03 Taurus Steering Noise

Its a known condition on all fords :)

My 99 Grand Marquis does that, so did my '95 Contour and my '79 Tbird.

(Mom's '86 Escort, etc...)

All fords have noisy/whiny power steering pumps and clanky starters :)

That's the way they're designed I guess...

Hmm, I have owned four Fords so far, ranging from an '85 LTD to a '98 Explorer. Though they sure had their share of annoyances, none had a whiny steering pump or a clanky starter. So perhaps the number is all minus four?

Come on... those steering pumps have that distinctive whining noise.

Starters have that distinctive sound too..

1979 Tbird Heritage Edition had those funky noises, but lots of power, I loved that 4-barreled 351 :) 1979 Celica GT coupe, none (god I miss that car, it was my favorite) 1984 Skyhawk, none (that one I had to turn off while in D :) BIG POS 1984 Chevette, none (didn't have P/S), but with an ejectable lighter and self-fixing clutch pedal... 1982 Prelude, none, second POS. Hondas are really overhyped IMHO 1986 Renault 5, I think the starter had more power than the engine itself... :) tough little undestructible tank, I miss it too, especially in snow. 1992 Cavy, none, wipers where noisy as hell though. 1995 Contour, whining P/S pump, clanky starter, big mistake, the only thing that worked right was the radio. Should've had a heated trunk, at least I would have kept my hands warm while pushing it. 1999 Grand Marquis LS, I can for sure hear the steering pump, and the starter has always sounded like a trash compactor. Very good comfy car though. Built tough & reliable. 2 Civics destroyed themselves rear-ending me (why the heck do they put *Styrofoam in bumpers* ) ????

Those were mine.

My mom's old '86 Escort, same sounds + squealing brakes from the start. Very reliable too.

Compared to my '88 & '94 Taurus's my '00 Sable's pump is quiet even at 115k miles. If you think your Gen 4 car is noisey, take a listen to the Gen 1, 2 & 3 cars.