2002 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 1,426 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (65% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,426 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Backing out of parking space resulting to damage to both vehicles . Brake\gas pedals. Position of driver ( body turned) relative to pedals while backing car can allow drivers foot to be in contact with both pedals. Increased pressure on the brake can allow increased pressure on the gas pedal allowing the vehicle to continue in a reversed direction . Can strike a person or object resulting in injury or damage. Subject car is a station wagon and appears to have lower seating \configuration than a sedan .”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2025
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that the brake light started to flash while driving however, there was no brake malfunction. The vehicle was taken to auburn automotive (500 s. Opdyke rd, waterford, mi 48328, (248) 332-9300) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the undercarriage of the vehicle was extremely rusted and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. *bf”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the front and rear driver's side coil springs fractured. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contact nor informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Structure · May 2019
“Takata recall: I bought a car from a man less than 5 months ago and I slowly started to notice some things. I started out with 3 windows working instead of four which I was not told. My driver side window doesn't even work and it stopped about a moth ago. A week before that my airbag light comes on, my brother was actuallly the one driving when that happened. Also, I found out that I had the wrong battery in the car so I don't know what other damage that has done. Please contact me for more information.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“Driving at a speed of about 25 mph ,my car suddenly revved up and sped up without my pressing the gas. I nearly rear-ended a car in front of me. I pressed on my brake as hard as I could but it did not help much .I downshifted to 3rd gear but still not much help. Finally it returned to normal speed. I was too scared and did not see how high the rpms went.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the door ajar warning indicator illuminated even when the doors were not open. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 110,000. *dt *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2018
“My 2002 ford taurus suddenly would not shift out of park. My back driver side brake light won't work. I look it up and saw a recall but when I called the dealership they said there wasn't a recall on my car. Please help”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2018
“On 14 oct 2017, the subject vehicle had just been serviced. On the drive home, the throttle cable became stuck causing the car to not stop accelerating. The driver was able to exit the highway and stopped the car by crashing into a dumpster/fence at a service station.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2017
“The car has experienced 2 failures of the right front strut spring resulting in destruction of the tire. First at 75,000 miles second at 100000 mi. Both tires flattened at between 30 & 50 mph”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 75 of these complaints and injuries in 44 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 1,426 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is suspension (65% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.