Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
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. …
I regret to report that my daughter-in-law experienced a catastrophic failure of 3 coil spring assemblies and a subsequent front driver side tire failure due to a puncture a few months ago while was driving at a low rate of speed in her parents' neighborhood in winona. Fortunately no one was injured and she was able to pull the car into the driveway. We are thankful she wasn't driving at highway speeds on the interstate. The corrosion of the coil springs has been a known design problem for years. I have done some research and found that the 2003 model year is not on a recall at this time. However earlier model years of Taurus have been recalled for this same issue in the past, so corrosion of the coils is a known problem. The car is a 2003 Ford Taurus, 73,663 actual miles, well-maintained, no visible external rust, garaged nightly. …
A strange grinding noise was coming from the passenger front tire area which was very noticable trying to back out of driveway, so pulled back in and looked to see what might be wrong. I noticed a burning rubber smell and that the wheel clearance was significantly less on passenger verse driver front tire. Drove up onto ramps to look from beneath and could clearly see the end of the coil poking into the inside edge of the tire with a worn mark all the way around where it was pushing into the rubber. After carefully backing off ramps, it was jacked up and placed on jack stands, at which time it was clearly visible the coil spring was snapped in two. It is a miracle this was found before my sister drove 70mph on the highway she was about to. This would've certainly caused a blowout and potentially a fire, and at those speeds could've certainly been deadly.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact noticed that she had a flat tire and pulled the vehicle into a service station. While the tire was being replaced, the mechanic noticed that the coil spring punctured the front driver's side tire. The spring and struts were replaced at the cost of $600 on April 12, 2008. In addition, the contact was involved in a rear end crash due to a stabilizer failure. There were no injuries. On June 25, 2009, the radiator hose corroded and caused coolant to leak. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that there was no recall; therefore, they would not assist. The contact was advised to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 104,000 and current mileage was 105,424. Updated 9/1/09 updated 09/02/09.
After the driving my car on April 22 (a Friday), I parked the car for the evening. On April 23, 2016 (a Saturday morning), I came outside to find my 6-mo.-old left front tire flat after sitting overnight. A friend took off the tire and it was discovered that the strut spring was broken. I had the car towed to my mechanic on April 25, where it was determined that the strut spring was indeed broken, and I had it replaced. Research and talking with others brought to light a recall for this exact issue on vehicle years 1998-2001, however, other drivers were reporting the same problem with newer models of the same vehicles. This claim is for reimbursement of the cost of replacing only the broken left strut spring (a quick strut) and the tow to the garage.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While attempting to drive out of a parking space, the contact smelled rubber burning when he noticed the front drivers side coil spring had fractured the side wall of the tire, causing the tire to deflate. The failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 04V332000 (suspension front springs:coil springs). The dealer advised the contact that his vehicle was not included in the previous recall. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls associated with his VIN and offered no further assistance. The current and failure mileages were 74,900.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
To date, ODI is aware of 2,401 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect. In addition, ODI is aware of 1,411 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect. In total, ODI is aware of 3,645 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.
Suspension complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 313 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 26% of the model year's 1,223 complaints. The component named most often is front (147 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Taurus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.