2002 Ford Taurus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2008· SUSPENSION

  ON 5/3/08- WHILE BACKING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I GOT A FLAT TIRE. UPON INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICED I COULD NOT GET A JACK UNDER THE CAR IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE PROBLEM ENDED UP THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, RUINING IT. BEING THAT THIS IS THE SECOND FORD TAURUS THAT I HAVE HAD, I THEN REMEMBERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY (OLD) 2000 FORD TAURUS THAT INVOLVED PUTTING A BOOT ON THE COIL SPRINGS TO PREVENT THE COIL SPRING FROM PUNCTURING THE TIRE, UPON FAILURE. (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000- NHTSA ACTION # PE04044. ALTHOUGH THE ABOVE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A 2002 TAURUS, I AM QUESTIONING WHY THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO RESPOND TO THE MY1999-2001 PROBLEM, HAPPENED ON A MY 2002 VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM SET ME BACK CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ON THE APPROACH OF MY DRIVEWAY, NOT ON THE FREEWAY THAT I WAS HEADING TO. THIS TYPE OF COLLAPSE COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, IF IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINT LINE CONCERNING THE ABOVE ISSUE, AND ALL THEY INFORMED ME OF, IS THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS, IF NEEDED, TO INVESTIGATE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CONCERN THAT I HAVE ! *TR

• 12/31/2008· SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS SE WHICH I PURCHASED 5 YRS. AGO, ON12/30/08 I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR TO FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE FLAT. I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE TIRE OFF AND HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO GET THE TIRE OFF DUE TO THE SPRING BEING BROKEN AND STUCK INSIDE THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. APPARENTLY, AND THANKFULLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE, AND FORD MOTOR CO. THEMSELVES RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM IN MODEL YEARS 99-01 BUT NOT 2002. I FIND THIS ODD AS I'M SURE THE SAME EQUIPMENT THAT WAS USED IN THE 99-01 MODELS CAN BE FOUND IN THE 2002 MODELS. I INTEND TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, AS WELL AS REPLACING THE OTHER SIDE AS A PREVENTABLE MEASURE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY. THANKFULLY MY WIFE, AND CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE CAR OFTEN WERE NOT DRIVING IT WHEN THE SPRING BROKE. THANK YOU, R. WISE *TR

• 12/31/2008· SUSPENSION

  COIL SPRING ON VEHICLE BROKE. *TR

• 12/31/2007· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  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

• 12/31/2006· SUSPENSION

  FORD 2002 TAURUS WAGON. FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE AT LOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT. THE SPRING PUNCTURED THE INSIDE WALL OF TIRE CAUSING A BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE. LUCKY I WASN'T AT SPEED OR A POSSIBLE BAD ACCIDENT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE PART IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE 2001 FORD TAURUS EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PART NUMBER ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA AND FORD. *NM

• 12/31/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR BLEW FROM WATER INJECTION FROM COWL CAUSING BLOWER MOTOR TO ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. *NM

• 12/30/2010· SUSPENSION

  2002 FORD TAURUS SES. FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. THE SPRING SUBSEQUENTLY PUNCTURED THE TIRE UPON ITS FAILURE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THE CAR HAS 80,000 MILES. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, A CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN ALMOST CERTAIN. *TR

• 12/30/2010· SUSPENSION

  THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED AND SHREDDED THE TIRE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON. I ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN ON A 2000 TAURUS, THIS WAS COVERED BY A RECALL. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON LATER MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

• 12/30/2008· SUSPENSION

  MY REAR SPRING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR SNAPPED AND SLASHED MY TIRE AS I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR IS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON MANY DISCUSSION BOARDS THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2002 FORD TAURUSES. I THINK FORD SHOULD THINK ABOUT DOING A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BEING THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR SPRINGS FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

• 12/30/2007· SUSPENSION

  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?

• 12/29/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  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

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. HE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. LATER, HE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY,BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL HAD FRACTURED AND THEN PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000(SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). ADDITIONALLY THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 115,000. UPDATED 01/26/10 *BF UPDATED 01/26/10.*JB

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE REVERSING HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THEN THE TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. WHILE BEING TOWED THE DRIVER-SIDE TIRE AND COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80000.

• 12/29/2008· SUSPENSION

  BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES. THE CAR HAS 54,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I REPLACED BOTH STRUTS CONTAINING THE SPRINGS AND KEPT THE OLD PARTS. *TR

• 12/29/2005· SUSPENSION

  I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION TO BE REPAIRED. *NM

• 12/29/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. DEPRESSING THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE , THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND IT STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED TO A STOP. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT LIFTED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND THE IAC VALVE AND SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 55 MPH TO 95 MPH. IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHILE ON THE SHOULDER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION. AFTER THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED TO A STOP THE INSURANCE AGENCY WAS CONTACTED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TEST DRIVEN, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NEVER BEEN USED. *AK

• 12/29/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 02V266000 REGARDING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LINKAGES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK

• 12/28/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  FIRST INCIDENT OF THROTTLE CABLE BECOMING STUCK AND CAUSING ACCELERATION TOOK PLACE WHILE MERGING ONTO I-25 FROM UNIVERSITY BLVD IN DENVER, CO. ACCELERATED TO HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH), HOWEVER, ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NO LONGER DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. EXITED INTERSTATE AT COLORADO BLVD AND HAD TO APPLY HEAVY PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRY TO ACCELERATE. RPM'S WERE ABOUT 5,000 WHILE STOPPED, AND ONCE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN ACCELERATED WITHOUT HE ACCELERATOR BEING DEPRESSED. RPM'S ONCE AGAIN CLIMBED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK. UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND INSPECTING THE ENGINE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD COME LOOSE. TEMPORARY REPAIRS WERE MADE USING A HOSE CLAMP, HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATION HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES (AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS) SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE CABLE HOUSING HAS DEGRADED FURTHER, PROMPTING FIXES TO BE MADE TO THE THROTTLE CABLE WHENEVER AN INCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

• 12/28/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED, AND THEN PUNCTURED A WHOLE IN THE TIRE. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 198,000.

• 12/28/2008· SUSPENSION

  MY 2002 FORD TAURUS BROKE A FRONT SPRING AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ONE OF THE SPRINGS HAS BROKEN. IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 A REAR SPRING ALSO BROKE. I ONLY HAVE 32,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR I WAS LUCK THE LAST SPRING BROKE IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT RIGHT BEFORE IT BROKE I WAS DRIVING IN AN ICE STORM. THESE 2002 TAURUS NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE NO ONE IS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DECEMBER 2008 I HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 12/28/2006· SUSPENSION

  PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HEARD NOISE AND CAR WOULD NOT BACK OUT. HUSBAND CHECKED TIRE AND IT WAS FLAT. NEXT DAY, HE REMOVED FLAT TIRE (TIRE WAS BRAND NEW!) AND NOTICED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND THE SHARP PART SLASHED THE NEW TIRE. CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND AFTER INSPECTOR LOOKED AT IT, THEY FIXED IT FOR JUST THE COST OF THE ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRE. WHICH THEY SAY WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I ENDED UP PAYING $260.00. I HOPE THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND IT'S NOT OUR FAULT THAT THEY PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE SO WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING AT ALL!! *JB

• 12/28/2006· SUSPENSION

  I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, A 2002 FORD TAURUS SEDAN A FEW MILES FROM HOME WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE STARTED BOUNCING. ABOUT 30 SEC LATER I HAD A BLOW-OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR. NORMALLY THIS CAR IS USED ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A LONG DAILY COMMUTE, SO I GOT LUCKY. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE IN, A 1/4 INCH GROOVE WAS CUT IN THE INTERIOR SIDE WALL FROM A BROKEN SPRING. WHEN I EXAMINED THE SPRING IT WAS NOT RUSTED AT ALL. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE METAL THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR FOR FREE. THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL THE SPRINGS BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *NM

• 12/28/2006· SUSPENSION

  AS I WAS BACKING UP THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER ANOTHER RECALL THAT COVERED MODEL YEARS 1999-2001. AS A RESULT OF THE SITUATION, I INCURRED EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS, STRUTS AND UPPER MOUNTS; PLUS REPLACING THE TIRE THAT WAS DAMAGED. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THIS HAS OCCURRED TO OTHER OWNERS ESPECIALLY WITH A PREVIOUS RECALL UNDER THE SAME SITUATION. *JB

• 12/28/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR NECK AND EYE INJURIES. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/27/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING HIS VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING LOWER THAN NORMAL. HE WENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE COIL SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAUSING IT TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/27/2010· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD TAURUS TWO YEARS AGO. ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN OF A DRIVEWAY AT WORK AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND BOTH FRONT SPRINGS BROKEN AND TWO SHREDDED TIRES. BOTH OF THE SPRINGS WERE BROKEN IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE. HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $600.00: $400.00 FOR THE TWO SPRINGS AND $200.00 FOR THE TWO TIRES. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NOT DOING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 TAURUS'S BUT FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL YET. I AM REQUESTING THAT A RECALL BE MADE AND THE COST OF REPAIRS BE REIMBURSED TO THE OWNERS OF THE CARS. THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE REAR SPRINGS, TOO, AS MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE REAR SPRINGS BREAK ALSO. *TR

• 12/27/2009· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/27/2008· SUSPENSION

  2002 FORD TAURUS RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE AS I WAS DRIVING. *TR

• 12/27/2008· SUSPENSION

  WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (12/17/08), THE DRIVER'S SIDE/FRONT OF MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SIMPLY COLLAPSED. THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED DROPPING THE FRONT VEHICLE STRUCTURE ONTO THE TIRE. A JAGGED COIL SPRING PIECE HAD ALSO RIPPED A LARGE GASH INTO THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL TIRE PRESSURE. THE REPAIR RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING PAIR (PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED AND IN VERY POOR MECHANICAL CONDITION), A SWAY BAR LINK, STRUT MOUNT, AND NEW TIRE (TOTAL COST-$600). ADDITIONALLY, I NEEDED A RENTAL CAR TO GET TO WORK DURING THE REPAIR PERIOD (ADDITIONAL $132). DUE TO THE CATASTROPHIC NATURE OF THE TIRE FAILURE, IF THIS INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I SUSPECT THAT SEVERE INJURY/DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBLE OUTCOME. *TR

• 12/27/2008· SUSPENSION

  FRONT COIL SPRING PASSENGER SIDE BROKE CAUSING TIRE TO SHRED. FURTHER DAMAGE OF STRUT AND FRONT END UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TR

• 12/27/2007· SUSPENSION

  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.

• 12/27/2005· SUSPENSION

  MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ON DECEMBER 23. GOOD ROAD, NO BUMPS, NOTHING IN THE ROAD. SHE WAS STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD "BOOM". BECAUSE SHE WAS SLOWING FOR THE LIGHT, SHE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND TO PULL INTO A MINI-MART. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A BRAND NEW TIRE (3 WEEKS OLD). I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. IN THE MEANTIME, I CHECKED ONLINE AND I'M SEEING THAT 1999-2001 TAURUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL. I PLACED A CALL TO FORD AND TO 2 LOCAL DEALERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE 2002 AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRING THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE THRUWAY AT 65 MPH, I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS BEYOND DANGEROUS - DOES IT TAKE A FATALITY TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION? *NM

• 12/27/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY REPLACED THE AIR VALVE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. CURRENTLY, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

• 12/26/2010· SUSPENSION

  CHRISTMAS MORNING I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN A LOUD POPPING NOISE OCCURRED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING HAS FRACTURED. I WAS LUCKY TO BE AT HOME DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD A SPRING FRACTURE ON ME. BACK IN JUNE 2010 I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THE RIGHT REAR SPRING. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UN-DRIVABLE AND MUST BE TOWED TO A SHOP FOR ASSESSMENT AND REPAIR. PARTS WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND I HOPE THERE ISN'T MORE DAMAGE THAN NEEDING THE SPRING AND POTENTIALLY THE TIRE REPLACED. I AM WRITING TO MAKE YOU AWARE BECAUSE MANY OTHER 2002 FORD TAURUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM YET THE REAL RECALL ENDS WITH MODEL YEAR 2001 AND THERE IS STILL A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OPEN ON MY PARTICULAR CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/26/2008· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT SMELLED RUBBER AND PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION. SHE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, IT COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS) IS IDENTICAL TO THE CONTACT'S FAILURE, BUT IT ONLY APPLIES TO THE 1999-2001 MODELS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

• 12/26/2008· STEERING

  20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LEAVING WALMART PARKING LOT GOT A FLAT TIRE. ON REMOVING TIRE DISCOVERED TIRE HAD A HUGE GASH ON THE INSIDE OF TIRE ON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND OUT STRUT WAS BROKEN HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. *TR

• 12/26/2008· SUSPENSION

  THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AND WHEN I BACKED UP TO LEAVE, FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING BROKE, DESTROYING THE TIRE AND THE SWAY BAR END LINK. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FORD TAURUS. GLAD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. *TR

• 12/26/2007· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/26/2007· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/26/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/25/2008· SUSPENSION

  WHILE PARKED COIL SPRING FAILED (BROKE) PUNCTURING LEFT FRONT TIRE ON A 2002 FORD TAURUS. VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 90000 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO CUT THE TIRE OFF OF THE COIL SPRING TO REMOVE IT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE FRONT SET OF COILS WAS REPLACED. *TR

• 12/25/2006· SUSPENSION

  BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. DRIVING 55 MPH. REPLACED FORD DEALERSHIP $269.00. *NM

• 12/24/2009· SUSPENSION

  MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUR 2002 TAURUS FROM OUR GARAGE WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND ALSO PUNCTURED OUR TIRE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TIRES COST OVER $1,000. *TR

• 12/24/2008· SUSPENSION

  ON 12-17-2008 I DROVE MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 300 YARDS I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. RETURNED CAR TO DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED LEFT FRONT TO BE SETTING MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC (FIRESTONE) AND LEFT FRONT SPRING AND STRUT WERE BROKEN. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR TAURUS. REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS, SWAY BAR LINKS AND LEFT FRONT TIRE (SPRING TORE INTO TIRE) PLUS A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. COST = $1400. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE THIS CAR IS DRIVEN MOSTLY ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR HURT! *TR

• 12/24/2007· VISIBILITY

  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

• 12/23/2011· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/23/2008· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER FELT AS IF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE DRIVER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE WHEN HE NOTICED A HOLE ON THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, WHICH WAS DUE TO THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 020209 *BF UPDATED 02/03/09.*JB

• 12/23/2007· SUSPENSION

  2002 FORD TAURUS 108,000 MILES, BROKEN FRONT LEFT SPRING 12/10/07, BROKEN RIGHT REAR SPRING 12/20/07, UPON CHECKING RIGHT REAR, ALSO CHECKED LEFT REAR, BROKEN LEFT REAR SPRING ALSO, APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR A LONG TIME. REPLACED FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS-$500 (LABOR WAS DONE BY MYSELF), REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ($330) LABOR DONE BY MYSELF AND SWAY BAR LINKS ON BOTH SIDES, $70. *TR

• 12/23/2007· SUSPENSION

  LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. *TR

• 12/22/2010· STRUCTURE

  FORD TAURUS 2002 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH THE FRONT SUB FRAME ( ENGINE CRADLE ) BROKE AWAY DO TO CORROSION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DO TO THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE, TRANS AND FRONT HALF SHAFTS ARE HELD IN PLACE WITH ENGINE CRADLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS JUST KNOW COMING TO LIGHT. *TR