2003 Ford Taurus: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · OK

The transmission will not shift into any gear

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 128,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate and the transmission would not shift out of park. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop who replaced the brake light switch and the wire assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was not included in recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Lights, Transmission · 100,000 miles · OK

There is a recall on my car, but my VIN was never entered. Therefore a notice was never sent out to recall the vehicle. Ford randall reed and reynolds ford in oklahoma city refused to do the recall repair. The ford customer service rep confirmed my car came from the plant that had the recall and that there was never a repair/notice because the VIN hadn't been entered. They gave another phone number, but that number only speaks to dealerships. My car will not shift out of park. My mechanic is [xxx]at midas on nw 23rd phone: [xxx] ford has been giving him the run-around, but he is trying to resolve the issue of my VIN not being reported. The recall went out in april 2004t he campaign # 04v106000. This defect can cause a crash. Recall id # 41871 - exterior lighting:brake lights:switch hide details recall date: mar 02, 2004 model affected: 2003 ford taurus summary: 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. Consequences: 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. . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Lights, Transmission · 104,000 miles · OK

There is a recall on my car, but my VIN was never entered and notice was ever sent out to recall the vehicle.I had problems with insurance because of the VIN, maybe the VIN should be [xxx]. Ford randall reed and reynolds ford in oklahoma city refused to do the recall repair. The ford customer service rep confirmed my car came from the plant that had the recall and that there was never a repair/notice because the VIN hadn't been entered. They gave another phone number, but that number only speaks to dealerships. My car will not shift out of park. My mechanic is [xxx]at midas on nw 23rd phone: [xxx]ford has been giving him the run-around, but he is trying to resolve the issue of my VIN not being reported. The recall went out in april 2004 the campaign # 04v106000. This defect can cause a crash. Recall id # 41871 - exterior lighting:brake lights:switch hide details recall date: mar 02, 2004 model affected: 2003 ford taurus summary: 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. Consequences: 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. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6),

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 Jan 18, 2012 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the gear shifter would not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact merged the vehicle to the shoulder. The engine was still running but the vehicle would not shift into gear. The vehicle was towed and a mechanic informed the contact that the torque converter would need replacing. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · 125,000 miles · MA

I was driving eastbound on I-90 (mass. Pike) in massachusetts, about 60 miles outside of boston, with my fiancee in the passenger seat. Road conditions were ideal. Temperature was in the high 80s. Sun was out, about 4 p.m. In the afternoon. Suddenly, the rpms went through the roof, but the car did not slow or speed. I tested again and same thing happened. I signaled right and was able to move over one lane and again onto the shoulder. Once parked, the car would not go into gear. I just got revving in park, drive, reverse, lower gears, etc. Transmission failure. No power to the ground. Repair costs came to $2,000. I would consider this a safety problem since I was not able to control the speed of my car on a busy highway. I was lucky enough to have space to my rear and right when the incident occured, but had I been boxed in, there certainly would have been an accident. It appears this is a common problem with the '03 taurus.

Filed Mar 24, 2011 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · VA

I bought the car in march 2009 and had was extremely happy with it. On november 5, 2009 my husband and I left for the store. We had not even gotten 1 mile away from the house when the car stopped responding when you pressed on the gas. There was no warning, no loud noises and the car had been running fine. When we stopped to inspect what happened we found that the car would not go into gear. When you shifted out of park--nothing, literally nothing happened. We found out that the transmission had failed and forked over the $1000 to have a rebuilt transmission put in. Problem solved--or so we thought. Earlier this week (march 22, 2011) my husband left for work and it happened again. Same as last time- no warning and the car had been running fine. We are at our wits end with this car and although I love it we cannot afford to keep putting transmissions in it every few months.

Filed Dec 19, 2010 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · FL

Without any warning my gas pedal of my vehicle stopped working. I was driving down the road - the car jerked and then nothing. The car would not go into gear. I had to roll and then push my vehicle to the side of the road. Thank god there was no one behind me or I would of been hit - it was very scary. Turns out it was the torque converter. Had to wait for aaa and then get my car towed to transmission place. They replaced and it cost me $1,133.58.

Filed Jun 29, 2010 · Engine, Suspension · 77,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the cam sensor was replaced. Approximately 5 months later the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where the cam sensor was again replaced. The failure recurred again and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the cam sensor was reset. The failure has not recurred. Approximately 1 year later while driving at approximately 20 MPH the front passenger side tire blew out. Upon examining the vehicle the contact noticed the coil spring was broken and pierced the tire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the front passenger side coil spring was replaced. The contact also stated that approximately 2 months later while attempting to operate the vehicle it would not shift into gear and would not move. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was in the process of being diagnosed. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 90,600.

Filed Jun 25, 2010 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · AR

I was driving my 2003 ford taurus down a state highway, in arkansas, and the transmission went out while driving it. I went to pass a vehicle, and instead of the vehicle kicking into passing gear, it was as if the vehicle went into neutral instead. The engine just revved up and the vehicle started to slow. I barely made it to the side of the road, without being struck by another vehicle. The vehicle gave no indication of any transmission problems and has approximately 132,000 miles on it. There were no shifting issues, sounds, or warning lights. I have read where many other ford taurus owners have experienced nearly the same issue. This could have been much worse than it was, since I was in the middle of a main highway and traveling at approximately 55 miles per hour at the time of the incident. The vehicle will not shift into any forward gear or reverse.