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2003 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Ford Taurus is a passenger car equipped with a 4.5‑quart, 5W‑20 API oil capacity engine and a four‑speed automatic transmission. It returns an EPA rating of 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg. Owner reports tally 1,223 complaints, with suspension leading the issues, and the model carries four recalls. Across the Taurus lineage from 1990 to 2019, complaint volumes peaked at 1,822 in 1993 and fell to just 11 in 2019, positioning the 2003 edition in the middle of that historical spread.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 36R OHV · 540 OHV CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 36R OHV · 540 OHV CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	197.6 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3353 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 26 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	105 cu ft
Cargo volume	17 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Taurus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2013 SHO Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	SEL Sedan 3.0L V6	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	155 hp	FWD
2000	SE Sedan 3.0L V6	8.10 sec	16.10 sec	145 hp	FWD
2000	SE Sedan 3.0L V6	8.30 sec	16.30 sec	145 hp	FWD
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	6.80 sec	15.50 sec	263 hp	FWD
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	7.20 sec	15.70 sec	263 hp	AWD
2008	Limited Sedan 3.5L V6	7.50 sec	16.00 sec	263 hp	AWD
2008	X Limited Wagon 3.5L V6	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	263 hp	FWD
1997	SHO Sedan 3.4L V8	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	235 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	USE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 21 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.12 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.60 oz
Optional BCI Group Number	36R OHV, Optional
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	600 OHV, Optional cca
Standard BCI Group Number	36R OHV

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	2
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	30.0-55.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	11 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	1500 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure	40-60 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs / 95 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.154 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	Turn 90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	Loosen 1 turn.
4	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees
6	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen bolts 1 turn.
3	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

8 ft. lbs., step 2: 17

8 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 mi	Fuel Injector (clean)
Every 100,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Ford Taurus experienced a period of elevated complaints between 1999 and 2003, peaking at 1,471 complaints in 2002. The 2003 model year falls at the end of this high-volume arc, recording 1,223 complaints, 4 recalls, and 4 investigations. While 2003 shows a decrease in complaints and Technical Service Bulletins (64) compared to 2002 (1,471 complaints and 122 TSBs), it remains significantly more problematic than the 2004 model, which saw complaints drop to 375. Primary issues for 2003 are concentrated in the suspension (276 complaints) and power train (270 complaints), although the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Additionally, the record notes 56 crash complaints and 12 fire complaints for this specific year. Because 2003 sits at the tail end of a multi-year spike in complaints before a sharp improvement in 2004, this is not a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,223

Owner complaints

56 involved a crash · 12 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,223 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension276

Power Train270

Visibility131

Vehicle Speed Control65

Structure52

Electrical System40

Engine & Engine Cooling39

Air Bags35

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16E026000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:PadsReported 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598… Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at…

04V106000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 02/03/2004

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 64 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB 20-2233	2020-07-13	Structure	This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
CSP-13B04	2013-06-21	Vehicle Speed Control	FORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPEED CONTROL CABLE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO…
04208	2006-01-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Taurus. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 36R battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Taurus take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taurus get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.