Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE COIL SPRING ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FRACTURED. COIL SPRING PUNCTURED TIRE AND THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
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
LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND A LINK. *TR
AT 6:30 A.M. ON 4/4/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I FELL ASLEEP ,CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, HIT A SEMI HEAD ON & MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE 2002 FORD TAURUS WAS A VEHICLE I PURCHASED NEW. THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH NO ONE IN THAT SEAT DID DEPLOY. *TR
HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE; HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SUSPECTED THE COIL SPRING SUSPENSION, SINCE I KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM PREVIOUS OWNER COMPLAINTS FROM THIS WEBSITE. LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND TORE A BIG GASH ON TIRE AND WENT FLAT. CALLED FORD DEALER IN DEARBORN, MI AND THEY TOLD IT WAS COVERED AS A RECALL; TOWED MY CAR OUT THERE AND THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY AND TOLD THIS VIN WAS NOT COVERED AND 2001 MODEL YEAR WAS. WHAT A JOKE. PROMPTLY, I TOWED IT OUT OF THERE (DID NOT WANT TO GIVE THEM ANYMORE BUSINESS) AND GOT IT REPLACED OUTSIDE. CANT BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS A EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF THE COILS. VERY BAD QUALITY STEEL USED IN COIL SPRING AND PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT IN SALT-BELT STATES. EVEN THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER WAS CASUAL ABOUT IT SAYING HE IS SEEING IT TOO OFTEN (ESPECIALLY WITH CARS WITH HIGH MILES). FORD HAS LOST A POSSIBLE FUTURE CUSTOMER AND SWITCHING OVER TO A QUALITY OEM FROM NOW ON. BYE BYE FORD. *TR
AT 7:30 AM ON APRIL 29, 2011, I LEFT MY APARTMENT AND GOT INTO MY CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK. I TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND WENT TO BACK OUT AND IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. I CALLED AAA AND THEY ARRIVED BY 8:00 AM AND THE GENTLEMAN REMOVED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS TORE IN HALF IN A SEMI-CIRCLE SHAPE. HE THEN LOOKED AT THE SPRING AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS COMPLETED BROKE IN HALF AS WELL. THE SPRING WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND WAS BROKEN OFF FROM THE TOP WHERE IT WAS MOUNTED AS WELL. HE THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO COME, WHICH TOOK THE CAR TO A NEARBY MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE ISSUE.
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.
OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS. CAR PARKED IN PARKING GARAGE WHILE AT WORK. AFTER WORK WENT TO CAR, STARTED IT, PUT INTO REVERSE, MOVED NOT EVEN THREE INCHES, SOUND LIKE GUNSHOT, FRONT SPRING BLEW THROUGH FRONT TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE. MY SON SAID I HAD GUARDIAN ANGEL...WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF CAR HAD ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE ROAD. I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR THREE YEARS. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC SAID LOOKS JUST LIKE RECALL SITUATION ON 2001 TAURUS, SAME SPRING INCIDENT..MINE NATURALLY NOT COVERED, BUT THIS IS WRONG. I WAS NOT AWARE OF RECALLS ON 2001 VEHICLES. I HAVE NO MONEY, THIS REPAIR WILL SET ME BACK QUITE A BIT. I AM THANKFUL THAT NOBODY WAS HURT BY FLYING PARTS! *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SEL. YESTERDAY MY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE GOT STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 45 IN HOUSTON DURING THE EARLY EVENING. BRAKING HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, BUT IT WOULD ACCELARATE BACK UP AGAIN AS SOON AS THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. MY SON WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY, BUT ONLY BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WITH IT STILL REVVING UP PAST 5000 RPM. HE TURNED OFF THE CAR WHEN ON THE SERVICE ROAD AND IT CAME TO A SAFE STOP. WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED UP AGAIN, IT WOULD REV BACK UP. MY OLDEST SON AND I MET UP WITH HIM, AND WHEN WE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THERE IS A SMALL NICK AND CRACK IN THE OUTSIDE HOUSING OF THE CABLE THAT IT GOT HUNG UP ON. MY SON DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL SO THAT WE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE HOUSING AND HAVE PUT A CALL IN TO MY DEALER, CHAMPION FORD IN HOUSTON, THIS MORNING. I AM WAITING FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE TO CALL ME BACK NOW.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE BOLT SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEEL CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO MANEUVER AFTER THE BOLT CAME OFF. A METAL COMPANY TESTED THE BOLT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BOLT WAS MADE OF DECOMPOSING METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,108 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 157,108 THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CAPABILITIES. UPDATED EVOQ 06/09/10.*JB UPDATED 08/23/11. *JB
PROBLEMS WITH NOISE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SHUDDERING SOUND WHILE DRIVING COMES AND GOES. PROBLEM WITH CAR RUNNING ROUGH ENGINE POWER DECREASED, SEAM LIKE FUEL IS POOR, SOME MALFUNCTION CAUSING PROBLEMS IN TRAFFIC. THIS MALFUNCTION ALWAYS HAPPENS ON START UP AND DURING REGULAR OPERATING DURING DRIVING. WE HAVE TO KEEP LETTING OFF THE GAS AND GIVING GAS TO TRY MAKE IT RUN RIGHT A HOPE TO HAVE A SMOOTH RIDE. THE POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END ALWAYS HAPPEN DAILY DURING DRIVING WITH NORMAL SPEEDS. THE FRONT ROTORS HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES SINCE I OWNED THIS VEHICLE, CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END. BRAKE PADS ALWAYS HAVE BEEN CHANGED DURING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
HEARD A LOUD BANG WHILE DRIVING A 2002 FORD TAURUS. CAR LEAPT TO THE LEFT AND I HEARD LOUD SCREECHING. I BRAKED AND SLOWED, AND WHEN STOPPED I DISCOVERED A FLAT LEFT FRONT TIRE. WHEN I REMOVED THE TIRE TO PUT ON A SPARE, THE TIRE WAS STUCK ON SOMETHING IN THE BACK. AFTER TURNING IT TO VIEW - I SAW THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS RUNNING RIGHT THROUGH THE TIRE! APPARENTLY, THE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND IMMEDIATELY PUNCTURED THE TIRE. CAR WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND LOTS OF REPAIRS ($$$) WERE NEEDED. I CALLED FORD, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2002 MODEL, ONLY ON 1999-2001 (SAME WIDESPREAD PROBLEM). AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE 2002 TAURUS - BUT FORD REFUSES TO EXTEND THEIR RECALL TO THAT YEAR'S MODEL. THIS WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING - I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD DISASTER MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED!! *TR
WATER LEAK INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING BLOWER MOTOR. REFERENCE NTSB ITEM # 10011149 / SERVICE BULLETIN NBR 031506. *TR
BOUGHT 2002 FORD TAURUS SEL FROM USED CAR LOT, HAD ABOUT 43,000+ MILES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN A YEAR. IT PRESENTLY HAS 68,000 MILES (700 MILES DRIVEN WEEKLY), ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING. AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES ( I AM GUESSING), I STARTED HEARING A CLUNK. TODAY I WENT TO CHANGE THE BRAKES AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUSPENSION LOW TO THE TIRE. I CARRY NO WEIGHT IN THE CAR. I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO FIND THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND COILED AROUND THE STRUT PERCH. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR MISTREATED. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THIS CAR WOULD SNAP A SPRING SO EASILY IN SUCH A SORT TIME. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T POP A TIRE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE READ UP ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE CAR. I HAVE ALSO READ, THAT I SHOULD EXPECT THE FRONT STRUTS TO COLLAPSE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING A CAR WITH KNOWN DANGEROUS AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND FAULTY SUSPENSION. I HAVE ALSO BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR TO THE CARS HVAC SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE READ ON THE NET THAT THIS ALSO IS A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I AM A FEDERALLY LICENSED AIRPLANE MECHANIC, THEREFORE I DO MY OWN REPAIRS. THE PARTS IN QUESTION ARE NOT CHEAP, NOR IS MY TIME. FORD NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENDITURES TO REPAIR THESE KNOWN PROBLEMS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND ADDRESS THESE KNOWN PROBLEMS. *TR
I TOOK MY 2002 FORD TAURUS TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE HEATER CORE AND THEY PROCEEDED TO REPLACE IT. AFTER I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP, BY THE TIME I GOT HOME I HAD NO HEAT AGAIN. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY IT IS NOT HEATING. FORD TECHNICIANS DO NOT KNOW EITHER. *TR
WHEN IT RAINS, WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE BLOWER MOTOR. RUGS AND MATS ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR ARE SATURATED. ALL ATTEMPTS AT STOPPING WATER ENTRY ARE FUTILE. *TR
2002 FORD TAURUS SE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING SNAPPED. THIS WAS RECALLED IN 1999-2001 FORD TAURUS'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2002. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WHEN I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!! *I COULDN'T FIND FORD ON THE MANUFACTURE SECTION, SO I SELECTED CHRYSLER TO PROCEED. *JB
TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE FAILURE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 1-2 MPH. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE,BUT DID NOT KEEP THE PUNCTURED TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JACK SNAPPED AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, AND HAS THE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK UPDATED 03/15/07. *JB
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JULY OF 2005 (3/10/06). MY BROTHER WENT TO USE THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND WHEN IT WAS DONE HEATING UP IT POPPED COMPLETELY OUT AND FELL UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER BOUNCING OFF THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IS USED. I SEE ANOTHER COMPLAINT FOR THIS AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR TWO REASONS, 1 BEING THAT IT COULD EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE CAR (ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE PAPERS UNDER THE SEAT) WHICH ON TOP OF THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH, AND 2 IF THE DRIVER WENT TO FIND THE LIGHTER SO IT DIDN'T CAUSE A FIRE NOT ONLY WOULD HE/SHE GET BURNED WHILE DRIVING BUT IT COULD ALSO CAUSE A CRASH WHICH ALMOST HAPPENED TO ME. AND JUST SO FORD KNOWS, I AM HOLDING THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY BURNED FINGER.*JB
I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS.. STARTING SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AT 8,500 MILES. TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY STATED ROTORS WERE WARPED AND REPLACED THEM. AT APPROX 18,000 MILES THEY WARPED AGAIN. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE WARRANT SO I ENDED UP PAYING TO HAVE THEM RESURFACED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND ENDED UP GETTING REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. I'M NOW AT 28,000 MILES AND THEY ARE SHOT, UNABLE TO BE RESURFACED AND MUST BE REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'M NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH FORD ANY LONGER AND WILL REPLACE WITH A HIGHER QUALITY AFTER MARKET PRODUCT. I HAVE FOUND AND EXORBANENT AMMOUNT OF OTHER TAURUS OWNERS ONLINE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO IT AND THE FEASABILITY OF ISSUEING A RECALL. THE WARPING IS PRETTY COMMON FROM WHAT I CAN SEE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP , AND IS EXTREMELY BAD WHEN STOPPING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE FELL ONTO THE GROUND. NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD HE HAD TO ORDER THE PART ON HIS OWN. *JB *ER
SATURDAY NIGHT DEC 11, 2004, WHILE DRIVING ON ROUTE 91 IN CT, THE CAR LOST STEERING. THE CAR STARTED TO VEER RIGHT AND WHEN MY DAUGHTER (AND 2 SMALL CHILDREN) TRIED TO STEER THE WHEEL JUST TURNED AND TURNED WITH NO RESULTS. SHE ENDED UP NEXT TO A CEMENT WALL, WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR, AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES. THEY HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW, BECAUSE OF THE POSITION OF THE CAR, WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME. A POLICE CRUISER STAYED BEHIND HER UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK GOT THERE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY FOUND IT WAS WITH THE LINKAGE AND REPAIRED IT. I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I STILL HAVE A STRANGE FEELING WHEN I DRIVE NOW. I GUESS THAT THEY FOUND A BOLT WAS LOOSE, REMOVED IT, CHECKED THE THREADS AND REINSTALLED IT. I AM SO DISCOURAGED WITH THIS CAR COMPARED TO OTHER FORDS THAT I HAVE HAD. *AK
WATER LEAKAGE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. HEATER FAILURE.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FLOORBOARD AND MATS WERE SOAKED AND WET. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE FROM WHERE THE WATER WAS LEAKING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK COWL PANEL WAS WARPPED. DEALER REPLACED COWL PANEL AND INSTALLED LIP SEAL. LUG AND PLASTIC NUTS HOLDING HUB CAP STRIPPED. *LA
I OWN A 2002 TAURUS WITH 40000 MILES AND TWICE KNOW I'VE HAD WORK DONE ON MY BLOWER UNIT. THE FIRST TIME I LOST ALL SETTINGS EXCEPT HIGH. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A BAD RESISTOR AND REPLACED THE RESISTOR. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE BLOWER UNIT. HE WILL PUT IN A MODIFICATION AND REPLACED THE BLOWER UNIT. A WEEK LATER WE HAD BAD RAIN IN NEW ENGLAND AND THERE WAS AN INCH OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WILL BE GOING IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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