Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle was involved in a collision with major front end damage and no airbags deployed. The brakes have been soft or spongy. I have not seen any leaks for the brake issue. I have bled the brakes several times the master was replaced by the original owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated the vehicle failed to release from the park position. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 04V106000 (Exterior Lighting).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. After the vehicle was started, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to switch out of the park position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 05/11/16 the consumer stated he had an accident when the brakes failed. The consumer injured his neck. Updated 06/14/16.
Rear brakes went out due to defective wheel cylinders. The wheel cylinders on both the right and left sides were leaking and/or completely broken. This caused the rear brakes to completely give out causing not only a potentially dangerous situation, but a complete rebuilding of my rear brakes: drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, assembly kits, self-adjusting kits, and lines. This could have very well caused the minor accident which damaged the rear bumper cover of the vehicle, due to the fact these wheel cylinders went out without warning. Through my personal investigation, wheel cylinders usually last 5-7 yrs on average. This vehicle is less than 2 yrs old.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving 40 MPH and applied the brakes but the vehicle did not respond. The contact shifted into park in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. During the crash both the driver and passenger side air bags deployed however, the contact was not injured. The driver of the second vehicle suffered a laceration above the eye. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact had to force the vehicle into park and no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Vehicle is experiencing a problem with the brakes. While moving at a speed of 65mph, driver applied brakes and ended up in the back of a SUV, damaging the hood. Vehicle has been at the dealership 3 or 4 times for brake repairs. Mechanic says "this vehicle was not equipped with anti-lock brakes. This experience occurs intermittently. Provide further details.
The park lamp switch seems to be failing and intermittently will stop working causing the brake lights to fail and the vehicle to not switch out of park. Using the VIN number the recall doesn't apply to my vehicle but obviously the recall needs to be expanded. Your help with addressing this matter would be appreciated. Thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the brake lamp became inoperable intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
Brake complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 4% of the model year's 1,223 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Taurus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Ford Taurus, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Taurus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.