Page 6 of 29 · complaints 251–300 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 › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 1, 201135,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PRESSURE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING AND THE TIRE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FLAT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 29, 201185,000 milesNY

2002 FORD TAURUS FOUR BROKEN SPRINGS, PUNCTURED TIRES, NO RECALL ON THIS YEAR CAR ; PLUGGED HEATER CORE, FRAME ROT,

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 29, 201195,568 milesME

BROKEN REAR COIL SPRING, 2002 TAURUS

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 28, 2011145,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DEFLATED AS A RESULT TO A FRACTURED COIL SPRING WHICH HAD PIERCED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 28, 2011MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING AND LOW GROWL FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY COIL SPRING THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 17, 2011120,000 milesIA

THIS WINTER I HAD MY RIGHT FRONT STRUT SPRING BREAK AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE SPRING WENT RIGHT THROUGH MY TIRE. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND SCARED ME TO DEATH! MY HUSBAND GOT THE SPRING AND STRUT REPAIRED AND PURCHASED A NEW TIRE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED PROBLEM UNTIL I WALKED OUT TODAY AND SAT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK. I HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR ON, OR EVEN TOUCHED THE STEERING WHEEL AND AGAIN I HEARD THE SAME LOUD NOISE AND NOW THE SPRING ON THE LEFT SIDE BROKE. I AM ALSO GOING TO CHECK THE BACK TIRES BECAUSE MY CAR SITS AT A FUNNY ANGLE AND I WOULD GUESS THE THE SPRING ON THE LEFT REAR IS ABOUT TO BREAK. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 16, 201190,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POP. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE DRIVER REMOVED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND HAD PIERCED THE TIRE. A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 10, 201160,209 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WAS FRACTURED. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,209 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,767.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Mar 7, 201140,000 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BLOWER MOTOR HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE BLOWER AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 6, 201139,328 milesMI

I INITIALLY NOTICED A METAL-ON-METAL GRINDING SOUND WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD (LIKE MY SHOCKS WERE BAD). I HAD THE 2002 TAURUS EXAMINED AT MY FORD DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC SAID ONE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WAS BAD. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THE FRONT TIRE HADN'T BLOWN OUT. HE ADVISED THAT I HAVE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH I DID. *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 5, 201162,987 milesWV

1/4/11 BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND RUPTURED TIRE ( ALL TIRES NEW LESS THAN 800 MILES) REPLACED SPRING AND TIRE 1/8/11 SAME THING AGAIN ONLY RIGHT REAR SPRING THIS TIME AND RUPTURED TIRE SO I REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND RIGHT FRONT THEN FOUND OUT IT DAMAGED STRUT AND SWAY ARM END LINK SO I REPLACED BOTH REAR STRUTS AND END LINKS AND TWO TIRES THIS IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON 2001 TAURUS' FOR SAME CONCERNS THESE REPAIRS WERE DONE WITH NO HELP FROM FORD WHAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS I HAVE WORKED FOR FORD AS A TECH. AND THEN A SERVICE MANAGER TOTAL TIME 22 YRS. THIS PROBLEM IS A FORD CONCERN THESE SPRINGS BREAK AT THE SECOND COIL WHERE IT OVERLAPS FIRST SAME AS 2001 MODELS

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 4, 201178,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ADVISED OF A RECALL ON THE 2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WHICH RELATED TO THE SAME FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED. THE RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACTS YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Mar 1, 2011104,000 milesVT

I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES SEDAN WITH 100,000 MILES. RECENTLY, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND I BROUGHT IT INTO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS A ABS/TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR (PART NUMBER 2C219) BURNED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND VARIOUS ONLINE POSTINGS IN BLOGS AND OTHER AREAS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING THAT HAPPENS ON THESE CARS. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION BECAUSE THEY DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THAT MODULE, AND THEIR POOR DESIGN CAN LEAD TO LIMITED BRAKING CAPABILITY, THE VEHICLE NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD ON SLIPPERY SURFACES, CRASHES, INJURIES, AND POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 1, 201161,000 milesIL

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS FOUND FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL JUST SNAPPED AND TORE UP THE WHEEL. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. CHECKED AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR UP TO AUGUST 2001 .ALSO, SEEN ON LINE WHEN SEARCHING RECALLS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM ON SAME 2002 TAURUS. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD BE LIKE A BLOW OUT AND HOW MANY COULD BE HURT OR KILLED! *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 27, 201180,000 milesMD

ON 23 FEBRUARY 2011 I PUT MY 2002 FORD TAURUS IN REVERSE ON MY CARPORT, AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE.THE CAR LURCHED TO THE LEFT A MADE A LOUD THUD SOUND HITTING HARD ON THE CARPORT FLOOR. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKE AND WAS THRUST INTO THE LEFT TIRE. ALSO, THE SPRING HIT THE TOP OF THE NYLON STABILIZER BREAKING PART OF THE TOP AND THROWING THE COVER OF THE BALL JOINT ON THE FLOOR. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 22, 201184,000 milesMI

BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON MY 02 FORD TAURUS SNAPPED AND BROKE. FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY REPAIR COSTS. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON TAURUSES/SABLES, BUT FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. ONLY FRONT SPRINGS WERE RECALLED THRU THE 01 MODELS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS THE BROKEN SPRING MAY PIERCE THE TIRE AND LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE AS YOU'RE DRIVING THE CAR!! THEY BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $500. I HAVE A LOW INCOME JOB AND CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT HAD TO BE DONE SO I COULD DRIVE MY CAR TO MY JOB. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 22, 201177,518 milesPA

02 TAURUS SES FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING CRACKED. *TR

Suspension
Filed Feb 20, 201173,162 milesOH

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRINGS BREAKING IS NOT JUST THE FRONT SPRINGS. ON 4/2/10 I REPLACED THE BACK SPRINGS WITH A QUICK STRUT ASSEMBLY DO TO CAR SAGGING AND THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKE SLOWLY DIGGING IN TO MY TIRE. I KNOW OF A FEW OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST HAPPEN TO COME ACROSS THIS SITE AND THOUGHT I WOULD POST.

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 18, 2011124,368 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING PIERCED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,368 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,668.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 17, 201147,743 milesKS

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SLOWED TO TURN LEFT AND HEARD A POP FROM THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE, FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE. PROCEEDED ANOTHER BLOCK TO THE HOME DRIVEWAY, CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WAS EATING THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. CHECKED THIS SITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND A NHTSA INVESTIGATION, FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR SPRINGS BREAKING ON THE SAME MODEL YEAR TAURUS. CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN PAYING FOR THE REPAIR AND ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, AND TIRE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. DURING THE REPAIR, ALSO FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING WAS BAD, BUT HAD NOT COMPLETELY FRACTURED. ALSO REPLACED THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 47700 MILES, HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND HAS NEVER PULLED A TRAILER OR CARRIED ANY TYPE OF LOAD. HAD JUST LEFT THE INTERSTATE MOMENTS BEFORE THE SPRING BROKE. HAD THE SPRING BROKEN AT 70 MPH, DESTROYING THE TIRE, THE RESULTING DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND INJURIES MAY HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 15, 201190,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE THEY WERE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME WERE THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

Suspension
Filed Feb 8, 201183,000 milesMA

2002 FORD TAURUS - 83,000 MILES BROKEN COIL SPRINGS FRONT AND REAR. BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SHREDDED TIRE. ALL FOUR STRUTS AND SPRINGS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS UP TO 2001. FORD SAYS MY TAURUS WAS BUILT A MONTH AFTER THE END OF THE RECALL. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT A LOW SPEED. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 7, 2011124,000 milesOH

UPON BACKING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MY BOYFRIEND HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON TAKING OFF THE TIRE, HE DISCOVERED THE SPRING COIL BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE TIRE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPRING COIL AND TIRE. *LN

Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 201183,650 milesOH

DAUGHTER AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE DRIVING MY CAR ON FOUR LANE BUSY STATE ROUTE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SHE HEARD A CLUNK. AS SHE PROCEEDED SHE BEGAN TO SMELL RUBBER. IN A FEW SECONDS TIRE LOST ALL AIR AND SHE HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING VEHICLE. SHE WAS STOPPED IN LEFT MOST LANE AND WAS TRYING TO GET TO CURB LANE WITH HAZARDS FLASHING. CAR WAS HARD TO STEER BUT AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES SHE FINALLY ABLE TO CROSS THROUGH TRAFFIC AND GET TO CURB LANE AND EVENTUALLY INTO A BUSINESSES DRIVEWAY. WHEN TIRE WAS REMOVED INNER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED 360* LIKE AS IF A CAN OPENER WAS USED.....COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN, PART OF IT MISSING AND RUBBED CLEAN FROM TIRE.

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 4, 2011134,000 milesME

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND THE TWO REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED SIMILAR TO NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V332000 ( SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 3, 201180,469 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE MECHANIC FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COILS SPRING WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,469 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 1/3/11 *CN

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 3, 201194,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRING WITH A METAL WRAPPED COIL SPRING. THE COIL SPRING THAT FAILED WAS NOT METAL WRAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 2, 2011140,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS, A LOUD MECHANICAL SNAP WAS HEARD, FOLLOWED (ABOUT TWO SECONDS LATER) BY BLOWOUT OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE CAR SWERVED OUT OF IT'S LANE, INTO A SNOW BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (WE HAD 10" OF SNOW THAT DAY). WHEN THE TOW TRUCK LIFTED THE CAR, I SAW THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED, AND THE METAL HAD PUNCTURED THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO ATCHINSON FORD, BELLEVILLE, MI, WHERE IT WILL BE EVALUATED IN THE MORNING. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 1, 2011120,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. WHEN SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DEFLATED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF THE SPRING FELL ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAD WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 31, 2011175,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND STRUT. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 175,000. BW UPDATED 3/1/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON FEB 9, 2011. THE TOTAL COST WAS $270. FOR THE STRUT, COIL SPRING AND TIRE. UPDATED 03/03/11. *JB

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 30, 201151,000 milesOH

DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY, SPRING PUNCTURED TIRE AND TORN IT APART, ALSO BREAKING STABILIZER BAR. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jan 25, 2011140,811 milesOH

JUST AS WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 FOR THE 1999-2001 TAURUS, THREE OF THE FOUR COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN THIS 2002 TAURUS SHREDDING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND FOUR NEW QUICK STRUTS, NEW FRONT STABILIZER LINKS, A NEW REAR SWAY BAR LINK, NEW FRONT RIGHT INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS, AND A NEW TIRE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. OWNER REPAIRED VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER UNWILLING TO REPAIR OR RECALL AT THIS TIME. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,811.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 25, 2011130,000 milesNH

I HAD A FLAT TIRE THAT WAS STUCK TO THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO ROLL THE CAR BACK AND FORTH TO LOOSEN WHEEL. HEARD A POP AND THOUGHT THAT THE TIRE BROKE FREE. WHEN I JACKED THE CAR UP, A PIECE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL FELL OUT. I AM GETTING IT REPLACED. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 24, 201189,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF HIS GARAGE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO A COIL SPRING WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STRUT AND COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 23, 201193,662 milesOH

MY CAR WAS PARKED AT MY OFFICE. AT 5:15PM I GOT INTO MY CAR TO LEAVE WORK. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND AS SOON AS I HIT THE GAS TO BACK OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE LOST ALL OF ITS AIR. I WENT INTO THE SHOP AT MY OFFICE AND GOT MY MECHANIC WHO BROUGHT THE PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR TO TRY AND REFILL THE TIRE SO WE COULD DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE SHOP. THE TIRE WOULD NOT TAKE ANY AIR SO MY MECHANIC GOT THE JACK AND PROCEEDED TO JACK UP THE CAR TO PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON. AS SOON AS HE JACKED THE CAR UP I HEARD METAL HIT THE CONCRETE. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR I NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF METAL WAS STICKING HALF IN MY TIRE AND HALF OUT. ONCE WE GOT THE TIRE OFF THE VEHICLE WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING THAT HAD BROKEN OFF AND WENT THROUGH MY TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WE ALSO FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK WAS CRACKED.

Suspension
Filed Jan 23, 201155,423 milesNJ

THIS IS FOR MY PARENTS CAR. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS FOUND OUT WHEN MY FATHER WENT TO MOVE IT INSTEAD OF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. FLAT LEFT FRONT TIRE DUE TO BROKEN LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING AND DAMAGED STRUT. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SPRINGS AND YET THEY WON'T PLACE THIS MODEL YEAR UNDER RECALL. MY FATHER HAS ALREADY STATED HE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD AFTER BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN HIS 2005 F150 LAST YEAR. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FEW FORD MECHANICS THAT ADMIT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SPRINGS AND ALL BLAME IT ON THE INFERIOR METAL BEING USED. ONE WOULD THINK TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. MY 1973 & 1980 CAMAROS BOTH HAD INTACT ORIGINAL SPRINGS WHEN I PURCHASED THEM AND YET WE CANNOT GET 10 YEARS OUT OF MODERN VEHICLES???

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 21, 201143,049 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS LEATHERETTE PANEL HAD FRACTURED AND WAS HANGING FROM THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COOLER. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DON'T DO THAT TYPE OF REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,049.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 19, 2011105,000 milesWI

DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD, HIT A SMALL BUMP, LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. LOUD BANG AND CAR BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. A PIECE OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRING JAMMED INTO THE CV (CONSTANT VELOCITY) JOINT AND DESTROYED IT. ALSO THE STABILIZER LINK WAS BROKEN. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP & APPROXIMATELY $1000 WORTH OF DAMAGE HAD TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08018. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 18, 2011126,682 milesMN

WHILE ON HIGHWAY (GOING SLOW DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER) MY TIRE POPPED AND I SUBSEQUENTLY LEARNED AFTER TOWING IT THAT MY RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND TURNED INTO THE TIRE DESTROYING IT. MY LEFT REAL COIL SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN. NEEDED TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES, ALIGNMENT AND A NEW TIRE. MY SPARE WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS I WASN'T AWARE UNTIL AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE ON THE SPARE THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 16, 201165,329 milesPA

LEFT FRONT STRUT SPRING FAILED AS I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT TIRE TO BLOW AND LOCKING THE STEERING NEW STRUT AND SPRING ASSY WAS INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW TIRE. *LN

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 12, 2011146,980 milesNJ

FORD TAURUS 2002 LEFT FRONT SPRING COIL SNAPPED. DRIVING INTO PARKING LOT, MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, LOUD BANG AND THE LEFT FRONT OF CAR DROPPED. INSPECTING THE DAMAGE, FOUND THE TOP OF THE SPRING, THE FIRST FULL CIRCLE, SNAPPED COMPLETELY OFF. LOOKING AT THE INTERIOR OF THE SNAPPED SECTION, NOTICED A PATCH OF DISCOLORATION IN THE CRACKED SECTION. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A CRACK IN THE SPRING AND HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE ELEMENTS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. REPLACING COIL AT LOCAL GARAGE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 11, 2011120,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT HER FRONT STRUT BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO SHRED. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 11, 2011109,000 milesNY

ON 1/10, I WAS ON MY WAY TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT THEIR SCHOOL WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO DRIVE FUNNY.I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY AND SAW THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN..I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE TO MY DONUT WHEN I SAY THE GASH IN MY TIRE AND I LOOKED AT THE WHEEL WELL AND SAW THE SPRING WAS SHEERED OFF..HENCEFORTH I HAD TO PAY TO GET NEW STRUTS AND A NEW TIRE AND A NEW STABILIZER FOR MY CAR..I LOOKED ON THE WEB AND SAW A BUNCH OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2002 FORD TAURUS..PLEASE HELP. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 11, 2011160,944 milesMI

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING BROKE AND PIERCED TIRE. TIRE IS DESTROYED AND CAR IS INOPERABLE. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 6, 201199,900 milesNY

VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WHEN EXITING LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. CONDITION WORSENED AS I GOT FURTHER AWAY FROM MY HOME. I REALIZED I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS AS THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD AND I WAS SMELLING BURNT RUBBER. RETURNING HOME I SAW THE FRONT END HAD COLLAPSED. LAYING ON THE GROUND I COULD SEE THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD BROKEN AND WAS LODGED IN THE SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. REPAIRS TOTALED $950.00. FRONT STRUTS AND SPRING AND SWAY BAR LINK. COIL SPRINGS RUSTED AND BROKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY; IF I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR HURT SOMEONE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SITUATION ON THIS VEHICLE.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jan 6, 2011131,608 milesMO

2002 FORD TAURUS REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. THIS SEEMS TO BE QUITE A PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS AND WAS RECALLED FOR UPTO 2001. I DON'T KNOW WHY 02 WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL BUT A NEW ONE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 5, 2011125,000 milesMI

2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH APROX 125K MILES FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM END, THE SPRING EXTENDED TO THE NEXT COIL, THE BROKEN END CUT THROUGH THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE LOOKED AS IF IT WAS CUT WITH A RAZOR, THE SPRING COMPLETELY SEVERED THE TIRE AT THE JUNCTION OF THE TOP OF THE SIDE WALL AND THE TREAD. BOTH SIDES OF THE TIRE REMAINED SEATED ON THE RIM. THE SPRING BROKE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVE THAT IS LEVEL WITH THE STREET. THE OPERATOR HEARD A CLUNK AND THOUGHT THAT ICE HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE FENDER, AS EXPERIENCED IN WINTER OPERATIONS. THE CAR WAS OPERATED 100 FEET THEN THE OPERATOR FELT THE FLAT TIRE. THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE CAR WAS LOW TO THE GROUND WITHOUT THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE SPRING THE LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE UNDER THE EXTRA WEIGHT. THE BROKEN PIECE FROM THE LINK WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES OF THE OUTER BALL RETENTION CUP (UPPER END OF THE LINK). IT IS PLASTIC. THIS CAR IS THE MODEL YEAR AFTER AN ESTABLISHED RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE, A REPORT WAS FILLED WITH FORD. THE FL STRUT AND SPRING WHERE REPLACED. THE RIGHT SPRING WAS BOUGHT WITH THE LEFT AND WILL BE INSTALLED WITH A NEW STRUT SHORTLY. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK WILL BE REPLACED. ALL FAILED COMPONENTS ARE RETAINED BY THE OWNER, (WE WHERE ABLE TO GET THE STUFF OUT OF THE DRIVE)WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TIRE. THE OWNER HAS PHOTOS OF THE TIRE AND THE SPRING ( STILL INSTALLED ) THE MORNING THIS HAPPENED. INSPECTION OF THE SPRING AT THE BREAK SHOWS S

Suspension
Filed Jan 5, 2011114,000 milesMA

STARTING ON TRIP IN DRIVEWAY, HEARD SCRAPING SOUND AS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THEN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW. SLOWLY BACKED CAR FEW FEET BACK INTO DRIVEWAY. JACKED CAR UP AND PULLED TIRE OFF TO REPLACE WITH MINI SPARE AND NOTICED BROKEN, SHARP END OF COIL SPRING STICKING STRAIGHT OUT AT WHERE TIRE WAS. APPARENTLY, COIL SPRING BROKE AND IMPALED TIRE. TIRE HAD CIRCULAR SCRAPE COMPLETELY AROUND INNER SURFACE OF TIRE WHERE THE TIRE HAD ROTATED AGAINST SPRING EDGE. SPRING HAD THEN COMPLETELY GONE THROUGH TIRE CAUSING BLOWOUT. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN DRIVEWAY AND NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON FORD TAURUSES AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR CARS FROM MODEL YEARS 1999 - 2001. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO AT LEAST COVER 2002 MODEL YEAR CARS.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 5, 2011145,157 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS SL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. SHE ALSO SAW SHARP OBJECTS FROM THE COIL SPRING ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY, THE STABILIZER BAR, MOUNTING BAR AND STRUTS WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,157.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 5, 2011164,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE COIL SPRING BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

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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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