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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...

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$770
Average Mileage:
110,500 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace front springs (3 reports)
  3. replace coil springs (2 reports)
2002 Ford Taurus suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Ford Taurus Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 232014

Taurus SES 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

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

As I've read from other owners,backing out of driveway heard tire go flat.after removing tire found coil spring had broken and punctured tire.( left front).took to local repair shop to get repaired.rear coil also broke.they just called and said they needed to add new strut to right front to put new coil on.so 2 new springs,new strut.new tire to replace fairly new that was punctured,$800.00 dollars later for a vehicle that was going to be replaced in april 2014.plus just replaced right front window that shattered when closing drivers door 2 weeks ago.this car has been reliable,but the front end issues over the years have been ridiculous.

- D C., Cumberland, MD, US

problem #7

Feb 032012

Taurus SE 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,586 miles

this is getting bad i replaced the front springs 2 years ago at a cost of 556 dollars now i have a rear spring broken and will have to replace them both with kits about 500 $$ i think ford needs to put this model year on recall to address this problem it seems like only the Taurus has this problem ford covered it on the 2001 model but not 2002 i know there is a lot of others out there that have the same problem

- John W., Huntington, IN, US

problem #6

Jun 022011

Taurus SES 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,532 miles

Driving sons car to meet my car pool for work driving about 70 mph on interstate when i herd a loud bang and then right rear tire blew out. After removing rear flat tire i noticed that the coil spring had broke and shredded the inside of the tire. so i would not be able to make car pool i had to miss a day of work thanks to ford motor companys failed attemt to stand behind the safety of their cars and trucks. After looking on the internet for parts i ran accross this site and was shocked to see the amount of complaints for this same problem. I personally would never own a ford product and happend to buy this ford from my girlfriend for my son.

After reading the complaints about this car on this site i will replace all the coils just for the safety of my son driving this UNSAFE 02 FORD TAURUS. By the way my girlfriend purchashed a new GM product. One would think Ford learned it lesson with the the Ford Explorer or should i say" Exploder"? I am thankful that i can type this complaint but really worry that someone else may not be this thankful....

- Jim R., Kawkawlin, MI, US

problem #5

Mar 012011

Taurus SX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

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

Not only the front but also the rear spring - which affected the brakes - which affected the tires.

Total so far without the tires - $1600.00

- wilsoncp, Norwood, MA, US

problem #4

Oct 012008

Taurus SES 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I wanted to know why, whenever I went over bumpy road, gravel, etc... the front end of my car sounded like it was shaking apart. 2 different shops told me I needed to have my struts and springs changed. I did that and the car still sounds like its shaking apart.

- Tom G., Kalamazoo, MI, US

problem #3

Apr 072010

Taurus SES 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,513 miles

I was backing out of my garage heard a pop and air releasing from tire. Thought I ran something over and just blew out tire, not a big deal right? My husband was in the process of changing the tire when he realized the spring was busted and the broken spring pierced the side of the tire (which I did not intend on replacing as all four tires are relatively new). I have placed a complaint with Ford. They told me that they report the problem to their engineers and the NHTSA They told me to save my receipt and check back in June for a possible recall. I will file my own complaint with NHTSA. My mechanic is attempting to replace just the front springs not the whole strut unit and a I have to buy one tire! Not very happy after reviewing a ton of complaints.

- rconway, Cleveland, OH, US

problem #2

Mar 282009

Taurus SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

I was on my way to go to my mom's, went out tire was flat, go back into house and got my husband. He started to pull the tire off only to find the damn coil broke in half and punctured and was stuck inside my car. Went and had it fixed and put back together. Thank god I was not driving my car - it would have been a disaster. Contacted Ford 04/02/09 wouldn't do anything about it, said to keep receipt in case of future recall.

- kristit, Huntingdon, PA, US

problem #1

Mar 112009

Taurus SES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Three weeks ago my daughter at college called to says she was having trouble with the car. It turned out to be a broken rear coil spring. Between the ruined tire and repair work the bill came to over $1200. Tonight she called to say the front spring on the driver's side had broken and one of the new tires is toast. I've been a loyal Ford customer and Ford is going to hear about this.

- Clayton D., Homewood, IL, US

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