RoadVitals

2002 Ford Taurus Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
100
Latest Jul 18, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 1,426 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 100 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.

Owner reports naming visibility

The 25 most recent of 100, in the owner's own words

Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSENING ON THE UPPER PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OUT OF THE MOLDING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
11233130
Incident
May 31, 2019
Mileage
129,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 19, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10667259
Incident
Dec 19, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 25, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID
10628080
Incident
Aug 21, 2014
Mileage
171,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 29, 2013

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.

NHTSA ID
10554114
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 29, 2012

THIS IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE FORD TAURUSES WHERE THE HEATER JUST STOPS WORKING. EACH TIME IT STOPS WORKING IT SEEMS TO COST OVER 2,000.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE ACTUATOR MOTOR, THE HEATER CORE, AND THE BLOWER DOOR ALL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED. EVEN AFTER REPAIR IT SEEMS THAT IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR BEFORE IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN. JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. WE HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER SYSTEM 3 TIMES AND IT JUST DID IT AGAIN. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH MANY OF THE FORD PRODUCTS THAT USE THE HEATER SET UP LIKE THE TAURUS. IT MAY ALSO INCLUDE THE FOR F150 TRUCK WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490434
Incident
Dec 3, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 4, 2012

SINCE I BOUGHT MY FORD IN JULY 2003 I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY WINDSHIELD BEING DEFECTIVE, THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF HAS LITTLE CHIPS IN IT (A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE GLASS) AND I'VE ALWAYS COMPLAINED TO MY FORD DEALER ABOUT HIGHWAY NOISE. 9 YEARS LATER THE "NOISE" HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I'M AFRAID THAT IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH THAT MY WINDSHIELD WILL FALL OUT! ALSO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAD TO STUFF TISSUES TO REDUCE THE RATTLING OF MY WINDSHIELD. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON RECALLS FOR MY CAR I'VE FOUND ONE RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING ALL THESE YEARS. PLEASE TELL ME THAT I CAN STILL HAVE MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED. IT'S COMING TO THE POINT THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. FORD RECALL NUMBER 03C03, DATED MARCH 03, 2003 FROM NHTSA. THESE RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT IN MARCH ON 2003, I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM FORD IN JULY 2003! . THE WEBSITE THAT I HAD FOUND THIS INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/DOCUMENTLIST.XHTML?DOCID=03V087&DOCTYPE=RCL *JS

NHTSA ID
10464183
Incident
Jul 25, 2003
Mileage
29,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS WET. THE CONTACT WAS DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE TWO FAILURES WERE RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID
10425443
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
111,000 mi
SuspensionVisibility
Filed May 16, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING 4 NEW TIRES HE NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING THE FLAT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK GOODYEAR WHERE THEY INFROMED HIM THE BOTH COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. UPDATED 11/16/11

NHTSA ID
10401020
Incident
Dec 16, 2010
Mileage
76,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 7, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10386742
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 5, 2010

I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES, IT HAS 69,400 MILES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT IS GARAGED 90% OF THE TIME. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER CARPET WAS SOAK AND WET, AND I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT, I ASSUMED THAT MAYBE WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, I HAD CRACKEDTHE WINDOW OPEN AND RAIN GOT INSIDE ON PASSENGER CARPET. IN MARCH OF 2010, I HAD A HOUSE SITTER, WHILE I WENT ON VACATION. I MOVED MY CAR OUTSIDE, SO THAT SHE COULD USE MY GARAGE. THE CAR SAT OUTSIDE FOR 3 WEEKS, THE NORTHEAST HAD TORRENTIAL RAINS EVERYDAY, AND AREA FLOODING ON STREETS. I HAD COME HOME FROM VACATION, DROVE MY CAR AND HEARD A NOISE CLANKING UNDER DASHBOARD. I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS MY HEATER. I HAD MY HUSBAND REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK THE OLD HEATER OUT, IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WITH WATER STILL ON IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE HOUSESITTER HAD TAKEN MY CAR OUT AND SHE LEFT A WINDOW OPEN.NOW IT IS OCTOBER, I AM ATTENDING DRIVING INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL, AND MY TEACHER GAVE ME WEBSITE FOR RECALLS. I DECIDED TO CHECK TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS, AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, FOR HEATERS SHORTENING OUT ,I NOW HAVE NO A/C AND DON'T KNOW WHY ALONG WITH WET CARPETS ON PASSENGER SIDE L. I PRINTED OUT RECALL 03V-087000 AND TOOK TO FORD TODAY, THEY STATE THAT MY VIN HAS NO CAMPAIGN MESSAGE FOR A RECALL. RECALL#03V-087000 IS FOR CERTAIN 2002-2003 TAURUS AND SABLES. WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH THE REST OF VIN # THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE NOT INCLUDED. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY CAR IN RAIN AND GET OTHER COMPONENTS SHORT OUT, OR POSSIBLE FIRE, AND KEEP GETTING THE CARPET WET, BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE MOLD TO GROW UNDERNEATH. ALL CARS IN THIS YEAR MAKE MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED IF ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DID NOT SAVE THE OLD HEATER, BECAUSE AT THE TIME I THOUGHT MAYBE RAIN HAD GOT IN THRU THE WINDOW. PLEASE HELP, I LOVE MY CAR AND IT IS OTHERWISE A GOOD RUNNING CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359253
Incident
Mar 22, 2010
Mileage
69,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 30, 2010

2002 FORD TAURUS COWL LEAK WATER INTO PASS/SIDE FLOOR & RUG BURNING (SHORTING)OUT AC MOTOR FORD ISSUED TSB-03-15-6 RECALL EXISTED 03V087000 BOUGHT 2ND HAND FROM FORD DEALERI HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM UNTIL THE RAINS CAME IN WINTER OF 2008- 2009 WHEN BLOWER BURNED OUT.I WENT TO FORD DEALER & HE NEVER TOLD ME FORD KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM SO I HAD TO PAY FOR AC BLOWER MOTOR. I WOULD LIKE TO REF.COMPLAINT # 10184014 (YOUR NUMBER) IF FORD KNOWS THIS IS CAUSING CUST/$ WHY SHOULD THEY NOT FIX THE PRODUCT? *TR

NHTSA ID
10352865
Incident
May 24, 2009
Mileage
72,500 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 3, 2010

OCCASIONALLY, AFTER HEAVY RAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR OF MY TAURUS WOULD BE SOAKED. THIS WENT ON FOR A FEW YEARS. DURING THE WINTER OF 2007, THE BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING DUE TO THE LEAK. WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT DEFROST MY WINDOWS. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS. NOT ONLY WAS I UNABLE TO DEFROST THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD, BUT I ALSO COULD NOT PREVENT ICE FROM FORMING ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE WINDOW COWL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD AND VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THIS DID STOP THE LEAK. MY TAURUS IS A 2002, BUT I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2000 TO 2005 MODELS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT NHTSA HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THIS AND ISSUED A RECALL. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND THE ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR ALMOST A DECADE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347109
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
45,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 22, 2010

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH 225,000 MILES. ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT WINDOW GOT THIS PERFECT ROUND CRACK IT THE WINDOW THEN ALMOST SHATTERED. I DID NOT REPLACE IT YET TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10301822
Incident
Dec 3, 2009
Mileage
195,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 11, 2010

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE. NEXT DAY, NO HEAT. I HAD A MECHANIC BACKFLUSH THE LINE AFTER WHICH I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME(VERY LITTLE) HEAT FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH JUST TO GET ME THROUGH THE WINTER. FOLLOWING YEAR, I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BACKFLUSHED AGAIN. SAME RESULTS, BUT NOW THE AC IS STAYING ON WITH THE VENT ON AND I HAVE NO HEAT ANY WHERE BUT AT THE FLOOR BOARDS AND THAT IS VERY LITTLE TO NONE. A MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT IT IS THE HEATER CORE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE HEATER CORE SOUND TO BE A RESULT OF AN INCIDENT I HAD: WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, I HAD A PROBLEM WITHIN 30 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP WHERE WATER WAS LEAKING UNDER THE HOOD FROM OUTSIDE. I WAS CHARGED FOR REPLACING A FAULTY COWLICK. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN WEEKLY WHEN THE CAR GOT WET IF THE COWLICK WAS NOT REPLACED. WHEN I QUESTIONED HOW THIS WAS POSSIBLE THAT I HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART BEFORE; I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEVER GOT WET WHILE IN THEIR OWNERSHIP,(OPEN LOT WITH NO GARAGES TO PROTECT VEHICLES FROM RAIN). I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298949
Incident
Jan 6, 2010
Mileage
107,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 4, 2010

WINDSHIELD DEVELOPS A LEAK PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE HAD THE BLOWER MOTOR REPAIRED AND THE WINDSHIELD RE-SEALED BUT IS LEAKING AGAIN. WATER PUDDLES IN THE PASSENGER FLOOR. HEATER LOOSES HEAT WHEN BLOWER SPEED IS TURNED UP, THINK THIS MAY BE RELATED TO WATER ISSUE AS WELL. HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE THE WINDSHIELD IS GETTING LOOSE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298172
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Dec 27, 2009

WATER LEAKS INTO THE HEATER BLOWER BOX WHEN RAINING AND THEN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE WATER HAS SHORTED OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. THIS ALSO CAUSED RUST TO FORM ON THE FAN, THE MOTOR AND RESISTOR PACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297091
Incident
Nov 20, 2009
Mileage
79,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 16, 2009

I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND UNDERSTAND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. MY A/C BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND WAS FILLED WITH WATER WITH TRACES OF RUST. I REPLACED THE BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH, THE BLOWER RESISTOR BOARD, AND REMOVED AND REBUILT THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE AUTO PARTS STORE I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS FROM (DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FORD DEALER) TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10280560
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningVisibility
Filed Jun 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. AFTER A HARD RAIN, WATER ACCUMULATES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER BLOWER AND AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ONLY OPERATE ON THE HIGH SETTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT BLOGGED AND DISCOVERED THE ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10273113
Incident
Mar 8, 2009
Mileage
89,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 13, 2009

EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVY, I END UP WITH WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. THE DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR HAS SHORTED OUT THREE TIMES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM FORD TAURUS OWNERS. DUE TO SOME KIND OF DEFECT,WATER GETS IN THE HEATING SYSTEM AND ENDS UP ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. IT ALSO MAKES THE DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258622
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
78,345 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 10, 2009

REFERENCE FORD TSB #04-15-3. I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT THERE IS A RECALL #03V087000 ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT EXPIRED IN 2007, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PURCHASE A NEW MOTOR FOR $133.97, FORD PART #1F1Z-19805-AA. THIS IS EVIDENTLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE INTERNET SITE I VISITED HAD 7 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT NOW YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOW DEFROSTERS. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT MAINLY TO SEE IF FORD WON'T EXTEND THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALL NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258238
Incident
Dec 12, 2008
Mileage
39,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 29, 2009

2002 TAURUS CABIN LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT CAUSED MY BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. 1/29/2009 THIS COMPLAINT IS LISTED UNDER RECALL 03V087000. IT IS ALSO LISTED UNDER COMPLAINT NUMBER 10228606 . THE FORD DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE PROBLEM UNDER WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER RECALL 03V087000. THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2002 TAURUS IS 1FAHP5352G283392. I HAD THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED TODAY( JANUARY 29, 2009). THIS PROBLEM ONLY SHOWED UP AFTER I BEGAN PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE OUTSIDE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE ENTIRE COST OF $315.59 IT COSTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256905
Incident
Jan 5, 2009
Mileage
105,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 27, 2009

HEATER FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGHEST SPEED ONLY. I FOUND OUT FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A CONTROL SWITCH, BUT WAS A RESISTOR NETWORK P/N F6DZ 19A706 AA. I REPLACED THE PART AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED (TEMPORARILY). SAME PROBLEM RETURNED 5 MONTHS LATER (9/26/08). MORE INQUIRING AT THE DEALER REVEALED THE PROBLEM SOURCE. WATER LEAKING THROUGH A HOLE NEAR CABIN AIR FILTER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 04-15-3 EXPLAINS THE REMEDY AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. REPLACED RESISTOR FOR SECOND TIME AND INSTALLED WEATHERSTRIP 4F1Z 54022A54 AA, AND PANEL 4F1Z 54018A16 BAA AND APPLIED SILICONE SEALANT IN THE LEAK HOLE. DID NOT REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING. NOW 1/25/09 THE RESISTOR FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME. WILL BE REPLACING THE RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR SINCE IT APPEARS THE BLOWER IS SHORTED AND IS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURE OF THE RESISTOR NETWORK. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALER WB LINCOLN MERCURY THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, BUT IT APPARENTLY WAS NOT CLASSIFIED AS SUCH. ONE FORD TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH AT THIS DEALER SAID HE HAD REPAIRED ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THESE SAME DEFECTS HIMSELF. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256475
Incident
Apr 28, 2008
Mileage
59,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 14, 2009

BLOWER MOTOR NOISE, AND LEAKING ON THE FIREWALL. THE LEAKING STARTED IN 2008, I HAD THE TROUGH ABOVE THE FIREWALL AND THE BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED, AND NOW THE BLOWER MOTOR MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING SOUND. MY CAR IS A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES AND IT ONLY HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED LEAKING, AND NOW ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT, WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR MAKING THESE SOUNDS. I AM FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. EXISTING RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND A SECOND COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10184014. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254986
Incident
Mar 18, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalSuspension+1 more
Filed Dec 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH SHORTENS THE CIRCUIT IN THE FLOORBOARD. SECONDLY, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). FINALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BALL JOINTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO FAIL. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10252101
Incident
Dec 15, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 18, 2008

WITH THE COLD MICHIGAN WEATHER UPON US, MY HEATER BLOWER IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE REMOVAL OF FOGGY/FROSTY WINDOWS FOR MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND OTHERS. FORD HAS HAD COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, I SPOKE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS VERY COMMON WITH THE FORD TAURUS AS WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AND SHORTS OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR. THEY SAID THIS WOULD BE A $400.00 REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249113
Incident
Nov 4, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .