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...
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,219 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My 2002 Ford Taurus had its front driver side coil spring break and slice the front tire open. This resulted in $1200 in damage (coil springs, struts, front linkage, and tire).
-the contact stated that on January 5, 2006, the front spring broke on the vehicle's driver side and sliced through the tire. The vehicle was parked when she noticed the flat tire. There were no warnings nor did the contact feel anything unusual when driving the vehicle the day before. The contact has had the vehicle repaired but stated that they replaced it with the same type of spring. The contact stated her concern is that it will break again. The vehicle is a 2002 Ford Taurus and had approximately 58,000 at the time of the failure. The contact has the tire and the front spring available. The contact did not know engine size or number of cylinders.
Front left coil spring exploded into numerous pieces at approximately 15 mph after leaving a stop light. No tire damage, will contact the local Ford dealer regarding repairs, at my expense I'm sure. This could have been really dangerous since my wife normally drives the car with our two children. Shame on Ford for not extending the previous recall to the 2002 model.
On 1/5/07, the front left coil spring on my 2002 Ford Taurus (purchased on 10/27/01) broke rupturing the tire. The vehicle was towed to a local Ford dealership to be repaired at my expense. I was informed that although the coil springs have been recalled on 1999-2001 models, my vehicle is not covered under the recall since it a 2002 model. I called the "800" number for Ford only to once again be told that there are no current warranties or recalls to cover my expense, but to hold on to the receipt in case the recall is extended to cover my vehicle. How many people need to report failure in order for the recall to be expanded? in doing research it appears that the coil springs on the 2002 models are just as faulty as the 1999-2001 models.
- the contact stated the left front coil spring ruptured while traveling in reverse at 2-3 mph. The contact heard a noise and discovered the left front tire was flat. The spring went through the firewall. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who replaced both front springs.
- the contact was driving when front passenger side coil spring failed. The contact stated that he had just come to a stop under dry conditions when the failure happened. The contact found out that the failure was due to the coil spring corroding from the inside out. Updated 01/31/07.
Ford 2002 Taurus wagon. Front coil spring broke while at low speed in parking lot. The spring punctured the inside wall of tire causing a blowout of the tire. Lucky I wasn't at speed or a possible bad accident could have happened. The part is not under the recall for the 2001 Ford Taurus even though it is the same part number according to the Ford dealer. This is a safety issue and must be addressed by the NHTSA and Ford.
Pulling out of driveway, heard noise and car would not back out. Husband checked tire and it was flat. Next day, he removed flat tire (tire was brand new!) and noticed that front driver's side coil spring was fractured and the sharp part slashed the new tire. Car towed to Ford dealership and after inspector looked at it, they fixed it for just the cost of the alignment and new tire. Which they say was not covered under my extended warranty. I ended up paying $260. I hope there is a recall because this is a very dangerous thing that could have happened and it's not our fault that they parts are defective so why should we have to pay anything at all!!
As I was backing up the front drivers side coil spring broke, puncturing the tire. It is the same issue that was previously covered under another recall that covered model years 1999-2001. As a result of the situation, I incurred expense to replace the coil springs, struts and upper mounts; plus replacing the tire that was damaged. I would like to find out if this has occurred to other owners especially with a previous recall under the same situation.
The front right side coil spring broke while backing out the driveway on my 2002 Ford Taurus SE. This was not on the Ford recall program although it was exactly the same problem as what occurs on the vehicles within the recall. Both front springs had to be replaced along with the struts, shocks, and link pins.
Backed out of garage and both rear springs broke. No tire puncture so drove to dealer. Springs not covered under recall. Had both front springs replaced because they broke in May. Dealer replacing springs at my cost.
I have a 2002 Taurus with the coil spring problem. The owner before had the front springs replaced, yet I also had the rear end ones snap! not only did it snap but it also bent the struts on the rear end. They had a safety recall on the 1998-2001 and in 2003 they came out with stronger springs...but what about the 2002 Taurus? I have been calling them for a week now and they will not stand behind their cars. I have googled it and pulled hundreds of postings with people having this happen. I think its wrong that they are not standing behind the cars. I hope you can help the Taurus owners with this before this kills someone.
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs "passenger side front coil spring failed". (same as 1999-2001 complaint file no.: NHTSA recall # 04V332000 ) very dangerous!! there is no recall on the 2002 Taurus yet, I got an estimate, and it estimates a minimum of $600 and they recommended I replaced the left one too for safety!
Purchased a 2002 used Ford Taurus vehicle with 21,000 miles from my local Ford dealership in 2003. Vehicle now has 51,000 miles. Spring broke last week in front left wheel, blowing out tire. No accident, but had to have car towed. Mechanic also found second broken spring in rear of vehicle. Contacted local Ford garage, found that there had been recall for same problems, model years 1999 to 2001. My car not included in the recall. Have E-mailed Ford customer service three times, with no resolve to my problem. Have repair bill for new tire, towing and four spring replacements. Have all four springs removed from my car. From you website, have the recall information which identifies the exact same problem my car had, just wrong model year. Recall extends warranty on these springs to 150,000 miles and offered replacements. I am looking for reimbursement of my vehicle repairs. I feel there is no legitimate reason why two springs should break on a vehicle with no abuse or in no accidents. This problem could have resulted in serious injury or even fatality to my family.
: the contact stated when the vehicle was placed into reverse, a clicking noise was heard. The vehicle was exited and the front left tire was found to be flat, because the front coil spring had fractured and punctured the tire. The service dealer was notified but not the manufacturer.
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus and have already had the right rear coil spring replaced because it broke. Today while sitting in my driveway the left front coil spring broke. I will now have to have this replaced also.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Solon, OH, USA