2002 Ford Taurus Problems: Suspension (1,407 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2002 Ford Taurus is Suspension (65% of 1,407 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-16 1,407 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2002 Ford Taurus?

912 of 1,407 filings named Suspension (65% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Glass / wipers / cameras (86 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Brakes, Glass / wipers / cameras, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2001 has 1,017 reports on file; this year has 1,407. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2002 Ford Taurus

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  3. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  4. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Suspension. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Suspension 912 complaints · 64.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 74
  • Fires 11
  • Injuries 43
  • Deaths 0
All Ford Taurus years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Suspension (SUSPENSION) appears in 912 of 1,407 owner complaints (64.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. Suspension (SUSPENSION): 912 complaints, 64.8% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 912 · 64.8% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 86 complaints, 6.1% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 86 · 6.1% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 62 complaints, 4.4% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 12 crash reports 62 · 4.4% Engine (ENGINE): 50 complaints, 3.6% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 4 crash reports 2 fire reports 50 · 3.6% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 40 complaints, 2.8% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 37 crash reports 1 fire reports 40 · 2.8% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 38 complaints, 2.7% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 1 crash reports 38 · 2.7% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 33 complaints, 2.4% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 2 crash reports 33 · 2.4% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 33 complaints, 2.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 5 crash reports 33 · 2.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 27 complaints, 1.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 3 fire reports 27 · 1.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 1,043 complaints, 74.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 40 crash reports 4 fire reports 1,043 · 74.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 912 64.8% 6 crashes · 1 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 86 6.1% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 62 4.4% 12 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 50 3.6% 4 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 40 2.8% 37 crashes · 1 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 38 2.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 33 2.4% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 33 2.4% 5 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 27 1.9% 0 crashes · 3 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1,043 74.1% 40 crashes · 4 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2001; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2002. 2001-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2002-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2002-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2002-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2003-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2003-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2003-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2003-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2004-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2004-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2004-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 2004-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2005-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2005-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 2005-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2005-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2006-Q1: 31 owner reports 31 2006-Q2: 27 owner reports 27 2006-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2006-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2007-Q1: 58 owner reports 58 2007-Q2: 45 owner reports 45 2007-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 2007-Q4: 37 owner reports 37 2008-Q1: 82 owner reports 82 2008-Q2: 61 owner reports 61 2008-Q3: 47 owner reports 47 2008-Q4: 52 owner reports 52 2009-Q1: 76 owner reports 76 2009-Q2: 55 owner reports 55 2009-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2009-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2010-Q1: 103 owner reports 103 2010-Q2: 64 owner reports 64 2010-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 2010-Q4: 25 owner reports 25 2011-Q1: 55 owner reports 55 2011-Q2: 44 owner reports 44 2011-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2011-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2012-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2012-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2012-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2012-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2013-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2013-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2013-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2013-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2014-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2014-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 2014-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2016-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2001 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 02V266000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V266000 Recall campaign 03V087000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V087000 Recall campaign 04V106000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V106000 Recall campaign 16E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 16E026000 Investigation RQ03008 ● Investigation RQ03008 Investigation RP03001 ● Investigation RP03001 Investigation EA08018 ● Investigation EA08018 Investigation PE12033 ● Investigation PE12033
  • Campaign 02V266000 was reported 162 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V087000 was reported 91 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 04V106000 was reported 680 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16E026000 was reported 5,092 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2001-Q4 Owner reports 3
2002-Q1 Owner reports 6
2002-Q2 Owner reports 9
2002-Q3 Owner reports 6
2002-Q4 Owner reports 9
2003-Q1 Owner reports 16
2003-Q2 Owner reports 10
2003-Q3 Owner reports 16
2003-Q4 Owner reports 8
2004-Q1 Owner reports 13
2004-Q2 Owner reports 12
2004-Q3 Owner reports 20
2004-Q4 Owner reports 10
2005-Q1 Owner reports 18
2005-Q2 Owner reports 15
2005-Q3 Owner reports 13
2005-Q4 Owner reports 23
2006-Q1 Owner reports 31
2006-Q2 Owner reports 27
2006-Q3 Owner reports 25
2006-Q4 Owner reports 21
2007-Q1 Owner reports 58
2007-Q2 Owner reports 45
2007-Q3 Owner reports 20
2007-Q4 Owner reports 37
2008-Q1 Owner reports 82
2008-Q2 Owner reports 61
2008-Q3 Owner reports 47
2008-Q4 Owner reports 52
2009-Q1 Owner reports 76
2009-Q2 Owner reports 55
2009-Q3 Owner reports 23
2009-Q4 Owner reports 24
2010-Q1 Owner reports 103
2010-Q2 Owner reports 64
2010-Q3 Owner reports 19
2010-Q4 Owner reports 25
2011-Q1 Owner reports 55
2011-Q2 Owner reports 44
2011-Q3 Owner reports 15
2011-Q4 Owner reports 9
2012-Q1 Owner reports 27
2012-Q2 Owner reports 12
2012-Q3 Owner reports 15
2012-Q4 Owner reports 10
2013-Q1 Owner reports 13
2013-Q2 Owner reports 11
2013-Q3 Owner reports 6
2013-Q4 Owner reports 7
2014-Q1 Owner reports 3
2014-Q2 Owner reports 10
2014-Q3 Owner reports 12
2014-Q4 Owner reports 4
2015-Q1 Owner reports 3
2015-Q2 Owner reports 3
2015-Q3 Owner reports 5
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 4
2016-Q2 Owner reports 3
2016-Q3 Owner reports 8
2016-Q4 Owner reports 4
2017-Q1 Owner reports 4
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 2
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 3
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 02V266000
Recall campaign 1 03V087000
Recall campaign 1 04V106000
Recall campaign 1 16E026000
Defect investigation 1 RQ03008
Defect investigation 1 RP03001
Defect investigation 1 EA08018
Defect investigation 1 PE12033
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Brakes, Glass / wipers / cameras, and Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 02V266000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 03V087000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 04V106000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 16E026000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 1,407 complaints · page 1 of 57
2026-05-10Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11736873
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Cylinder two misfire. Replaced coil pack, wires and all spark plugs. Problem reoccurring.
2025-12-10Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11704207
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 .
2020-12-11Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11383037
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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, ([redacted]) 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
2020-06-15Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11328887
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-07-18Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11233130
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-02-01EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NHTSA ODI 11173440
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2018-09-28Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11132160
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2018-08-06Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11118162
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2018-03-04Suspension (SUSPENSION)
NHTSA ODI 11076150
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING A BLOWOUT ON THE TIRE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET
2018-02-17Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11073352
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2002 Ford Taurus?

Owners named Suspension most often — 912 of 1,407 reports (65%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Ford Taurus?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Brakes, Glass / wipers / cameras, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2002 Ford Taurus?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-16. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources