I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2002 AFTER PREVIOUSLY OWNING SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES. ON JULY 20, 2012, I ATTENDED A FAMILY FUNERAL A LITTLE OVER TWO HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOME. WHILE RETURNING HOME VIA I-75 IN MIDDLE GEORGIA, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY INCREASED TO OVER 6000 RPM. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE GAS AND LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW TO SEE WHITE SMOKE BOILING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER SAFELY GETTING THE CAR OFF THE INTERSTATE, I RAISED THE HOOD TO SEE TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. IT'S SIMPLY A MIRACLE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE. I WAITED FOR TWO HOURS IN 100 DEGREE HEAT BEFORE A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME AND I QUOTE, "WE SEE A LOT OF TAURUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AT AROUND 120,000 MILES." IF THIS IS SO, WHY CAN'T FORD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? I REALIZE THE CAR HAS SOME AGE ON IT, BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS. SINCE DAY ONE, I HAVE "BABIED" THIS CAR AND HAVE NEVER ONCE ABUSED IT IN ANY WAY. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN IT RECKLESSLY AND HAVE ALWAYS SERVICED IT ON REGULAR INTERVALS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN MY SHOP FOR OVER 3 YEARS BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT REPAIRED. I WISH FORD WOULD MAN UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ME AND MANY OTHERS. HOWEVER, I CERTAINLY WON'T HOLD MY BREATH. "HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY?" I HAVEN'T. *TR
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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
FORD IS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE A FIT PROBLEM WITH THE COWL AND AIR CABIN FILTER AREAS OF THESE CARS THAT CAUSE WATER TO LEAK ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSES CARPETS TO GET MOLDY/SMELLY. THE LEAK SOMETIMES ALLOWS WATER TO SHORT/RUIN THE BLOWER MOTOR. I BELIEVE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 IS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $400 OR SO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
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 VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER KNOCKING THAT VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. MY DAUGHTER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE INCIDENT AS SHE WAS FORCED BACKWARD AND FRONTWARD. SHE ALSO HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. HER SIGNIFICANT OTHER HIT HIS KNEE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH. BOTH WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS AT THE TIME. HER VEHICLE (TITLED IN MY NAME AND PURCHASED BY ME) SUSTAINED MAJOR DISABLING DAMAGE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT IN AN AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF UP TO 4000 RPM'S AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO STOP. HAD TO KEEP TWO FEET ON THE BRAKES UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO A STOPPING PLACE. WHEN I HAD TO STOP I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AN THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING UP AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO SMOKE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT HAD CAME LOOSE. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT AND I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO A PLACE WHERE I COULD STOP AND TURN IT OFF. THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND THE REAR BRAKES ARE TOTALLY BURNT UP. I AM JUST GLAD THAT MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THAT TYPE OF SITUATION AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE OUTCOME. WE HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING COIL BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 1998-2001 TAURUSES BECAUSE OF THAT DEFECTIVE PART. THOUGH OLD, THE CAR HAS FEW MILES ON IT AND RARELY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. THE SPRING COIL LOOKED ALMOST NEW...NO RUST. OBVIOUSLY 2002'S SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I'D BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH? THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED BOTH SPRING COILS AND TIRE AT COST BUT FORD SHOULD HAVE STOOD BEHIND THIS REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FRACTURED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER, AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,700. UPDATED 9/12/14*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. AFTER THE CONTACT FILLED UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, HE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND NEARLY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
SEE ODI 10222968 FOR DETAILS. THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION. SUMMARY: DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THIS HAD THE SAME CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 04S17 ON 1999 TO 2001 TAURUS. AFTER REPAIR AT MY OWN COST, I SOLD THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOMEWHAT UNIQUE IN THAT IT WAS A FORMER GSA VEHICLE. I HAD BROUGHT IT AT A GSA AUCTION. THIS IS UNIQUE SINCE THE GSA VEHICLES ARE BROUGHT UNDER A LARGE CONTRACT AND MAY BE MANUFACTURED SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES THUS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATIONS. *JS
MECHANIC IDENTIFIED FUEL TANK FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED TANK REPLACEMENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING BECAME FRACTURED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE FRONT LEFT SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED RAPID ACCELERATION AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLIGHTLY PRESSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER REMOVING HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS ON 4-15-2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 A.M. HE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 35 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HE TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY HITTING THE BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING REACHING THE SPEED OF ABOUT 70MPH. AS A TURN APPROACHED HE COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE HIT A CURB AND A STOP SIGN BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE ROADWAY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE WITH THAT VEHICLE AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS, THOUGH THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $6005.00 OF DAMAGE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF FIXING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DROPPED & MY TIRE EXPLODED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED WHICH TORN THE INSIDE OF MY TIRE ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF. I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER FORD TAURUS HOWEVER WAS TOLD BY FORD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO THEY WOULD NOT BE CHECKING INTO THE ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING & HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER, BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON BAD ROAD CONDITIONS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I'M NOT ASKING FOR THEM TO PAY FOR IT. JUST INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES IN THE RECALL TO PREVENT FATALITIES. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATING. I AM UNABLE TO STOP IT EVEN STANDING ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO WEST HERR FORD IN AMHERST NY IN AUGUST 2013 FOR A RECALL INSTALL CLIP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THEM A FEW WEEKS LATER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THEY TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE, OF COURSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THEN. BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND I DON'T WANT TO JUST TAKE IT INTO A FORD DEALER AND BE CHARGED $100.00 FOR A DIAGNOSIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO WEST HERR FORD, BUT I NOW LIVE IN ARIZONA AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO NYS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER RELAY SWITCH CONTINUOUSLY FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, HE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOTH COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ 3/10/2015 *JS
DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH. HEARD NOISE. SPRING COIL DRIVERS FRONT SNAPPED. HIT NO BUMPS, SMOOTH ROAD. READING ABOUT FORD'S ISSUE WITH THIS. THEY SHOULD STEP UP. *TR
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. NOT A CHEAP FIX. *TR
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, IT SIMPLY SNAPPED IN HALF. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT IT DID ANY TIRE DAMAGE THOUGH I WILL RECHECK IT AFTER SPEAKING TO MY MECHANIC WHO ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND HE STATED "THE SPRINGS THAT FORD USES ARE JUNK".
COMING UP TO A YIELD ON RED RIGHT TURN ONLY LANE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY SLAMMING ON MY BRAKE. THE CAR WAS STILL TRAVELING AT ABOUT 5-10MPH WITH THE PEDAL BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. I NAVIGATED TO A SAFE LOCATION, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I POPPED THE ENGINE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE GRAY CLIP, HOLDING IN CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY, BROKE AT A THIN POINT IN THE PLASTIC. THIS ALLOWED THE CABLE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT AND PULL THE THROTTLE. I SEATED IT BACK INTO THE BROKEN CLIP WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE TO GET IT TO A PLACE I COULD WORK ON IT. I PLAN ON REPLACING THE CLIP OR THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY; WHATEVER IS EASIER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127000.
WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE I HEARD A POP AND THEN MY TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER LOOKING AT THE TIRE I SEEN THAT THE SUSPENSION COIL WAS LODGED IN MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE COIL WASN'T EVEN RUSTED. I LOOKED UP TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WERE TONS OF TAURUS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRES HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRES WERE ALSO MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BROKE AT THE THROTTLE BODY BRACKET CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV UP TO AND STAY AT 4000 RPM. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD RUPTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION) AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V087000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE RECALL, IN WHICH THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS RETAINING WATER AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CLIMATE CONTROLS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CLIMATE CONTROLS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY WIFE WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. DESPITE HITTING THE BRAKES, IT STILL WAS GOING 70!! IT TOOK 2 MILES TO GET THE ACCELERATOR FROM STICKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT FORD IS STILL NOT COMMITTING TO COVER IT FOR US YET! *TR
CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER TO POWER WINDOWS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COME BACK OR NOT AT ALL, UNTIL NEXT START. TRY TO RESTART SAME OUTCOME, AT LEAST IT DRIVES. PROBLEM IS IF YOUR WINDOWS ARE DOWN CAN'T RAISED THEM. LIVE IN CALIFORNIA FORTUNATELY VERY LITTLE RAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE GEM MODULE AND CIRCUIT BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 12/3/13*CN
1ST MAJOR INCIDENT- ON SEPTEMBER 12TH -TRAVELING AT APPROX 50 MPH AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN BUT STAYED OR EVEN ACCELERATED ITS SPEED.I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CONTINUED TO MY DESTINATION. MY WIFE CALLED THE SANDY SPRINGS FORD DEALERSHIP AND WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DROP OFF THE CAR THE NEXT EVENING FOR SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14TH. THE FORD REP TOOK DOWN ALL OF MY INFORMATION BUT NEVER MENTIONED THE RECALL OR THE REPERCUSSIONS OF DRIVING THIS CAR AFTER THIS REPORTED INCIDENT. 2ND INCIDENT- ON SEPTEMBER 13TH - TRAVELING APPROX 50 MPH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND FOR A FEW SECONDS I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT ONLY KILL MYSELF BUT OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE ON THE FREEWAY. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT. I CALLED AAA AND THEY DELIVERED THE CAR TO THE SANDY SPRINGS FORD DEALERSHIP. MY WIFE CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THE NEXT DAY - SPOKE WITH KAREN. WHY WERE WE NOT TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL (DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET)? HER RESPONSE: THEY JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT THAT VERY SAME DAY. WE JUST RETURNED FROM VACATION AND OUR NEIGHBOR JUST DELIVERED OUR MAIL, WELL THERE WAS A LETTER FROM FORD ABOUT THE RECALL. THEN, ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH WE RECEIVED AN AUTOMATED CALL FROM SANDY SPRINGS FORD ABOUT THE RECALL. DOES FORD HAVE ANY IDEA IN THE ACT OF NEGLIGENCE THEY HAVE CREATED? THERE COULD HAVE BEEN FATALITIES. OUR CAR IS STILL AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP - IT IS STALLING OUT AN
MANY 2002-2006 TAURUS VEHICLES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC HOUSING FOR CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WHERE IT JOINS THROTTLE BODY. CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HANGS UP IN CRACK OF BROKEN HOUSING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO 60 MPH OR MORE. EXCESSIVE BRAKING TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. BRAKES FADE AND BRAKING BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT. MY WIFE AVOIDED A WRECK BUT SHE WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY. EVEN AT THIS AGE OF THE CAR, THERE NEEDS TO BE A WARNING SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS OR BETTER YET, A RECALL IF THE VEHICLE STILL QUALIFIES FOR ONE. MY REPAIR WASN'T EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE - ONLY ABOUT $80. BUT THE DANGER IS THE CONCERN. MY WIFE IS A LUCKY LADY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AS THE CONTACT NOTICED THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE EMITTED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. A SECTION OF THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING IT TO BLOW OUT. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $300. TWO NEW FRONT STRUT/SPRING ASSEMBLIES WERE INSTALLED. PARTS $220 LABOR $175, BROKEN STABILIZER LINK $19.68. THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS REPLACED AS A PRECAUTION AS THE SPRING WAS RUSTY.
AFTER OPENNING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS, THE HOOD ABRUPTLY AND UNINTENTIONALLY DROPS, SUBJECTING THE OWNER TO SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. THERE'S NO LATCH TO MAINTAIN THE HOOD OPEN AND THE DEVICES TO SLOW THE HOOD MOVEMENT DO NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS AN OVER WHELMING GAS SMELL, STARTED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE NOW INSIDE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS NEITHER CAN EXPLAIN WHERE THE SMELL IS COMING FROM. SMELL IS SO POWERFUL IT MAKES YOU SICK. *TR
I HAD THE EXPERIENCE DESCRIBED EXACTLY IN YOUR CURRENT INVESTIGATION PE 12-033. THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO REMAIN BETWEEN 3000-4000 RPMS EVEN WHILE DECELERATING OR STOPPED. PHYSICAL INSPECTION REVEALED FRACTURED SPEED CONTROL CABLE COLLAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD AS AGREED TO RECALL VEHICLES OR FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,103. *TR
WAS COMING OFF US 501 IN CONWAY SC AND HEARD A LOAD POP SOUND PUT BRAKES ON AND CAR KEEP ON GOING IT WOULD NOT STOP THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR IT KEEP RACING UP. HAD NO WERE TO GO BUT THE BACK END OF A GMC TRUCK. CAR WAS TOWED TO CONWAY FORD. ON 6/10/2013 TALK TO SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE LOT AND IT DID IT TO THEM.. THE DIAG. WAS CRUISE CONTROL BROKE PLUS THE ACTUATOR ASY. ON THIS YEAR CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND ACCELERATOR CABLE ARE CONNECTED TO THROTTLE BODY ON THE SAME LINKAGE. WHEN CRUISE CABLE BROKE IT CAUSED THE THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE TO NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW AND EXIT I-77N IN CHARLOTTE, NC LAST SUNDAY, THE THROTTLE REMAINED OPEN. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF IN GEAR. AFTER CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE, I NOTICED THAT THE COLLAR FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WAS FRACTURED AND THE CABLE WAS GETTING STUCK ON THE BROKEN COLLAR. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO REMAIN OPEN. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR SURE. IN SUMMARY, THE REPAIR PRICE WAS $235 (NOT INCLUDING RECOVERY FROM THE HIGHWAY). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,757. *TR
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURES ALMOST SLICING THE TIRE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL AS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ARE QUITE ENORMOUS. PLUS THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A LIFE COULD BE LOST! *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.
Full record for the 2002 Ford Taurus → · Every Taurus year → · How the figures are calculated →