2003 Ford Taurus Review: A Solid Used Car, if You Can Find One That Wasn’t a Fleet Vehicle

There are more efficient and more powerful used cars out there than the 2003 Ford Taurus, but if you can find one in good shape with low miles it’s hard to top when it comes to sheer value.

Is the 2003 Ford Taurus a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – Objectively speaking, the 2003 Taurus is a decent used car, and when you take the price tag into account, it’s excellent. So we can split the difference at “pretty good.”
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – There’s little to complain about in the 2003 Taurus when it comes to seating and storage. As long as the suspension has held out, you should have a roomy, smooth ride.
• Reliability 6/10 – The Taurus has a reputation for being a bit of a clunker, but this comes down to so many used models coming from rental companies, driving schools, taxi companies and so on. If you can find one with just one or two previous owners there’s no reason you can’t hit a quarter million miles.
• Safety 7/10 – Twenty years since the car’s release the safety features may be a bit outdated, but traction control and an automatic fuel-shutoff switch to cut the pump off in an accident make the Taurus safer than most 2003 sedans.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – The Taurus was never the most fuel efficient car, but you could do a lot worse than 20/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Value 8/10 – With entry-level models starting at under $2,000, you’d have a hard time finding a good car for less.

What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Ford Taurus?

Consumer Reports found the 2003 Ford Taurus to be roomy with a smooth ride and easy handling. They were less impressed with the underpowered engine.

Edmunds praises the safety equipment and crash protection, but notes the “rental car stigma.” That’s worth notice if you’re buying used. The Taurus is a popular rental car, and a rental car is more likely to break down early than a car that had just one previous driver. Find out who owned it before you buy.

Kelley Blue Book users liked the handling, but one driver states that the car breaks down a lot, and others note general build quality issues like wimpy speakers and flimsy windshield wipers.

What Common Problems Does the 2003 Ford Taurus Have?

Transmission issues take the lead for 2003 Taurus owners, making up 316 complaints out of the 1,222 on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Issues range from trouble shifting to slow acceleration but ultimately come down to early failure.

A recall was issued for the front brakes, with the concern being that certain aftermarket pad shims could shift and come into contact with the disc, causing permanent damage. If you’re having trouble with the brakes on the test drive, this could mean someone skipped the recall.

With 313 complaints on file, suspension issues are almost as common as transmission problems. Several drivers have reported a front coil spring snapping and puncturing a tire. Reports have noted that this issue was recalled in earlier models, but not in the 2003.

In a twenty year old car, you’re always going to have some wear and tear. The Ford Taurus gets it a little worse than most, given its status as a rental car. Look for one that you can verify was privately owned, because a used rental is a breakdown waiting to happen.

How Long Will the 2003 Ford Taurus Last?

You should expect to spend around $697 a year maintaining your Taurus, according to RepairPal, with exhaust muffler replacements, starting at $877, and new fuel tanks, at $770, being the most expensive common repairs.

The Ford Taurus is a reliable car, or else rental companies wouldn’t buy so many of them in the first place. With oil changes every 3,000 miles and smart driving habits, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to pass 200,000 miles in a well-kept 2003 Taurus.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is pretty basic, especially in the lower trims. The entry-level LX doesn’t even have a tape player, just AM/FM. Higher trim levels add a six-disc CD changer, but don’t hold your breath for any touchscreens or DVD players.

Safety technology is pretty good for 2003, featuring traction control, full airbags, and a fuel shutoff switch to deactivate the fuel pump in an accident.

Is the 2003 Ford Taurus a Good Value?

The 2003 Ford Taurus is a good value if you know how to shop. An SE with around 130,000 miles might go for as little as $1,857, which sounds like a bargain, until you consider that not every Taurus makes it past 150,000 miles.

• SE $2,397
• LX $2,744
• SES $2,995
• SEL $3,085

We’ve already mentioned it above but it bears repeating: You don’t want a Taurus that belonged to a rental company. If you can find one that had one or two previous owners, awesome. If not, you might want to look for something else.

What are the Different Models of the 2003 Ford Taurus?

2003 Taurus trim levels range from the bare bones LX and entry-level SE to the high-end SEL. Each model has a sedan and a wagon variation.

The LX is the base model, featuring:

• AM/FM radio
• Front bench seating with dual recliners
• Cloth seating trim
• Securilock anti-theft system
• Power door locks

LX models aren’t really intended for consumers, rather, they’re usually bought as fleet vehicles to be customized to the purposes of taxi companies, driving schools, etc.

The SE is the true entry-level model, adding:

• Cassette player
• Cruise control

Next up is the mid-range SES, adding:

• CD player
• Four wheel anti-lock braking
• Power adjust driver seat

The SEL is the top-tier trim level, adding:

• Automatic climate control
• Multi-function remote with keyless entry
• Split bench seating
• Alloy wheels
• Leather steering wheel trim

A Deluxe package adds a more robust entertainment suite, with a six-disc CD changer and an MP3 player. Pretty basic by modern standards, but you can see how it would get a renter to pay a little extra back in 2003.

What Engines Come In the 2003 Ford Taurus?

• The 2003 Ford Taurus’ sole engine is a 3.0L SOHC V6. This will produce 155 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s flex fuel-capable and it comes paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission in a front wheel drive configuration.

What Colors Does the 2003 Ford Taurus Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2003 Ford Taurus?

If you want to get down to numbers, the 2003 Ford Taurus’ cabin is an inch narrower and an inch shorter than that year’s Chevy Impala, but you’re not really going to notice the difference. The car is sufficiently roomy for five or six average-sized adults, and the seats are pretty comfortable.

Your main worry is going to be the suspension. Initial reviews reported a smooth ride, but after twenty years on the road those shock absorbers may be getting pretty rickety. When you test drive, see how it performs around tight corners and on bumpy roads.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Ford Taurus Have?

The since-retired station wagon model Taurus can pack up to 81.3 cubic feet in the rear if you put the seats down, just a few cubes shy of that year’s Explorer. You don’t have the ceiling clearance of an SUV, but you could easily pack everything you need for a long camping trip in the back, from coolers and fishing rods to tents and fully-loaded hiking packs.

The cabin comes with cupholders and little slots and pockets all over the place, including the floor console, plus ample leg room and enough headroom that you probably won’t hit the ceiling when you go over a speed bump.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2003 Ford Taurus was the fourth model year of the 4th Generation, launching with the 2000 model and ending with the early cancellation of the 2006 edition, when the nameplate went on hiatus. The Taurus continued to sell as a fleet vehicle, but wouldn’t return to the general market until the 2008 relaunch.

2000: The 4th Generation Taurus launched with a whole new look with sleek, modernized edges. The airbag system got an overhaul, and Ford dropped the “retro” oval windows in the rear for a modern rectangular look.

2001: For 2001, the Taurus got a few minor performance tweaks for slightly better fuel economy.

2002: New body colors. That’s about it for 2002.

2003: Some cosmetic changes were made for certain trim levels in 2003, like the SEL received a new satin finish for the instrument cluster background. The door seals were improved for a quieter cabin.

2004: Some slight style revisions were made for 2004, notably a brand new grille and taillights.

2005: Ford streamlined the trim list for 2005, cutting it down to just the base SE and the top-tier SEL.

2006: Ford dropped the Wagon from the lineup in 2006. By the end of the year they would drop the Taurus entirely, replacing it with the Fusion and the 500.

How Does the 2003 Ford Taurus Compare to the Competition?

The 2003 Ford Taurus’ nearest competitor, the Chevy Impala, is both more powerful and more fuel efficient. The entry level V6 engine delivers 180 horsepower, 25 horses more than you get in the Taurus. But, the Impala costs about a thousand dollars more than the Taurus on average.

If you’re looking for a Japanese make, the 2003 Nissan Altima is also more powerful than the Taurus, starting out with a 175 horsepower inline-four engine, and a little more fuel efficient, averaging a couple miles more to the gallon. And, like the Impala, is usually listed at around a thousand bucks more than the Taurus.

The Altima wins on fuel efficiency, the Impala wins on horsepower and engine options, but the Taurus is hard to beat when it comes to bang-for-buck. If you can avoid buying a retired rental car, and if you can keep it in shape, you may be surprised at how much value you can get out of a two thousand dollar Taurus.

Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Ford Taurus?