We had several close calls where the car would not stop,and slide on dry pavement,and wet conditions . The car had new brakes, rotors, tires, but still would have trouble stopping, unfortunately my daughter was driving the car today,and hit another car. I just replaced the tires again a few months go, thinking the tires were the problem. I had several close calls myself, and I think there is a big problem with this car stopping. Thank god nobody was hurt, but this could have been much worse. My daughter was going approximately 30 miles an hour, and she was on a city street, conditions were wet , but she had plenty of time to stop.
2003 Ford Taurus suspension complaints
Page 2 of 12: complaints 11 to 40 of 313, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while parked, the coil spring fractured without warning. The failure recurred on one other occasion. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the strut assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,479.
The front strut spring broke and punctured the front tire causing $462.55 worth of damage, all other years of the same make and model but a few, including this one were covered by a recall or warranty. A serious accident or fatality could have occurred if this were to happen at highway speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While pulling out of the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, a loud sound emitted from the front passenger side tire. The contact discovered that the front passenger side coil spring fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving my 2003 ford taurus around a sharp turn the passenger front tire exploded . While trying to change tire to spare it was noticed that the cause of the explosion was a broken spring sticking in the sidewall . I had it replaced . A few months later I saw a piece of a spring in my driveway , when I looked at my car I found the piece of spring came from the drivers side of the taurus . Then later that year at state inspection the mechanic found a rear spring broke . I had both rear springs replaced . All four springs replaced at my own cost.
Traveling in reverse at approximately 5 MPH when front left (driver's side) suspension spring coil broke and punctured the tire. Reference: investigation: #ea08018.
The vehicle suffered a broken passenger side front suspension spring. It immediately cut through and deflated the front tire. It is luck that this happened at very slow speed, if it happened at highway speed, loss of control would have been likely. The broken coil spring "hooked" the tire and cut the tire on the inside sidewall a full 360 degree separating the inside of the tire from the tread surface. It was difficult to move the vehicle in a desired direction. It was easier to park the vehicle safely by backing up to the curb. I understand that earlier model year ford taurus' were recalled for the same type of spring failure.
Put car in reverse to move the strut assembly broke the spring went thru the tire multiple times.a 90,000 mile tire that only had 1900 miles on them. I am the one owner of this car with reg maintenance with no warning or prevention of this happening.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while reversing from a garage, a loud abnormal noise was heard from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the front passenger's side coil spring was fractured and punctured the front passenger's side tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who discovered that all four coil springs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 144,000. Updated 04/02/14*lj
Son was backing car down driveway and heard a noise and felt front end sag. He got out and noticed that the drivers front tire was flat. Tire was a year old and cut on inside of sidewall. Took tire off and had it replaced at my cost. When trying to put it back on the car I noticed the broken spring. This is what caused the tire to blow. Very sharp edge on spring facing tire. Glad it did not happen at highway speeds or in tight area so as to avoid injury or accident. Very inconvenient and an obvious metal fatigue issue. Rust not noticeable. Bought this car used from a dealer and I wish they had corrected this ongoing problem before selling the car again. Looks like I will have to look at other manufacturers as this is the second major expense on a ford for problems they knew about but did nothing to correct or to help compensate customers for their expense or inconvenience..
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH in reverse, a loud bang was heard as the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated the front driver's side spring was fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Coil springs had snapped and ripped open inside of a brand new tire on the drivers side.our daughter noticed a flat tire so she went to change it and took to a local garage and they said they never saw anything like this. So we thought maybe the tires were on recall. I checked on the web and found that a lot of '03 ford taurus owners are having the same issues with the coils snapping but there is no recall on the '03's. But there was on '01-'02 taurus,apparently same problem but ford will not stand behind product.yet today I see a recall on the speed control cable for '03 taurus due to deadly accidents. Another item I need to get fixed.thought we bought a reliable vehicle for a college kid that puts on tons of miles. So disappointed in ford but thankful this was not a tragedy.
Minnesota: front drivers side coil spring broke and punctured tire while traveling at approx. 15 MPH. Replaced both front coil spring, strut assemblies. Cost: $1183.20 included alignment + new tire install + balancing. About 4 months later right rear coil spring broke. $cost not known at this time.
As I was pulling away from the curb to go to work my car just suddenly stopped as if I had slammed on brakes and made a very loud noise. Then the front drivers side tire went flat. I tried to back up back to the curb but it wouldn't move. A neighbor came to change the tire but couldn't get it off. Then a piece of the coil spring fell onto the road and he discovered that the rest of the spring is in the side of the tire. There is no rust on the spring. I have owned the car for 5 years and it never gave me any indication that the spring was going to break such as bouncing, etc. What if I had been barreling down the interstate? Now I'm scared to drive it even if I manage to afford to get it fixed! I've read hundreds of complaints for this same issue. Maybe there is a product problem??
Front spring broke and uncoiled ,stabbing front tire. Vehicle was parked so no strain on spring. If moving tire sidewall would have ripped open. No containment at all.
Backing out of driveway heard loud noise like something hitting metal and a pop. Upon removing tire noticed jagged edge of coil sticking down and broken piece laying on ground. Also large gash on inside of tire wall.
While driving the car noticed a clunking feeling in front end. After approx one mile saw smoke and smelled burning rubber. Turned around to get car home, and while sitting at stop light, front driver side tire exploded like a gun shot. Car was towed to ford dealership and found "front left coil spring broke causing it to rub on tire causing burning rubber smell, smoke and tire to blow out". Repair bill is approx $925. Owner is 83 year old woman, and this is a very costly expense. Recall 04v332000 does not extend to this VIN although it is clearly the same issue.
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.
The front driver's side coil broke. When it broke, it ruined my tire.
Front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Front of car dropped. Very difficult to control and pull to side. I thought ford had fixed this problem as the previous recall was for earlier years.
Just pulled out of my driveway, when car felt weird driving. Got out and noticed it was a flat tire in the front drivers side. Looked closer and realized my whole spring broke falling down the shaft and sliced my tire open. I now have to get it towed and fixed, I got to school and work full time and need a car. I did some research and there was a recall for the exact same problem on 98-01 taurus. Im going to pursue filing a complaint with ford to get a recall on models after 01 as well. This could have been very dangerous if it happened on the highway.
My son proceeded to back out of driveway and the strut coil spring broke puncturing the tire.
Drove car out of my driveway at low speed (less than 5 MPH) when driver side front coil spring of my 2003 ford taurus broke and made approx. 8 inch tear in the tire. Tire deflated instantly, could have been a very dangerous situation if it happened on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that while reversing, the front driver side strut coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The spare tire was installed and the vehicle was taken to a mechanic where the strut and coil spring was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 152,000. The VIN was not available.
Front drivers side spring broke & punctured tire. I am a single mother of three boys (9,5 & 6months) and had drove home on the highway going 65mph with all my boys in the car. I parked my car at home & went out later to retrieve some paperwork from my vehicle only to find out I had a flat tire. When the tire was removed to see what was wrong with it & hopefully just having the tire repaired, that is when we noticed that the spring had broke while the car was parked & punctured the tire. As you can imagine I was in shock, but was thankful that it had not happened while driving on the highway at 65mph shredding my tire & possibly causing a fatal accident. I have since researched on the internet only to find out that this has been an ongoing problem with a number of complaints that has been investigated and has still had no recall ! Is it a matter of a certain number of deaths to occur before something is done ? It is a blessing that this has not happened yet & you would think that ford would want to keep in mind the safety of the people who buy their cars, by having a recall on the defective springs before someone is killed. There is no warning when this happens & I feel that it is unacceptable for ford to play with the lives of the people who buy their vehicles. I can tell you that this is a great financial set back for me & my 3 children & will think twice before ever buying a ford vehicle again knowing that the outcome could have been unforgivable. You can replace a defective part, but you cannot replace a life......!
On or about may 5th of 2012 the front passenger coil spring fractured. Which then punctured a six month old tire. Then not more than 50 days later, on aproximately june 20th of 2012 the drivers side front coil spring fractured and punctured the drivers tire which was aproximately seven months old. If this were to happen on the road on either occasion it could have easily LED to one or more fatality.
On january 5, 2011 my eldest daughter was driving our car in a residential area near our home. As she drove over a manhole she heard a noise and the bottom of the car scrape the pavement. She stopped to inspect, but not noticing anything unusual she continued on. A mile later she got a flat tire on the front left side. After calling for help she pulled into a parking lot. I helped change the tire, but I noticed that the car was riding low. When I went to get a new tire I was told that there was a greater problem. A broken spring! That is what had punctured the tire. The next day(s) we got the front end repaired and a new tire mounted. I understand that there was a recall of this problem on earlier taurus models. Apparently the problem still exists for 2003 models! Although you have closed your investigation (ea0818) please add this complaint to your file.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he heard a loud popping noise. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the front driver's tire was flat because a fractured coil spring pierced through the sidewall. The contact replaced the coil spring and noticed that the front passenger side coil spring was also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
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