2002 Ford Taurus problems
Owners have filed 1,759 complaints about the 2002 Ford Taurus with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 62% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of visibility at 5.8%.
Complaints1,759
Crashes104
Fires12
Injuries72
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Suspension 62.0% · 1090
Visibility 5.8% · 102
Vehicle speed control 4.4% · 77
Engine and engine cooling 3.2% · 56
Structure 3.1% · 54
Air bags 2.8% · 50
Electrical system 2.4% · 42
Power train 2.2% · 39
Severity
Of those complaints, 104 describe a crash, 12 describe a fire and 72 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Taurus in this data, 2002 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Our 19 year old daughter was backing out of the driveway on the morning of march 29th 2008 in her 2002 Ford Taurus ses when for no apparent reason, the left front coil spring snapped in two, puncturing the tire and also broke the stabilizer link. The vehicle was towed to the local Ford dealer, where the stabilizer link and both front springs were replaced as recommended by the dealer. Also a new tire was put on. Suspension · reported at 67,048 miles
Ford Taurus 2002, built on 10/9/01 in chicago. Front passenger side coil spring broke and cut into tire. Wife was pulling out of drive way to go to shop. Son in law and I disassembled strut and spring. Trying to find replacement. 1999 Through 2001 models have a recall notice of 04v332000 dated 2004-jul-15. 2002 Should be included after seeing all the complaints and safety issues associated with this issue. Suspension · reported at 60,000 miles
: The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway when a loud noise was heard. Upon inspection of the vehicle, there was air observed coming out of the left front tire. The front suspension coil spring had fractured and had pushed the tire off the bead, knocking it out of the rim, and puncturing a 2 inch hole into the tire. The dealer was notified, who advised the contact to get the code parts. Suspension · reported at 33,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…