2003 Ford Taurus: transmission slipping

Filed Oct 29, 2016 · Acceleration · 116,000 miles · SC

I was driving and the car revved the engine which made it feel like the car was going to take off.the car did jerk forward. And another time, I was at a stop light and the car revved like it was trying to go, even though the brake was being held down. The gray cap that holds the throttle cable in has broken on one side and the cable is slipping out. Is this a recall part?

Filed Aug 23, 2015 · Transmission · 126,445 miles · OH

Driving vehicle about 45mph when vehicle, without warning, slipped out of gear and would not reengage. Car engine continued to run however, transmission would not engage in any gear. Car was towed to mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failed transmission. Car transmission was repaired and it was stated by repair facility that this is a common occurrence for this make, model, and year. Transmission failed without any previous signs, symptoms, or warnings.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · GA

Sitting at a stop light. Car would rev when light turned green but no acceleration. Pushed it to the side of the road. No warning lights, no slipping of gears, no fluid leaking no sounds or jerky feelings. Called ford and got a case number, but they are no help. Contacted [xxx] , consumer advocate and he advised me to contact ford. Found 299 complaints of the same problem on carcomplaints.com and same problems on autosafety.org. I was told by ford that the transmission is out of warranty. I said I would help with cost but feel ford should take responsibility. Are they waiting for a fatality? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 22, 2014 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · MN

Car has/had been driving and shifting perfectly,(no slipping, no hesitation, nothing). After driving approximately 4 miles, turning car off for roughly 10 minutes, restarting and driving about 1 mile transmission acted as if it was shifted into neutral. After stopping, attempted shifting through all gears including reverse, same result. After further inspection found fluid level right at full mark, and fluid was as clean as the day it was new,(not burnt at all). Was told by the local ford dealer that this was a common problem with this year taurus and that there is no service bulletins or recalls, (customer pay only). Car has been parked since it broke down because we are waiting to see if ford may/will get forced to address this obvious issue. Thank you.

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 Aug 10, 2012 · Transmission · 60,600 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that as the gear was shifted from park to drive, the gears slipped. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repair. The manufacturer and the dealer were made aware of failure. The dealer stated that the diagnostic of the failure was difficult because the failure was not present constantly. The current mileage was 60,650 and the failure mileage was 60,600. Updated 08/29/12*lj updated 09/05/12

Filed Jul 13, 2012 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · OK

While attempting to pull through a very busy intersection in tulsa, oklahoma, my transmission started slipping without warning causing many (thankfully) alert drivers to take evasive action to miss me when my car wouldn't go. It has been brought to my attention that the transmissions, most notably 2003 model year, in the taurus' have a bad reputation for this yet ford refuses to recognize this. Many just give out at highway speeds. I pray my children aren't with me if any such occurs again after I replace this transmission...no recall that I'm aware of.

Filed Jun 4, 2012 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · OH

I was driving my car to the store,came to a traffic light and accelerated and it shifted fine until I pressed the gas pedal and nothing besides high rpms... Also it happened with no signs or warnings and transmission wasn't slipping or acting up...had it towed to a mechanic and he said it was my torque converter that ruined the splines that engage.! Something needs to be done!

Filed Feb 5, 2011 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · PA

I was returning home from a gas station and came down the steep hill to my house and when I went to back into my parking space the transmission completely failed . I thought my tires were just spinning due to some ice . When I put the car in drive to try to find another space I discovered the only gears I had were park and neutral. The car then coasted to the middle of the intersection and stopped, I then had to get my neighbor to help push the car around the corner and into a parking spot. There was no warning at all the transmission never slipped and there were no indicator lights . Nothing at all just total failure. I'm just glad it didn't happen with my family in the car along the highway on our way to cub scouts.

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · NY

Transmission slipped out of gear while traveling about 30 m.p.h. Pulled over , put in park, shut off and restarted vehicle. Cycled through gears, no engagement. Free wheels in any gear but park. No symptoms prior to this. Will update when it is replaced.

Filed Sep 12, 2010 · Transmission · 42,571 miles · AR

2003 ford taurus transmission just stopped pulling. No slipping no problems what so ever then nothing. It only has 43k miles and I'm nearly 80 yrs old. I cannot afford to spend $2000 on a repair that should be repaired at no cost because there should be a recall with all of the complaints I have read for the same problem. It is odd to me that most recalls are for something stupid like a taillight may be prone to leaking but when it comes to life threatening problems it is overlooked. It is just a good thing that she wasn't hit by someone since she had pulled out onto the highway and made it to her lane before the transmission just stopped pulling not noise, pop or anything!! Will someone with a backbone please stand up!!!

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Transmission · 88,475 miles · AP

Transmission failure. While driving on an expressway, I felt the gears slip as the transmission was automatically shifting from drive to overdrive. After the gear change, I attempted to accelerate, however, power did not transfer from the engine to the wheels. I coasted to a stop. The transmission was rebuilt at my own expense.