KnownCarProblems2002 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Taurus, most often about the suspension (68% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Ford Taurus problems
Suspension
962 complaints · 68%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Took 2002 Ford Taurus to kan rock tire dealer to have drivers' side tire replaced after having had a flat while my son was backing out of my driveway. Tire dealer stated that the cause of the flat tire was that the drivers side coil spring had fractured and punctured the tire, thus ruining it. Tire dealer would not…
My sister's 2002 Ford Taurus broke its left front coil spring as she left the driveway. The coil spring snapped, sliced the tire (all the way around), and broke the sway bar link. The coil spring, struts, and sway bar link were replaced on the left and the right side. A new tire was installed. The total repair bill…
Visibility and wipers
100 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls.
I drive a 2002 Ford Taurus wagon, purchased new from the dealer, the warranty is now up. I was driving my car(canadian winter) and turned on my heater. I smelled something burning, and then smoke started coming out from under the dash. I turned the heater off and it went away. I took it to the dealer and they told me…
The motors of the two windows on the driver's side of a 2002 Taurus 4 door sedan both failed. The Ford dealer determined that the motors had failed and offered to replace them at $225 each. Charge for inspection was $42. Having power windows that won't go down could be a safety problem in some situations.
Speed control
76 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The accelerator pedal also depressed to the floorboard. The contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a communication box, went…
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact attempted applied extreme pressure to the brakes but the vehicle did not stop until crashing into a concrete parking bar. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for…
Engine
61 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
2002 Ford Taurus almost got on fire on 11/2/11. There was gray smoke and horrible burning smell coming out of the front of Ford car. Called the police dept, they came and found a belt broke.... If it were not for the police persons that came to let me know what the problem is and what to do, along with the fact (and…
Blower motor not always working, husband took apart and it was all corroded in there. He cleaned it up and it worked for about 3 months and started all over again. And finally quit we replaced with a new one.
Body and structure
54 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
2002 se Taurus - water leaking onto the passenger side floor through the air blower. Apparently coming in through a cowl (?) during heavy rain, the passenger floor collects water dripping form under the glove box and the blower area. Ford company told me this is my problem and not theirs...how do I get them to take my…
Component: electrical system details: heater blower resistor blew from water injection from cowl from windshield. Mechanic stated that cowl was problem. Permitted water to get into blower resistor. Blower resistor was irreparable. Replacement of cowl and blower resistor costs 325.00. Cause: defective cowl. Result…
Wheels and tires
48 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, rim.
I was backing out of the driveway on 12/4/07 in ,y 2002 Ford Taurus ses when I heard a loud bang under the car. The driver side front tire blew out. When I removed it, I saw that the coil spring had broken and cut into the tire.
Driving down the interstate coil spring on front drivers side fractured. Coil spring punctured tire and the tire immediately deflated resulting in loss of control of vehicle.
Air bags
47 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
While driving 25 MPH the vehicle collided into an electric post. As a result, the passenger side airbag did not deploy and the driver side airbag deployed halfway then deflated without warning. Please provide additional information.
I am being told this third party as I was unable to see the accident scene and have not seen a police report. My 19-yr old daughter was exiting a main road slowing to a stop. She was doing approximately 2-3 MPH when she was struck from behind by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact knocked her…
Brakes
45 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, disc.
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus and when I took the car in for brake service my mechanic discovered that 3 of 4 coil springs were broken. The left rear spring spun and cut a gouge in a tire with less than 100 miles on it. There is no recall on this item so for replacement of the springs I was socked with a $400 bill. I…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that three days after the vehicle was purchased it was inspected and the inspector stated that the rear suspension and the brakes were defective. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the brakes as well as the tires replaced. The contact stated…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Ford Taurus recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
Fix: 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 april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
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 the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace these windshields. Owner notification began on march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford/mercury at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields may potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Brakes: pedals and linkages
Risk: This could result in a customer experiencing an "unintended vehicle speed increase" or a perceived "unable to stop" condition.
Fix: Owners will be instructed as to the proper way to set the position of the pedals and to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the spacing between the brake and accelerator pedals measured. If the spacing is found to be less than 50 mm, the dealer will adjust the pedals to increase the distance between them to greater than 50 mm. Owner notification began october 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable padels are being recalled in order to adjust the brake and accelerator pedals to a minimum of 50 mm of lateral separation. Simultaneous application of both the brake and accelerator pedals could result in an increase in engine RPM.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Speed control cable damage
Summary
On june 21, 2013, ford initiated customer satisfaction program 13b04 to address a concern with speed control cable damage in certain model year (my) 2000 through 2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l 4v duratec engines and built at the chicago assembly plant.in the dealer letter for the program, ford indicates that the speed control cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming partially disconnected during under hood vehicle maintenance (e.g., replacing a battery or changing the air filter) and that a damaged speed control cable could interfere with the throttle's full return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released.ford's program instructs dealers t
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
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. Odi is also aware of four minor crashes related to the alleged defect resulting in one minor injury.with greater than eight years of exposure, a large subject vehicle population and approximately 2,052 reported front tire punctures caused by fractured coil springs (at all speeds), there have been no reported severe crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleg
Brake/accelerator pedal application
Summary
Ms. Rodman reported that after her vehicle was inspected for the recall, her mother experienced a sudden acceleration and crashed the sable into a light pole.previously NHTSA had conducted an investigation for this issue (pe02-035) that resulted in the recall (02v-266) of 369,000 my 2000-2002 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator pedals to insure that the separation between the pedals was at least 50mm..a review of odi's database for complaints regarding recall 02v-266 did not identify any recall remedy complaints other than the petitioner's.ms. Rodman?s vehicle was inspected by odi using ford?s special tool and her vehicle was found to exceed 50mm.also, th
Brake light switch failure
Summary
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v-078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v-078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v-078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in t
Questions about the 2002 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (962 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); visibility and wipers (100 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); speed control (76 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2004 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is the most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000, with 1,426 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.