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CarComplaints.com Notes: Most people need a car where the coil springs don't puncture or shred tires while driving. The Taurus fails in that respect.

The 1999-2003 Ford Taurus has a huge problem with coil springs breaking, which can puncture or even shred tires while driving.

The US government spent THREE YEARS (2008-2011) investigating the 2002-2003 Taurus coil springs. Although Taurus/Sable from earlier years were recalled, ultimately the NHTSA did not force a recall. They determined that because there had been no deaths & very few bad crashes & injuries, the broken coil springs defect was no big deal & not a safety defect. Tell that to all the owners who had close calls...

6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$420
Average Mileage:
86,250 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace every sensor and solenoid on the car (shotgunnning). (1 reports)
  3. replace fuel pump (1 reports)
  4. replaced ignition coil, plugs & wires (1 reports)
2002 Ford Taurus engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Ford Taurus Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 122004

Taurus SE 3.0L-Liter V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A ride in a tow truck to the dealership and a half day productivity gone.

- David L., Highland, CA, US

problem #5

Sep 062010

Taurus SES 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

From what I have read from others, it seems that the ignition coil issue is pretty common. Our check engine light came on and the the engine started stalling. I drove to Advanced auto and had them read the computer. The error read that I had a misfire on cylinder 6. Our mechanic found that I was due for a tune-up (go figure at 95,000 miles) and had a bad ignition coil. Total bill was approx. $425.00.

- Christian B., Vincennes, IN, US

problem #4

Mar 242010

Taurus SES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I had my mechanic run the computer to see if anything will come up going wrong, because the Service engine soon light was on. It said that cylinder 1 was misfiring for the first 1000 revolutions... Then the light went away. A couple weeks later, I was on the highway about to exit when the car just started slowing down. i could feel it resisting when i pressed the gas, to where i had the the pedal all the way to the floor. Then it sped back up, for a minute, (luckily I was on the off ramp) when suddenly the car just stop and died. I had to have AAA tow it. When I had my mechanic check it out, all was okay??? But the the very next morning, the service engine soon came back on.

- kartune, Fountain Valley, CA, US

problem #3

Oct 012009

Taurus SE 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had problems with my car riding rough when I tried to accelerate. I didn't get the problem fixed because I thought it was related to other problems I was having. They changed the serpentine belt in my car along with the oil. They flushed my radiator thinking that it would also fix my heating problem. I always smell oil burning as I drive my car. I don't know what the problem is. I think it is burning oil. Before having my "leaking" radiator reservoir, I thought the problem would go away. It hasn't.

- Matthew S., Evansville, IN, US

problem #2

Apr 292006

(reported on)

Taurus SES

  • 99,000 miles

I have replaced almost every sensor solenoid on the car. I have to use the shotgun approach because the geniuses at Ford designed a PCM system that cannot detect the problem. No more Ford cars for me.

- ked, Holly, MI, US

problem #1

Jun 012007

Taurus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Many times when accelerating I get a hesitation. It feels exactly like a transmission problem like my last car except this hasn't turned out to be anything. It seems to happen most often when accelerating to highway speeds from an on-ramp when I am already going like 30mph and I accelerate to 60+. I had taken it back to the dealer shortly after purchasing it over 6 months ago, but they found nothing, and could get it to sputter in a test drive. It doesn't happen all the time. Its usually resolved by letting off the gas for a second, and then continuing... over 5000 miles later, its still doing it, and I've learned to live with it.

- Corey W., Cranston, RI, US

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