TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SPRING, PLATES, AND TIRES ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $668.81. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 07/09/08 *BF UPDATED *JB
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 →
I DRIVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS WITH ABOUT 79,000 MILES. WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN MY DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE MADE SOME ODD NOISES AND WAS NOT BACKING UP. IT FELT AS IF SOMETHING WAS UNDER THE CAR PREVENTING IT FROM MOVING OR LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN THE SNOW OF THE PARKING SPOT (IT WAS FEBRUARY). I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE WHEELS TO FIND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND DAMAGED. AAA MECHANICS CAME TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE BOTTOM PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING FELL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHILE IT WAS JACKED UP. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. I WAS TOLD (AND MY RESEARCH CONFIRMED) THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. I AM GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHILE TRAVELING AS I WAS PLANNING TO DO LATER THAT AFTERNOON! THE DEALER HAD STATED (TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT) THAT DESPITE A RECALL BEING ISSUED FOR VEHICLES FROM 1999 TO 2001 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY COULD NOT OFFER ME ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. THE REPAIR COST ME $519 TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS, TWO NEW FRONT TIRES, LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK (WHICH BROKE WHEN THE SPRING SNAPPED) AND ASSOCIATED LABOR. I AM HOLDING ON TO ALL RECEIPTS IN HOPES THAT FORD WILL ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX ANY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR
WHILE GETTING A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER NOTICED MY COIL SPRING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKE. FORD HAS HAD A HISTORY OF COIL SPRING FAILURES AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL SPRINGS. *TR
OUR 2002 SE FORD TAURUS WHILE SITTING PERFECTLY STILL SUFFERED A FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FAILURE. IT PUNCTURED THE TIRE, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO IT BEING TOWED AND THE REPLACING OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING, WE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRE, BUT WE DIDN'T THINK TO REQUEST THE BROKEN COIL SPRING. WE DO HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE COIL SPRING EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD, WE FOUND OUT THAT ONLY CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS FOR THE 2002 TAURUS COIL SPRINGS WERE UNDER RECALL. OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. WE SENT A LETTER APPEALING THE DECISION AND RECEIVED A FORM LETTER DENYING THE REQUEST WITH NO MENTION OF THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. IN OUR INVESTIGATION WE FOUND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS 2002 COIL SPRING FAILURES THAT AREN'T UNDER RECALL. JUST A NOTE, OUR 1993 TAURUS NEEDED A BOOT TO PROTECT THE COIL SPRING. WE WERE SURPRISED THAT THIS ISSUE STILL HADN'T BEEN RESOLVED. *TR
2002 TAURUS, BLOWER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. MILEAGE:56,000. *TR
LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. *TR
ON FEB 3, 2008 WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD BANG. SHE GOT OUT AND PICKED UP A PIECE OF COIL SPRING LAYING ON THE DRIVEWAY. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD DEALER ON FEB 4, 2008. DEALER DISCOVERED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN, REPLACED SAME. THIS CAR LIVES ON THE HIGHWAY. NEVER OVERLOADED, USED FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK. *TR
1-28-08 INCIDENT DATE I AM FILING THIS LETTER AGAINST FORD CORP BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THAT WE HAVE HAD A BROKEN SPRING PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME IT WAS THE FRONT SPRING - FORD PAID ABOUT 80% UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM. CAR MILEAGE ABOUT 48,000. ONE YEAR LATTER THE REAR SPRING ABOUT 55,000 MILES. CALLED STARKEY FORD IN YORK MAINE THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROGRAM FOR REAR SPRINGS. CALLED FORD CORP BASICALLY TOLD SAME THING, THEN TOLD CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BY FORD DEALER OR THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AT ALL. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED (140.00) INSPECTED AND WAS RECOMMENDED BY FORD TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AND STRUTS TOTAL COST APPX 590.00. I SAID GO AHEAD WITH REPAIR, AND I WOULD FILE CLAIM WITH FORD CORP CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY SECOND CALL TO FORD CORP, JAN 30, 2008. SPOKE WITH SHERRI, AFTER CONVERSATION, WAS TOLD FORD WOULD PAY FOR ONE BROKEN SPRING ONLY- I TOLD HER IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU ALWAYS CHANGE SPRING IN PAIRS. SHE THEN CALLED STEVE AT STARKEY FORD AND HE TOLD HER THE SAME THING, THAT FORD RECOMMENDS THE CHANGING OF BOTH SPRINGS. I FEEL FORD CORP IS RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE THERE IS A HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE SPRINGS BOTH FRONT AND REAR OF WHICH OUR CAR HAS HAD BOTH HAPPEN IN 1 YEAR. THE ISSUE REGARDING BECAUSE OF COLD CLIMATE, AND SALT CORROSION...FORD IS NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE DRIVEN IN COLD CLIMATES BUT THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE SPRINGS BREAK THEY CUT THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE
NO VISIBILITY ON COLD/SNOW DAYS DUE TO HEATER/DEFROSTER FAILURE. HAVING ZERO VISIBILITY IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NUMEROUS TAURUS OWNERS HAVE INDICATED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HEATER RESISTOR FAILS DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR COMPARTMENT AND SHORTING OUT THE RESISTOR. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER. MY 2002 TAURUS HAD THE HEATER RESISTOR REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO, AND HAS NOW QUIT AGAIN. SINCE THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL STRONG RAIN STORMS. (ALTHOUGH NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THE WATER ALSO COMES INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD CAUSING MOLD AND ODOR PROBLEMS) THROUGH RESEARCH VIA TAURUS OWNER WEBSITES, SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE, IN ADDITION TO THE RESISTOR FAILURE. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE TYPE ISSUE, AND DUE TO THE ZERO VISIBILITY ISSUE, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2002 FORD TAURUS LEFT FRONT COIL SNAPPED, WRAPPED AROUND THE STRUT ASSEMBLY, BROKE THE SWAY BAR LINK AND PUNCTURED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE GETTING EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE SO AS TO MAKE THE WHEEL IMMOVABLE. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME, HOWEVER, A MOMENT LATER AND I'M CERTAIN SOMEONE (MY HUSBAND) WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR PERHAPS SEVERAL PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. HE COULDN'T FREE THE TIRE FROM THE COIL AND HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW. IT COULDN'T BE TOWED; SO THEY SENT FOR A FLAT BED TO TRANSPORT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WITH THE BUSTED PARTS AFTER WE HAD EVERYTHING REPLACE BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT COILS AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES AND SWAY BAR LINKS AND LEFT FRONT TIRE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 1999, 2000, AND 2001 ; THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY PUT A PROTECTIVE SHIELD ON THE VEHICLES WHICH PREVENTED THE COIL FROM PUNCTURING THE TIRE. HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT EXTEND TO THE 2002 TAURUS. PERHAPS FORD MOTORS SHOULD RETHINK THIS MATTER AND CONSIDER PUTTING A SHIELD ON THE 2002'S ALSO. DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE TAKING STEPS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I RETAINED THE OLD PARTS, I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THEM AND WILL BE SENDING THE COIL AND SWAY BAR LINK TO FORD MOTORS. I WILL KEEP THE STRUTS AND TIRE IN THE EVENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THEM. HOWEVER THEY ARE HEAVY AND BULKY AND WILL BE RATHER DIFFICULT TO SEND, BUT I WILL SEND THEM UP
2002 FORD TAURUS FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE COIL SPRING BROKE HER TRANSMISSION DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DAMAGE IS THE SAME AS RECALL. CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *KB
THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES TURN IT OFF. WHEN LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS, THE CRUISE CONTROL REACTIVATES IF THE RESUME BUTTON IS BRUSHED. MY LOCAL FORD AGENCY EXPLAINED THAT IT'S CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THAT'S THE SAME PROBLEM THAT LEAD TO EARLIER RECALLS BY FORD. *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS AND FRONT TIRES. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRINGS BE REPLACED BEFORE A FAILURE OCCURS. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $640.27. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEAR OUT OF PARK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
MY FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE COIL SPRING FRACTURE DAMAGED MY FRONT END STRUTS AND LINKS, CUT UP MY LEFT TIRE AND DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT END AXEL BOOT. I HAD TO PAY $1000 TO GET EVERYTHING FIXED. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND ONE OF THE NATIONAL NUMBER SERVICE PEOPLE WHO CLAIMED THAT MODEL AND MAKE YEAR OF THE FORD TAURUS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE LONG-STANDING RECALL THAT THEY'VE HAD FOR OTHER FORD TAURUS' IN RECENT YEARS. MY SERVICEMAN AT THE AUTOSHOP THAT ENDED UP REPAIRING IT SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG FORD TAURUS' AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE DEALER DID NOTHING TO COMPENSATE ME. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS. ON THE EVENING OF JAN. 22, 2008 MY WIFE WAS LEAVING WORK WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD THUMP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FELL DOWNWARD. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER, MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAVING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, WE HAD IT TOWED TO A NEAR BY AUTO REPAIR STATION WHERE IT WAS THAN INSPECTED. NEEDING THE VEHICLE ASAP, THE TECHNICIAN CALLED THAT NIGHT TO INFORM US THAT THE DRIVERS FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND THAT IT WAS WEDGE INTO THE WHEEL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION HE FOUND THAT THE PASS FRONT COIL SPRING WAS ALSO CRACKED. NEEDING THE VEHICLE, I HAD THEM DO THE REPAIRS WHICH INCLUDED COIL SPRINGS, STRUTS, DAMAGED SWAY BAR LINKS, AND BEARINGS FOR A TOTAL $ 810.84. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP I WAS TOLD BY THE TECH THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ARE ALSO CRACKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED ASAP. I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MATTER BUT ONLY ON THE 2001. WHY NOT THE 2002 AND WHAT CORRECTIONS WERE MADE? IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE STILL OCCURS ON THE 2002 VEHICLE. I DID CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR HELP PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS, BUT WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THANK GOD MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE SPRING BROKE AND WEDGED IN THE WHEEL. *TR
2002 FORD TAURUS WITH FAILED COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IT SHOULD BE. COIL SPRING FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH FRONT TIRES THAT WAS BEYOND REPAIR. *KB
HEATER FAN NOT WORKING CAUSING LOSS OF DEFROST IN WINTER ALMOST RESULTING IN COLLISION. *TR
ON DEC 15,2007 PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE SPRING ASSEMBLY BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. NEED TO REPLACE SPRING ASSEMBLY STRUT AND SWAY BAR. CONTACT FORD AFTER THE REPAIR,THEY DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS ON TAURUS, BUT NOT MY VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
2002 FORD TAURUS WITH A FAULTY FRONT SPRING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THOSE VEHICLES AND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED THROUGH THE 2001 MODELS.*KB
THERE IS A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WHEN EVER IT RAINS. THE LEAK COMES FROM ABOVE, AND FLOODS THE FLOOR WHILE THE CAR IS SITTING STILL. THIS HAS CAUSED THE HEATER/COOLING BLOWER TO REPEATEDLY STOP. I HAVE HAS THE FAN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 17 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD TO ADDITIONALLY HAVE THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUAL ONE, AND VERY MUCH HIGHLIGHTED BY MANY TAURUS OWNERS IN MANY FORUMS AND PLACES. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE TAURUS BODY, THAT NOW CONTINUALLY CAUSES INTERNAL PROBLEMS, AND SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FORD TAKES A STAND THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
COMING OUT OF A SHOPPING MALL ONTO HIGHWAY I BROKE THE LEFT FRONT SPRING AND BLEW OUT THE TIRE. *TR
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SPRING FAILED, PUNCTURING THE TIRE ON OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS. FORTUNATELY AT STREET SPEEDS, NOT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT MY 2002 TAURUS SES RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED FOR REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS 86,600 MILES ON IT. ADVISED REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AND STRUTS, FRONT TIRES, AND ALIGNMENT. LOOKED AT THE FIRST COIL THAT BROKE OFF AND FELL TO GROUND. FRACTURE IN COIL HAD RUST ON FIRST THIRD OF SPRING DIAMETER WITH CLEAN FRACTURE FOR REMAINING 2/3 OF THE FRACTURE. ARE WE SURE FORD FIXED THIS ISSUE ENDING WITH THE 2001 MODEL? REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT 800 - AFRAID OF WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED HAD I BEEN TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE I 75 JUST MINUTES BEFORE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SUDDEN POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND HE WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000) ON THE 2001 MODELS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 119,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
BACKING FROM DRIVEWAY WITH SLIGHT BUMP AND FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING EXPLODED AND DESTROYED FRONT LEFT TIRE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND AM AWAITING ESTIMATE ON DAMAGE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY BETWEEN 1-5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $900. FORD HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO A TIRE SERVICE CENTER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED AND SHE NEEDED TO SEE A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
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. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 TAURUS. ON 1/8/08 MY WIFE GOT INTO OUR CAR TO BACK OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. IMMEDIATELY, WITHOUT MOVING THE CAR, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, THE REAL PROBLEM BECAME OBVIOUS. THE FRONT STRUT SPRING HAD BROKEN, RIPPING A LARGE HOLE IN THE TIRE AND LODGING INTO THE TIRE 7?. I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, WHO INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO PRODUCT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE DOCUMENTED AS HAVING THIS PROBLEM (GOOGLE SEARCH TAURUS SPRING PROBLEM, SABLE SPRING PROBLEM AND THE LIKE). THEIR REPLY WAS SORRY, THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR YOU. MY WIFE JUST RETURNED FROM A 300 MILE ROAD TRIP. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HER OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, SHE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED! AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN AND THEN IMMEDIATELY JAMMED TO A STOP A CIRCUMSTANCE INVITING A DEADLY ACCIDENT. IN SO MANY WORDS FORD HAS SAID TO APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS: ITS NOT OUR PROBLEM. WELL, I THINK IT IS FORDS PROBLEM AND I THINK THE AMERICAN CONSUMER PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM AND FORDS NEGLIGENT ATTITUDE. INTERESTINGLY, THERE WAS/IS A RECALL FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON THE YEAR 2000 SABLES WHAT ABOUT ALL THE REST OF TAURUS AND SABLES!! WILL THE THREE OTHER REMAINING SPRINGS ALSO BREAK LIKE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED? HOW CAN ANYONE FEEL SAFE DRIVING THESE CARS ANYMORE? DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THE NHTSA DOES ANYTHING? DO PEOPLE LIKE ME
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE HEATER HOUSING AND ON TO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD THROUGH THE SEAM IN THE HOUSING. WE HAVE BEEN QUOTED A REPAIR PRICE FROM THE FORD SERVICE CENTER OF 500.00 PLUS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WE KNOW THERE IS A TSB#031506 -NHTSA ID#10011149 ISSUED 8/9/04. ON THIS PROBLEM RELATED TO RECALL #03V087000. ALSO REFERENCE COMPLAINT # 10184014. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE??? IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE AND ON LINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FORDS WITH THIS ISSUE AND IF IS COSTLY TO FIX. *TR
MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS SES OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN SHE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. SHE GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND HAS JUST UNDER 89,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE HAVING THE FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES REPLACED (BOTH SIDES AS WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE), THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND THE TIRE REPLACED. COST OF THE REPAIRS WILL EXCEED $1,200. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED IN DRIVEWAY ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON CAUSING PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO DEFLATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE I SEE A RECALL FOR 2001 AND EARLIER MODELS BUT NONE FOR 2002. *TR
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD POP. I PULLED BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SAW THAT MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD JUST BLOWN OUT. THIS TIRE WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TIRE STORE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKE AND HAD CUT DOWN THE TIRE. MY 2002 FORD TAURUS ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION SO THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I ENDED UP HAVE TO BRING MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE NEW SPRING/SHOCK ASSEMBLIES PUT IN BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. I FOUND THAT FORD RECALLED THE 2000 AND 2001 MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS HAPPENING AND DECIDED IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE TIRE BLEW OUT AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, YET THEY SO FAR WILL DO NOTHING FOR ALL OF THE OWNERS OF 2002 FORD TAURUS. IF THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD IN 2 MODEL YEARS, IT SHOULD BE IN ALL MODEL YEARS THAT USE THIS SPRING DESIGN THAT CORRODES WITH ROAD SALT AND THEN SLICES THE TIRE. *TR
I HAVE HAD A 2002 FORD TAURUS FOR 2 YEARS. 54,000 MILES ON IT AND MAINTAINED QUITE WELL. ON JAN. 6, 2008, I HAD JUST DRIVEN BACK FROM A 3 1/2 HOUR DRIVE INTO TORONTO AND BACK. HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT OUT LATER IN THE DAY AND BACK MY CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED A RUBBING SOUND IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING COIL WAS BROKEN. ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE 2001 TAURUS WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AS IT IS QUITE COMMON. I HAD THE SPRING REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIRE FOR A COST OF $459.00. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES AN HOUR INTO CANADA AND BACK AGAIN. *TR
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SES BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL / WARRANTY ON THE 1998 - 2001 TAURUS', I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY 2002 TAURUS. AFTER SPENDING THE WEEKEND REPLACING THE FRONT COILS, I HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED. WHEN LEAVING A RESTAURANT LATER THE NIGHT, I HIT A POT HOLE IN THE PARKING LOT. HEARING WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A PIECE OF ICE, I CHECKED THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR, REMOVED SOME ICE AND CONTINUED ON. THE NEXT DAY AFTER HEARING THE NOISE SOME MORE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING HAD ALSO BROKEN. ONCE AGAIN, I SPENT ANOTHER SATURDAY REPLACING COIL SPRINGS ON MY FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, IT CREATED A GROOVE ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, (IN WHICH I JUST ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FOR). *TR
ALMOST 5 YEARS AGO I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD TAURUS. ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2007 I WAS GETTING ON THE ON-RAMP OF A HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY LOST STEERING AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. I CHECKED MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE, WHICH APPEARED INTACT, AND GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO TRY TO GET TO A SAFER PLACE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT THE NOISE WAS. AS SOON AS I STARTED MOVING, MY FRONT LEFT TIRE LET ALL THE AIR OUT OF IT, AND A PIECE OF METAL FELL FROM MY CAR ONTO THE ROAD (WHICH I PICKED UP OFF THE ROADWAY). AFTER I GOT TO A SAFER PLACE (BY CREEPING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN MY CAR), I LOOKED AT MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND IT WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED AND FALLING OFF THE RIM. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND SHREDDED MY TIRE. THE PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OFF MY CAR WAS A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING. IF IT HAD HAPPENED 20 SECONDS LATER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED, WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY INJURING OR KILLING MYSELF OR OTHERS. I GOT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED 2002 FORD COIL SPRING RECALLS. APPARENTLY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, AS THERE WERE COUNTLESS ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN 2002 TAURUS'. FORD HAD RECALLED THE FAULTY COIL SPRINGS IN 1999 TO 2001 MODELS, BUT NOT 2002 MODELS. THE PIECE OF COIL SPRING THAT FELL OFF MY CAR WAS SHEARED RIGHT THROUGH, BUT WASN'T RUSTED OR PITTED AT ALL. I CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THE FAULTY 2002 MODEL CO
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE, BUT IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK NEAR THE OIL PAN.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY UPON BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY A FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SES BROKE AND DESTROYED THE TIRE AS WELL AS RUINED MY CHRISTMAS AS I COULD NOT FIND A REPAIR SHOP IN THE AREA WITH THE PARTS NEEDED UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS LATER. I WAS FORCED TO RENT OUT A CAR FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK AND LEAVE MY CAR IN OHIO WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED AND THEN HAD TO RETURN TO PICK IT UP THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND. IT IS A 600 MILE ROUND TRIP. I KNOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 FORD TAURUS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.*CN
FRONT SPRING ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SUDDENLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING. HORRIFIC NOISE SCARED MYSELF AND FAMILY. LUCIKILY I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL. PULLED CAR TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE AS BROKEN SPRING WAS CONTACTING THE TIRE AND RIM. . STRANDED IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE REPAIR WAS DONE (BOTH FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED). CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO INFORM THEM AND SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. AT A MINIMUM THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS DUE TO AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
FONT LEFT SPRING BROKE WHILE PARKED, PUNCTURED TIRE.*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT LEFT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. UPON INSPECTION, HE NOTICE THE STRUT SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT SPRING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,958. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, MY LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUT A HOLE THROUGH MY TIRE, ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONTROL ARM. NEEDED TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM, COIL AND TIRE. *TR
OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS BACKING IT UP. THE LAST TIME IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN SHE DROVE IT HOME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND HAD THIS HAPPENED THEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO HER AND OTHERS. THE SPRING HAD BEEN CRACKED AND PUNCTURED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALL LIKE A CAN OPENER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO IT. 2001 AND BEFORE FORD TAURUS CARS WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT 2002 CARS HAVE NOT. THE CRACK EXISTED FOR SOME TIME AS IT WAS CORRODED. WE HAD IT FIXED AT OUR OWN COSTS BUT MONEY IS NOT AS BIG AN ISSUE AS SAFETY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THIS, MAYBE INVOLVING OTHERS, TOO. WHO WOULD KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IF SHE HIT SOMEONE HEAD ON AND THE FRONT END WAS DESTROYED?
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AFTER HE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. AS OF DECEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.
A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING WITH MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL #04V106000 THAT APPLIES TO 836,000 FORD TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003, BUT NOT TO MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO FORD. THIS PROBLEM THAT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO ALL VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL AND HAVING THE EXACT THE SAME DEFECT. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RULING BY NHTSA, AND A REPLY TO THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
TIRE PUNCTURED AND FLATTENED DUE TO FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. REQUIRED REMOVAL OF TIRE AND REPAIR ON A SUNDAY. REMOVED AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND FULL SERVICE ALIGNMENT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 TAURUS THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE COIL SPRING BROKE GAUGING THE TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE REPAIRS WILL COST. I HAVE READ OF MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT PUT THIS ON RECALL ALTHOUGH THE 2001 MODEL IS. HOPEFULLY, ENOUGH PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN THAT WE WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS COSTLY AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
BLOWER MOTOR FAILED DUE TO WATER POOLING ON ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DURING RAIN EVENTS. RAIN HAT IN 2002 FORD TAURUS IS DEFECTIVE, AS DESCRIBED IN FORD SERVICE BULLETIN: BULLETIN #: 031506 SEQUENCE #: 10011149 DATE: 08/09/2004 FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. PART IS DUE TO BE REPLACED LATER THIS WEEK. *TR
Reading these
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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