149,500 miles · NY

Just bought the car and doing some routine service , oil change , brake inspection etc. Noticed that the rear body mounts on the subframe had rust rot. And looking over the rest of the subframe noticed that the lower control arms on the front mount of both left and right sides were rotted out completely. The repair work is more than what I paid for the car. I can't even put the car on the road. It will not pass inspection. For a car that is only 10 years old the subframe shouldn't be rotted out like this.ford should give some kind of assistance with this problem.

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 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 Aug 17, 2011 · Body · 131,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While driving at approximately 40 MPH the steering wheel became difficult maneuver and control. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated the front sub frame was corroded, causing the lower control arm to detach from the subframe. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000. Updated 9/13/11 *cn updated 09/28/11

Filed Jun 26, 2011 · Suspension · 66,936 miles · MA

I heard from an acquaintance that there were several issues posted on the federal safety agency website regarding the failure of coil springs on the ford taurus. I too experienced the complete loss of control of my 2003 taurus while driving in heavy traffic due to coil spring failure. With the initial jolt and subsequent dragging of the car to bring it to a safe area to bring the car to a stop, I actually thought I had hit a person or large object. When I got out of my car I found the the front end of the car sitting on top of my tire. My mechanic actually took pictures of the car as he could not believe the amount of damage that had occurred. I had to replace the struts, springs, sway bar links, lower ball joint and axle shaft. All of this at 61k miles!! For a cost of $1300.00. In closing, my 2003 ford taurus has been involved in 2 serious malfunctions posted to the federal safety agency website which could have easily resulted in serious injury or death to myself or fellow motorists if I was not able to react quickly and control the car with a complete collapse of the front end or complete loss of power with the transmission failure (ref #fbn24-10467). Both of these issues occurred within 4 months (5k miles) of each other (66k - 71k) and cost in excess of $4,000.0 to repair. Given the number of coil spring complaints received by the federal safety agency and the open investigation (the federal safety agency action number: ea08018) , I would think either ford or the national highway transportation safety administration take responsibility and issue a notification of these serious issues with this car (and the other year/models listed in nhsta action # ea08018)) and the steps to remediate those issues before the issue causes serious injury or death.

Filed Dec 17, 2010 · Suspension, Wheels · 133,038 miles · OH

Drivers side front coil spring in the strut broke and slashed the adjacent tire. This was noticed when the car was beginning to be backed out of a parking spot. We had to replace both strut assemblies for safety sake, replace the damaged tire as well. We opted to replace the other three tires due to wear. Also, the garage recommended we replace the ball joints and lh side tie rod end. The front end was aligned as well. Total cost $1871. I am outraged that there is a recall for 1999 thru 2001 taurus cars but nothing covering up to and including 2003's. I also think it is ridiculous that the cutoff to repair this problem occurs when a car exceeds 100000 miles. This is a known design defect and all ford taurus cars should have been recalled and repaired. My daughter was lucky this failure occurred in a parking lot and not when going 65mph! Severe injury and death could have been the result and other people may have been involved! I implore the federal safety agency to force ford to engage in a retroactive recall for all affected taurus cars. It is inexcusable to have a design defect of this magnitude on the public highways. I can understand a broken spring can occur, but the complaints clearly show that the spring then slashes the tire, causing an immediate blowout and potential loss of control of the vehicle.

Filed May 20, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 106,617 miles · NH

2003 ford taurus. Consumer states problems with coil springs *tgw the consumer questioned the lack of a recall for an obvious safety problem and perhaps defective material. The front and rear coil springs ruptured on the consumers vehicle. The ball joints, front stabilizer and serpentine belt all had to be replaced on different occasions. The caliper froze, and the rotors were warped. *jb updated consumer letter 10/27/10.

Filed Jan 16, 2010 · Suspension · 116,688 miles · NH

2003 ford taurus front spring failure resulting in destruction of front tire. Left front spring catastrophically failed in driveway while driver was entering car, spring punctured left front tire resulting in instant deflation. Temperature at time of failure was approximately 25f. With 116,688 miles, last passed nh state safety inspection in june 2009 which included close inspection of front end due to tie rod replacement & subsequent wheel alignment. Car owned and operated in the salt belt states of ri, ma and nh. Carfax report in 2007 showed good maintenance history and no history of any damage to the vehicle. Cost to repair was $750 including spring replacement, front stabilizer link replacement, front end alignment, and tire replacement. Parts are not available, but contact info to repairing service person is available upon request.

Filed Jan 14, 2010 · Suspension · 78,000 miles · IN

Mid december I noticed my alignment was turning towards the right, about a week maybe less, later I noticed my car was starting to wobble. I took it to firestone and they said my ball joints were seriously worn and because of the wobble the inside of my tires were worn out. Ball joints and tires now need replaced.

Filed Dec 28, 2009 · Suspension · 100,102 miles · NY

2003 ford taurus, noise from left front, hard to steer, found left front tire flat, after swapping tire with spare found noise still present and hard to steer, towed to repair shop found left front coil spring broken, replaced both front springs, struts and ball joint had play in them.