Page 17 of 29 · complaints 801–850 of 1,426

2002 Ford Taurus complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 30, 2008136,000 milesNY

BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HEARD UNUSUAL GRINDING/RUBBING SOUND. BROUGHT CAR INTO LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE, WEARING A GROOVE INTO IT. THIS HAD THE POTENTIAL FOR A TIRE BLOWOUT AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INVESTIGATING FORD COIL PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND FOLLOWING MECHANIC RECOMMENDATION, DECIDED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND STRUTS. ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS BUT ONLY UP UNTIL THE 2001 MODEL YEAR. THERE IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THESE SPRINGS AND THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE FRONT AND BACK SPRINGS AS WELL AS EXTENDED TO LATER MODEL YEARS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 30, 200884,000 milesPA

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY HEARD RUBBING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR, STARTED PULLING FORWARD TO DRIVE AWAY STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE SOURCE OF NOISE, THOUGHT IT WAS FROZEN BRAKES, LOUD NOISE AND REAR TIRE EXPLODED. PUT ON SMALL SPARE TIRE AND DROVE TO WORK. AFTER WORK STOPPED AT TIRE SHOP FOR NEW TIRE, THEY SHOWED ME DAMAGE TO TIRE CAUSED BY BROKEN REAR SUSPENSION SPRING. TOLD ME ABOUT BEING A FREQUENT EVENT FOR FORD TAURUS?S. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2001 FORD TAURUS FOR FRONT SPRINGS, MY CAR IS A 02 TAURUS AND IT WAS THE REAR SPRING. CALLED FORD THEY WERE NO HELP OTHER THAN SAY I SHOULD CONTACT NHTSA. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 29, 2008130,000 milesOH

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 26, 200864,000 milesOH

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY TRAVELING AT 60MPH WHEN THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. HE SAID HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN FOLLOWED RUBBING AND MORE LOUD NOISES. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE COULD FEEL THE CAR PULLING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HE PULLED THE CAR OVER TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND HE NOTICED THAT THE SPRING WAS BUSTED. HE THEN HAD TO CALL AAA AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 TAURUS WITH AROUND 64000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SO CALLED SPRING PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD ESPECIALLY SINCE WE HAD TO PAY FOR NEW SPRINGS ON MY 2001 TAURUS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE CAR WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE COIL SPRING RECALL AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHY ISN'T THIS PARTICULAR CAR UNDER THE RECALL AND OUR '01 TAURUS IS? THIS CAR WAS MADE IN 2001 AND WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2002. I AM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AND IM NOT HAVING ANY LUCK GETTING ANY STRAIGHT ONES. I THINK ALL THESE CARS WITH THESE PARTICULAR SPRINGS SHOULD BE RECALLED EVEN IF ITS THE REAR SPRINGS ALSO. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TAURUS NOW. MY FAMILY DOESN'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL TRAVELING IN THEM AND NEITHER DO I. THIS IS AGAIN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I HOPE THAT YOU RECALL THESE VEHICLES SO NO ONE ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH WHAT MY HUSBAND HAD TO GO THROUGH. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FRONT END IS NOW LOWER AND THE FENDER IS RUBBING SINCE THE SPRING BROKE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 25, 200857,634 milesOH

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS TO THE STORE & FELT THE TIRE GOING FLAT. SHE STOPPED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE, & THE TIRE WOULD NOT HOLD THE AIR SO SHE CALLED ME. WHEN I GOT THERE I TRIED TO PUT THE JACK UNDER THE TIRE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS & I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE JACK UNDER THE CAR. WITH SOME ADDITIONAL HELP I DID FINALLY GET A JACK UNDER & GOT THE TIRE OFF TO SEE A HUGE TEAR IN IT. I THEN NOTICED THE BROKEN COIL SPRING. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING BECAUSE I HAD AN OLDER TAURUS THAT FORD HAD RECALLED FOR THE DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. ALL THE FORD GARAGES SAID THAT THEIR COMPUTERS WERE DOWN & I WOULD HAVE TO CALL THEM BACK. I CONTACTED THE GARAGE AT THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FOR A REPAIR & THEY CHECKED WITH FORD & SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT YEAR. I GOT THE FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUT THAT WAS BROKEN IN THE PROCESS OF THE SPRING BREAKING & AS THE DEALER WAS CHECKING THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THAT ALONG WITH THE STRUT. I HAVE TALKED TO A FEW OTHER TAURUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO. WHY HAS FORD NEVER FIXED THIS PROBLEM? IS IT GOING TO TAKE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING FATALLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 23, 200899,500 milesNJ

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS THAT HAD THE DRIVER SIDE SPRING BROKE THIS MORNING, FORTUNATELY IN THE DRIVE WAY, RESULTING IN A BROKEN AXLE AS WELL. IN RESEARCHING ON LINE, I FOUND THAT MODEL YEARS 1999 TO 2001 HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND ALTHOUGH IT IS APPARENTLY HAPPENING ON 2002 MODELS (BASED ON INTERNET DATA) I CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER ON FORD'S WEBSITE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. MY SON USES THIS CAR AS WELL AND I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF HE WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING WHEN THIS SPRING BROKE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 19, 200892,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEFLATE. HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jun 19, 200867,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. IN APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND SPRING. ON JUNE 12, 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS FAILED. THE COST FOR BOTH FAILURES WAS OVER $1,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 18, 200854,193 milesNY

JUNE 2007 DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS WERE BROKE RESULTING IN REAR STRUT FAILURE (47124 MILES). JUNE 12, 2008 (54193 MILES) RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE. CAR WAS AGAIN REPAIRED AT C & M FORD IN MASSENA WHERE I DISCOVERED 1) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1999-2001 FORD TAURUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND 2) THAT THERE WERE THREE (3) INCLUDING MYSELF 2002 TAURUS' THAT HAD BROKEN FRONT SPRING THIS WEEK. THREE FAILURES IN ONE WEEK FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR SEEM EXTREMELY HIGH FOR A SMALL TOWN LIKE MASSENA, NY. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE WEB I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM ALL OVER. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jun 15, 200875,000 milesIN

IN FEBRUARY, 2008, HAD BOTH REAR SPRINGS FIXED ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. WAS TOLD BY THE GARAGE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD BUT THE 2002 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. JUST TODAY, JUNE 15, 2008, WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WITH MY FAMILY HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN IT SOUNDED LIKE WE RAN OVER A LOG - MY HUSBAND CHECKED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BUSTED. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 12, 200897,925 milesNY

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING FAILURE. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 12, 200873,700 milesMO

DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING . SPRING NEEDS REPLACED AS DOES THE REAR TIRE AS THE SPRING TORE INTO THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2008111,514 milesIL

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK THAT COMES FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER. IT ALSO LEAKS TO THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I FELT A SHOCK! I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM UNTIL MY BLOWER WENT OUT AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS DEFECT. I DID GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A RESISTER PART. THE BLOWER AND OTHER PARTS RAN THE BILL UP TO $400. PLEASE CAN SOMETHING BE DONE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 10, 200860,000 milesNY

2002 TAURUS, BROKEN SPRINGS AT <60,000 MILES. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION-IT EXPLODED THE FRONT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 10, 200834,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. IN APRIL OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SOMETHING BREAK IN THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED. BOTH COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. ON JUNE 8, 2008, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED AND, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, THE SPRING RIPPED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE APART. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,730 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 10, 200852,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY FLATTENED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Jun 10, 200886,000 milesNH

OWNER OF FORD TAURUS 2002 SEL, DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE IN 2 PLACES. LOCKING UP FRONT RIGHT TIRE AT LOW SPEED. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT AT HIGHER SPEED. FORD PRESENTLY HAS RECALLS ON 2000 AND 2001 SPRINGS BUT NONE ON 2002. WANT COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. WAYNE N. WALLACE. *TR UPDATED (6/24/2008): MRS. WALLACE CLARIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED. MR. WALLACE JUST HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPRING FAILURE. HE DROVE HOME FROM THE TIRE PLACE, PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR SAT FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN MR. WALLACE WENT TO THE CAR, HE DISCOVERED A FLAT TIRE. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A HOIST AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN.

Suspension
Filed Jun 10, 200894,600 milesWI

DROVE MY CAR IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND WHEN CHECKING IT OUT FOUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 6, 200875,633 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,633.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 27, 200896,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE RPM'S INCREASE TO 1,100. ALSO, WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE IDLES AT HIGH RPM'S. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,304 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed May 27, 200870,000 milesMS

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAD WATER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. WE COULDN'T EXPLAIN HOW IT GOT THERE. WE CHECKED EVERYWHERE - NOTHING. THEN, OUR DEFROST AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. JUST RECENTLY, NOTHING WORKS. THE BLOWER OR FAN STOPPED PUTTING ANY AIR OUT. I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH AND A TON OF CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORDS AS WELL. EACH ONE DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT WENT WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE -- WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR BOARD AND THEIR AC/DEFROST SYSTEM ONLY WORKING ON HIGH OR NOT AT ALL. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 22, 2008100,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND THEN HEARD A TIRE POP. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS. HE CALLED FORD AND WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON HIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN AND YEAR WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 16, 200864,000 milesKY

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY RAPID RELEASE OF AIR FROM MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND THAT THE PROTRUDING SHARP END HAD REACHED OUT AND SNAGGED THE TIRE RIPPING A GASH 16 INCHES LONG IN THE INNER SIDEWALL. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE WILL BE REQUIRED. SPRING WHICH FAILED SHOWED RUST PENETRATION AT POINT OF FAILURE TO BE ABOUT 30% OF THE CROSS SECTION OF THE SPRING WIRE DIAMETER. THE PAINTED COATING ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE AT THE POINT OF BREAKAGE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SURFACE RUST ON THE SPRINT IN THAT AREA. THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS ON OTHER AREAS OF THE PAINTED COATING THAT CORROSION IS PRESENT UNDER THE COATING. I HAVE BOTH PARTS OF THE BROKEN SPRING IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed May 16, 200870,000 milesIN

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. ON CLOSER INSPECTION THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WENT INTO THE BACK SIDE OF THE TIRE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, A NEW TIRE PUT ON IT, A NEW SPRING PUT ON IT, AND A NEW STABILITY LINK. I AM GLAD IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THIS MODEL AND WE SHOULD CONTACT FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS, OR REPORT IT. I DON'T HAVE THE WHOLE BROKEN SPRING, BUT II DO HAVE A SMALL PART OF IT. IT BROKE ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM SPRING SEAT. I HAVE THE 5 INCH PIECE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 16, 2008113,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A SPRING SNAP. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT, BUT SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL. SHE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY (APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES) AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, FOLLOWED BY A CLOUD OF SMOKE AROUND THE BLOWOUT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. SHE HEARD ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS), BUT IT ONLY APPLIED TO THE 1999-2001 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE MECHANIC WENT TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FROM THE TOWING POSITION AND THE OTHER FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/24/08. 8JB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 15, 200891,375 milesWI

2002 FORD TAURUS WITH COIL SPRING FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING DESTROYED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. *KB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 15, 200855,695 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THE TIRE WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $288.15. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,695.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 13, 200860,000 milesPA

FORD TAURUS 2002, BUILT ON 10/9/01 IN CHICAGO. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND CUT INTO TIRE. WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVE WAY TO GO TO SHOP. SON IN LAW AND I DISASSEMBLED STRUT AND SPRING. TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT. 1999 THROUGH 2001 MODELS HAVE A RECALL NOTICE OF 04V332000 DATED 2004-JUL-15. 2002 SHOULD BE INCLUDED AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 12, 200851,637 milesIL

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND AFTER TAKING CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. ONE SPRING WAS STARTING TO RUB AGAINST TIRE. CAR ONLY HAS 51K MILES. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR SPRING REPLACEMENT. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 12, 2008116,000 milesMI

WITHIN ONE MONTH, TWO BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND I HAVE HAD OUR 2002 TAURUS FRONT SPRINGS BREAK CAUSING A FLAT TIRE AND EXTENSIVE LINKAGE REPAIRS. THERE IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V332000, BUT IT ONLY GOES TO MODEL YEAR 2001. FORD SHOULD EXTEND THIS RECALL TO WHAT EVERY YEAR THEY USED THIS DESIGN! A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FINDS MANY 2002 COMPLAINTS... *TR

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed May 12, 200844,483 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. SHE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND WENT TO THE TIRE STORE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPRING STRUT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO GARAGE AND THE SPRING STRUT AND STABILIZER BAR WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $300. THE MANUFACTURER ADDED THE CONTACT'S NAME TO THE RECALL WAITING LIST, BUT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,483.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 12, 200899,000 milesOH

YESTERDAY I DROPPED OFF MY CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE, JUST AS I PULLED IN TO THE MECHANIC'S DRIVE THE FRONT-LEFT OF THE CAR DROPPED 4" AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. A COIL BROKE, AND RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD. THE 2002 AND LATER MODELS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS FOR SOME REASON. FORTUNATELY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE SINCE THAT IS WHERE MOST OF MY DRIVING IS DONE. *TR

Tires
Filed May 11, 2008158,000 milesMI

NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, TIRES FAILED TO HOLD AIR PRESSURE. BOTH FRONT TIRES WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER FAILED. TIRES APPEARED TO BE DRY ROTTED ON CORNER OF SIDE WALLS. BOTH TIRES HAD SAME AREA OF DRY ROT/CRACKS IN TREAD. TIRES HAD LESS THEN 20,000 MILES ON THEM AND WHERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED. DEALER REPLACED TIRES. MFG. TBC, TOURING TR VANDERBILT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 8, 2008118,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE THEFT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,353 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Suspension
Filed May 8, 200875,624 milesWI

COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY, HE STATED IT WAS ABOUT THE SIXTH TAURUS HE HAD TOWED THAT MONTH WITH THE SAME, EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN WE GOT TO THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE SAID HE FIXES THESE ALL THE TIME ON TAURUS' AND HE'S VERY SURPRISED THEY WILL NOT COVER IT ON A RECALL. I WAS JUST RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET & FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME ISSUE ON 2002 FORD TAURUS'. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 7, 2008100,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE DROPPED COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT PLACED A SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 6, 200846,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION IN THE VEHICLE. THE SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE COIL PURGE AND SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVE SIDE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO FLATTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION. HE ALSO DISCOVERED A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE SAME FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE THE AFFECTED UNITS DATE WAS FIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO HIS VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURED DATE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 6, 200853,287 milesNY

2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON CAR WAS IN A DRIVEWAY JUST AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON A INTERSTATE. PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE A SOUND OF METAL AND A EXPLOSION OF THE TIRE WAS HEARD (IF IT WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE PEELED IT FROM THE RIM). DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND BROKEN SPRING SLASHED A 10 INCH GASH IN THE TIRE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED FIVE MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY SITUATION. WE WERE VERY LUCKY. I HAD TO HAVE THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON BUT THE SPRING WAS STILL TOUCHING THE TIRE. THE SPRING HAD TO BE CUT SO AS TO MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT CUTTING THE SPARE TIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN SEVEN MILES TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND A NEW TIRE PUT ON. JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DON'T. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 5, 2008104,672 milesMI

2002 FORD TAURUS FRONT LEFT SPRING BROKE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING AND FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB

Suspension › Front
Filed May 3, 2008120,000 milesRI

I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOT. I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND AIR RUSHING OUT. I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CALLED AAA AND SERVICE GUY CAME AND TOLD ME THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. I KNOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON SOME MODEL TAURUS BUT NOT MINE. I WAS FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A TIRE NEW AND TWO NEW SPRINGS. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed May 2, 200840,000 milesNH

2002 FORD TAURUS SEL: THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR IS SHOT, WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE SO IT MADE ME DO SOME ONLINE RESEARCH. TURNS OUT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THE TAURUS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT ON OUR DIME AGAIN. WE PULL THE MOTOR OUT AND THERE IS WATER INSIDE IT. WE'VE TRIED FINDING A LEAK OR SOURCE OF THE WATER BUT NO LUCK. THIS IS GETTING COSTLY AND THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL #03V087000 FOR OTHER TAURUS MODELS, OURS SHOULD BE INCLUDED ALSO. PROBLEM STARTED WITH 40K MILES AND NOW WITH 55K IT STILL A ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed May 1, 200860,000 milesOH

I WAS PULLING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF A SPRING UNCOILING. AS I CONTINUED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD THE SOUND OF SOMETHING RUBBING AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. I MADE A U-TURN AND PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS THEN THAT I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SITTING LOWER THAN THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A BROKEN SPRING. FORD HAS RECALLED THE 2001 TAURUS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRS WILL BE AROUND $500. THE CAR AS 60,000 MILES. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Apr 30, 200884,000 milesOH

2002 FORD TAURUS , FOUND BROKEN REAR SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, NOW HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH REAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS ALONG WITH REAR SWAY BAR LINKS. $1000.00 REPAIR I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR . FROM I'VE READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. MAY REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS AND SPRINGS ALSO BECAUSE I'VE FOUND THOSE HAVE BEEN BREAKING ALOT ALSO. SPOKE TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SAID TOUGH LUCK PAY FOR IT YOURSELF. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 27, 200821,700 milesWI

BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE HEARD A LOUD BANG, STOPPED CAR, DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY LAYING ON THE GROUND, THE DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PIERCED AND FLATTENED THE FRONT TIRE ALSO THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT HAD STRESSED SO MUCH THAT THE BALL BEARINGS HAD POPPED OUT. HAD A HECK OF A TIME TO GET A JACK UNDER THE CAR TO PUT ON THE SPARE SO WE COULD HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP. REPLACED THE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS, REPLACED BOTH UPPER FRONT STRUT MOUNTS, REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SWAY BAR END LINK WAS DAMAGED WHEN COIL BROKE AND CAR LEANED. ALSO FOUND THE REAR STRUTS TO BE BAD AND HAD BOTH REAR STRUTS AND COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. THEN HAD TO HAVE A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. THIS COIL SPRING FAILURE AT LESS THAN 22000 MILES COASTED OVER $1,000. WE ARE JUST GLAD THAT WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE COIL SPRING FAILED!! *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 25, 200870,000 milesMI

MY DAUGHTER WHO IS AT COLLEGE, DRIVES A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE OTHER DAY SHE WENT TO BACK OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE AT SCHOOL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHEN THEY TRIED TO PUT THE SPARE ON THEY FOUND THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PIERCED THE TIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THESE CARS. THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY! *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 21, 200881,639 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. WHEN TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE FRONT SPRING COIL FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,639. UPDATE 05/13/08 *BF

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 21, 200853,642 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, SHE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AIR COMING FROM HER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE TIRE WAS RUPTURED DUE TO A CORRODED COIL SPRING. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,642.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 19, 200894,610 milesWI

THIS LETTER IS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WHICH WAS THE FOCUS OF A RECALL OF MODEL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2001. THIS IS IDENTIFIED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 04S17 AND RECALL NUMBER 04V332000. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THIS ISSUE STILL PERSISTS WITH THE 2002 MODEL. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON THIS TAURUS IS: XXXXXXXXXXXX I WAS BACKING MY FORD OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 11TH AND AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL TO EXIT, A LOUD CRACK SOUNDED AND THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR DROPPED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE NEXT DAY THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE COIL SPRINGS HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AND SNAPPED. THEY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SECOND COIL SPRING WAS IN THE SAME CONDITION, SO THEY REPLACED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $1,580.83. AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY LIABILITY, AND I AM VERY THANKFUL THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY TO OR FROM WORK. FOR A CAR BEING ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD IT IS HARD TO COMPREHEND THAT THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A MAINTENANCE ITEM BY FORD. I CAN ONLY ASSUME FORD DOES NOT WANT UNSATISFIED CUSTOMERS SADDLED WITH THIS KIND OF COST FOR WHAT MUST BE CONSIDERED AN ISSUE WITH PRODUCT QUALITY. AFTER SENDING THE ABOVE INFORMATION TO FORD - I RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE: YOUR RECENT LETTER HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND REVIEWED. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WE MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT OUR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 19, 200856,587 milesNJ

ON 3/12/2008 CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG .TIRE WENT FLAT. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SPRING WAS BROKEN . IT IS A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES. FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE, RESULTING IN A PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE. LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 660.00 AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR NEW SPRINGS AND A TIRE. INSTEAD I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED 2 FRONT COIL SPRINGS, 2 FRONT STRUTS, ONE WHICH WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, NEW WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND ONE FRONT TIRE. TOTAL 850.00. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 18, 200896,000 milesWI

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY ALLEY I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE CAR DROPPED DOWN A FEW INCHES AND BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES. I CAREFULLY PULLED BACK INTO MY DRIVE AND AFTER JACKING UP THE CAR FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. IT DID NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE BUT BROKE SOME SORT OF LINK. *TR

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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