2002 Ford TAURUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,426 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
80,473 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,229 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs is the most frequently named component, appearing in 402 of 1,426 complaints (28.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 120 | 8.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 46 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 40 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 16 | 1.1% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 402 |
| Suspension:Front | 297 |
| Suspension | 155 |
| Suspension:Rear | 109 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs | 85 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 65 |
| Structure | 33 |
| Tires | 33 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 402; Suspension:Front: 297; Suspension: 155; Suspension:Rear: 109; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs: 85; Vehicle Speed Control: 65; Structure: 33; Tires: 33
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 60 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 165 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 299 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 311 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 321 |
| 150,000 and above | 73 |
Under 25,000: 60; 25,000 to 49,999: 165; 50,000 to 74,999: 299; 75,000 to 99,999: 311; 100,000 to 149,999: 321; 150,000 and above: 73
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (321). 197 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2003 | 53 |
| 2004 | 57 |
| 2005 | 71 |
| 2006 | 105 |
| 2007 | 164 |
| 2008 | 245 |
| 2009 | 180 |
| 2010 | 212 |
| 2011 | 123 |
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2002: 30; 2003: 53; 2004: 57; 2005: 71; 2006: 105; 2007: 164; 2008: 245; 2009: 180; 2010: 212; 2011: 123; 2012: 65; 2013: 37; 2014: 29; 2015: 13; 2016: 19; 2017: 9; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 120 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 46 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002901 · 2003-01-18 (January 18, 2003)
CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER PASSING A CAR, MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT DISENGAGE AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE ACCELLERATED TO SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CARE SLOWED FROM 80 MPH TO 60 MPH. AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKES WITH AS MUCH FORCE AS POSSIBLE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED DESPITE THE CONTINUED ACCELERATION. AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELLERATIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009052 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046531 · 2003-11-07 (November 7, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE SEVERELY VIBRATES AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER HAS DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND FOUND A BROKEN COMPONENT WITHIN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057678 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING DRIVER GOT OUT TO WIPE OFF THE WINDOWS AND TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED TO REVERSE. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, AND WAS RUN OVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED LEG, CHEST, AND ARM INJURIES. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A BOAT TRAILER. *AK A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002374 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY SHIMMIED FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. DEALERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TS *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041402 · 2003-10-07 (October 7, 2003)
DRIVING ON HIGH WAY 20 IN CHEROKEE COUNTY GA A CAR RAN A RED LIGHT HITTING ME HEAD ON GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MYSELF GOING 45-50 MPH LUCKILY I DID NOT SUFFER MAJOR BODILY INJURY (WHIPLASH AND LOTS OF BRUISES). MY QUESTION IS SHOULD AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED? AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING ME TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL. I WAS DRIVING A 2002 FORD TAURUS LS. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075418 · 2004-06-15 (June 15, 2004)
REPORTEDLY A PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED 2002 FORD TAURUS [XXX] IGNITED. POLICE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AT THE BATTERY END WAS STIFF AND APPARENTLY CAUSED A FIRE. THREE VEHICLES AND A BUILDING WERE DAMAGED.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086519 · 2004-08-10 (August 10, 2004)
AUGUST 6, 2004 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE (30,750 MILES) EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS INCLUDED THE FOUR-WAY FLASHERS. TOWED TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS A WEAK BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013707 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE SEAM ON OUR GAS TANK HAD SPLIT, CAUSING IT TO FLOW INTO THE OUTER GAS COMPARTMENT & CORRODED THROUGH. WE HADN'T HIT ANYTHING AND EVEN IF WE DID IT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134017 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT WHEEL IN THE FRONT WERE BAD, HAD TO REPLACE THEM THREE TIMES. ON 8-22-05 A GARAGE TOLD THE CONTACT THE WHEEL WAS GETTING READY TO FALL OFF. THEY HAD NOT TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER. SHE HEARD A NOISE LIKE A RUBBING , GRINDING SOUND AND THE NOISE GOT WORSE. THE NOISE OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH AND ABOVE. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON, AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE FEEDBACK SENSOR TO THE ENGINE. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND P…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,022 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014285 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY CAR STALLED. THE CAR BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED AND SHAKE PROFOUNDLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND STILL NO INCREASE IN SPEED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR INCREASED TO 40 MPH AND THEN CONTINUED TO DECREASE IN SPEED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WERE MY CAR WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CAR DID START AND ACCELERATED AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,064 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119995 · 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)
ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WOULD TURN ON SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULD STALL FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. SOMETIMES THAT VEHICLE WOULD JUST DIE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST SLOW DOWN FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND, THEN PICK UP SPEED AGAIN LIKE NOTHINNG HAPPENED. THIS IS REGARDLESS OF HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING. YOU COULD BE GOING 20MPH ON A SCHOOL ZONE, OR 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. WE'VE BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON (4) DIFFERENT TIMES THROUGHOUT THE LAST 12 MONTHS. ON THE 3RD TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN (SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY/MARCH), CARMAX CHANGED THE FORCE AIR VALVE WH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10119995 at NHTSA ↗