Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
On Tuesday, January 27th about 1:00 pm, while driving on the interstate, the rear passenger tire exploded and was completely flat. I drove to a nearby by gas station to await my motor service to replace the tire. I photographed the damaged tire. On Tuesday, January 27h, Goodyear replaced the tire and stated aging was a factor in the tire failure. The tires were serviced by the same Goodyear store on Friday January 23rd and no mention of aging or replacing the tires was stated by Goodyear. I still have to replace three (3) of the tires on my vehicle.
Drivers side front coil spring in the strut broke and slashed the adjacent tire. This was noticed when the car was beginning to be backed out of a parking spot. We had to replace both strut assemblies for safety sake, replace the damaged tire as well. We opted to replace the other three tires due to wear. Also, the garage recommended we replace the ball joints and lh side tie rod end. The front end was aligned as well. Total cost $1871. I am outraged that there is a recall for 1999 thru 2001 Taurus cars but nothing covering up to and including 2003's. I also think it is ridiculous that the cutoff to repair this problem occurs when a car exceeds 100000 miles. This is a known design defect and all Ford Taurus cars should have been recalled and repaired. My daughter was lucky this failure occurred in a parking lot and not when going 65mph! …
2003 Ford Taurus has problems with transmission, engine backfiring, hood latch is broken, and seat bracket fell off. The tires were continuously going flat. Six flats occurred while the consumer was on a trip, the transmission was slipping and would jerk in traffic, the engine would back fire intermittently and stalled on one occasion, the seat bracket was replaced by the dealer but failed again (the seat bracket was incorrectly installed from the start), the engine also displayed knocking and had taken about 9 visits before the problem was corrected, it was discovered that a valve was sticking out. The A/C did not cool, the consumer smelled coolant which leaked inside the vehicle. …
Tires on my 2003 Ford tauruses wore down to steel belts with rubber separating from belts causing tire replacement under (2) 20,000 / (2) 28000 miles. Called Ford's hq cs an received a letter 01/27/2012 from hq cs was told by Ford motor cs to take the letter sent to me to a dealer. Showed the letter from Ford motor hq cs to local dealer but was told we do not cover defected tires after they called an yelled at the cs rep. In front of me from Ford's hq at which time I said but the letter ask the dealer to honor my reimbursement for parts & service complaint. The dealer's service manager firmly ask me to leave after bringing to their attention if I was the cs rep. I would not honor it either after being yelled at like. That's when the service manager ask me to leave firmly so I honor his request an left. Also, my 2006 Ford Taurus had wear issues. Sincerely, a very dissatisfied customer
Toyo versado lx for 2003 Ford Taurus. I bought these tires and have had nothing but problems since I had them installed. The shake started off slight, and over time has progressed to dangerous levels where I can no longer drive the car. I have taken the car to 5 different front end shops searching for what I thought was a problem with my car. The fourth finally pin pointed the tires. I went back to where I purchased the tires, and neither the shop or toyo want to do anything to fix the safety problem with my car. The shake is now so extensive I can not drive the car due to fear of damaging the steering or suspension components. Each time I have been in, a road force balance is performed, but does not completely remedy the problem. Even the so call front end "expert" said it was the tires. The car can not be driven until I save enough money to buy new tires.
When backing out of my garage to leave for work in the morning I heard a loud popping and screech coming from the left front wheel. I stopped and got out of the car and found my tire flat. Upon inspection by my mechanic it was discovered that the left front coil spring just snapped without warning causing a large tear in the tire. It was very fortunate that this happened when I was in my driveway and not on the highway at high speed. This could have caused a very bad accident. My mechanic said that it will need a new spring and a new tire. Since my front tires are winter tires I will probably have to purchase two to match.
Tire went flat going 65 MPH on a interstate highway. Filled the tire up with air the next day to look for possible leak and noticed valve stem was cracked. I purchased 4 tires in July of 2007. During the month of August 2008, 3 of the tires went flat do to cracked stem valves. The first 3 tires the stem was replaced. The tire that went flat on the highway was taken back to point of purchased and was replaced.
(1-3) vehicle delivered with one tire at 40#, others varied 20-30 #. They continue to lose air pressure, ie 3-5 pounds/ month. No accidents but am concerned. Talked with both Ford selling dealer and Michelin tire dealer. Were rotated at 6000 mi. Repair (nail) of left front tire at about 2000 mi by Michelin dealer. Tires: Michelin p215/60hr 16, touring contact as. Vehicle 2003 Ford Taurus station wagon new 10/ 2003.
1. Driving 60 MPH on a dry expressway, light traffic, shortly after dark. Car lightly loaded (one person, no luggage), tires properly inflated 2. Left rear tire exploded, destroying a good part of the sidewall; able to pull to a safe stop and change tire. 3. Tire company (Goodyear) has been contacted, but no replacement has been made.
Tl*- the contact stated that while backing up the 2003 Ford Taurus with 72000 failure mileage a couple of feet he heard a popping sound. The contact got out of the vehicle and raised it to discover that the driver's front left tire h split and coil spring sheared. The vehicle has not been repaired.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford Taurus, 2% of the model year's 1,223 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Taurus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.