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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...

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,631 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.

2002 Ford Taurus suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Ford Taurus Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #85

Dec 072011

Taurus

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the rear driver's side coil springs fractured causing the rear driver's side tire to blow out. The contact pulled to the shoulder of the road and the tire was replaced with a spare tire. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the coil spring was replaced. The failure recurred on two occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Omaha , NE, USA

problem #84

May 102007

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving in reverse approximately 5 mph, a loud noise emitted outside of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the front passenger's side tire was deflated and exhibited a puncture as a result of the fractured coil spring. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was experienced several times. The manufacturer had not been notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/18/13 the consumer stated the coil springs in the front failed 3 times as well as 2 in the back. This failure punctured 3 tires causing them to go flat. Updated 06/24/2013

- West Jefferson, NC, USA

problem #83

Mar 092013

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while changing the rear passenger tire, he noticed that the coil spring was fractured. The contact also mentioned that on another occasion the front driver's side tire became flat and he noticed that the coil spring was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000 and the current mileage was 87,000....updated 05/08/13 updated 06/11/2013

- Emmetsburg, IA, USA

problem #82

Dec 022011

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine oil change when the contact was made aware that the rear driver and passenger side springs were fractured and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 01/13/12 the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 01/18/12

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #81

Apr 252011

Taurus

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 35 mph both front and back coil springs broke. The failure caused the front of the vehicle to fall on the tires. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who repaired the vehicle. The dealer informed him that his year, make and model vehicle does not have any recalls or warranties; therefore, he had to pay for the cost of the repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Jenison, MI, USA

problem #80

Mar 112011

Taurus

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that as the vehicle was started, the rear driver side coil spring fractured. The contact did not contact the dealer or manufacturer to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #79

May 092008

Taurus

  • 60,209 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While having the vehicle serviced for routine maintenance by an authorized dealer the contact was told that one of the rear coil springs was fractured. Both rear coil springs were replaced. Approximately seven months later, the failure recurred on the front driver side coil spring. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where both front coil springs were replaced. The failure mileage was 60,209 and the current mileage was 78,767.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #78

Dec 142010

Taurus

  • 56,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. All four coil springs were broken on his vehicle. The right rear and left front tires were damaged by the coil springs. He repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was called and stated that there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 56,500. Updated 02/02/11

- Akron, NY, USA

problem #77

Aug 182010

Taurus

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated when driving 10 mph or more, there was an abnormal rubbing noise from the rear tire. The contact later discovered that the coil springs were fractured and damaged the rear passenger side tire. The dealer advised that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 117,000.

- Glen Saint Mary , FL, USA

problem #76

Jul 262010

Taurus

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving at approximately 50 mph, there was an abnormal grinding noise near the rear driver side tire. The contact moved off the roadway and went to inspect the vehicle. The contact was unable to determine where the noise was coming from. The contacts personal mechanic inspected the vehicle but was also unable to locate the origin of the abnormal noise. The contact stated the failure would occur intermittently and only when attempting a turn. The dealer found that the coil spring was rusted and fractured. The noise was caused by the soil spring rubbing against the interior of the tire. The coil spring was replaced as well as the rear stabilizer links. The failure mileage was 94,000 and the current mileage was 94,225.

- East Peoria, IL, USA

problem #75

Apr 192010

Taurus

  • 118,479 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 10 mph, the rear coil spring broke and punctured the tire. The dealer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. The contact stated he had previously experienced the failure with the font coil spring and the manufacturer took the liability for the repair. The dealer advised that the current failure would only be replaced at the owners expense. The current and failure mileages were 118,497.

- Silex, MO, USA

problem #74

Feb 142010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Ford Taurus defective springs the consumer stated she was pulling out of a parking lot when she heard a noise. She promptly stopped driving, and discovered the front driver's side tire was flat. She put the spare tire on and returned to where she purchased the tires, only to learn the warranty did not cover the situation. The consumer was informed the tire would not be replaced, because the damage was caused by a broken coil spring and not because of any inherent problem with the tire itself. A month and a half later, the driver's side rear tire was damaged in the same manner which was due to a defective coil spring. The consumer discovered a recall regarding the coil springs for the 1999-2001 models.

- Westlake, OH, USA

problem #73

Apr 192010

Taurus

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving in reverse at speeds of 5 mph, the rear passenger side coil spring fractured. Both the dealer and manufacturer were contacted and advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure and the vehicle was outside of factory warranty. Repairs to the vehicle would be at the owners expense. The failure and current mileage was 36,000.

- Palo Heights, IL, USA

problem #72

Mar 262010

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While pulling out of his driveway, the rear coil spring broke, which caused the vehicle to drop lower than manufacturer specifications. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls related to the failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 82,000. Updated 6/21/10 updated 06/24/10.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #71

Dec 032009

Taurus

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking space the front spring broke on the driver side puncturing the tire. The contact took the vehicle to sears to have the tire and the front spring replaced. A month later while driving at 50 mph the rear driver side spring broke and punctured the tire. The contact called the dealer and the dealer informed the contact that there was no recall. The contact saw a recall regarding the suspension:front:springs:coil springs, but the 2002 year/model was not included. Failure mileage was 64,000.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #70

Dec 072009

Taurus

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The driver-side front springs fractured while reversing out of a parking space at 4 mph. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The technician discovered that the passenger rear springs had fractured also. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #69

Apr 052009

Taurus

  • 81,354 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While proceeding to back up the vehicle, the contact heard a loud grinding noise and smelled a burning rubber odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the rear passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the rear tire. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $562. The manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided because the VIN was excluded from the recall. The failure mileage was 81,354 and current mileage was 81,360.

- Bellefontanie, OH, USA

problem #68

May 132009

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While the vehicle was being inspected, the rear coil springs failed on both sides of the vehicle. The dealer stated that there was no recall or tsb for this year, make, and model vehicle; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repair cost. The contact believes a recall should be issued for the coil springs since there are some recalls for the 1999-2001 models. The current and failure mileages were 78,000. Updated 06/09/09. Updated 06/10/09.

- Saco, ME, USA

problem #67

May 102009

Taurus 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the coil springs are splitting in half in the rear of the vehicle. The front coil springs may also be failing. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact wants the vehicle to be repaired. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 5/26/09 updated 05/28/09.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #66

May 052009

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While backing out the driveway at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud popping sound. He jacked up the vehicle and noticed that the front coil spring failed and punctured the tire. He found recalls on the internet for the 1999-2001 models, but not for the 2002 models. The manufacturer will not cover the cost of the repair. The contact was advised to keep the receipts to receive reimbursement in case a recall is issued. The current and failure mileages were 94,000. Updated 06/24/09. The mechanic also informed the consumer the rear coil spring were near failure as well. Updated 07/02/09.

- Reading , PA, USA

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