2002 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

IN FEBRUARY, 2008, HAD BOTH REAR SPRINGS FIXED ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. WAS TOLD BY THE GARAGE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD BUT THE 2002 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. JUST TODAY, JUNE 15, 2008, WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WITH MY FAMILY HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN IT SOUNDED LIKE WE RAN OVER A LOG - MY HUSBAND CHECKED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BUSTED. *TR

RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE AND GOUGED INTO TIRE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS, TIRES, STRUTS AND RETAINERS. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING . SPRING NEEDS REPLACED AS DOES THE REAR TIRE AS THE SPRING TORE INTO THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. *TR

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING FAILURE. *TR

JUNE 2007 DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS WERE BROKE RESULTING IN REAR STRUT FAILURE (47124 MILES). JUNE 12, 2008 (54193 MILES) RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE. CAR WAS AGAIN REPAIRED AT C & M FORD IN MASSENA WHERE I DISCOVERED 1) THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1999-2001 FORD TAURUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND 2) THAT THERE WERE THREE (3) INCLUDING MYSELF 2002 TAURUS' THAT HAD BROKEN FRONT SPRING THIS WEEK. THREE FAILURES IN ONE WEEK FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR SEEM EXTREMELY HIGH FOR A SMALL TOWN LIKE MASSENA, NY. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE WEB I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM ALL OVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. IN APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND SPRING. ON JUNE 12, 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS FAILED. THE COST FOR BOTH FAILURES WAS OVER $1,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

OWNER OF FORD TAURUS 2002 SEL, DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE IN 2 PLACES. LOCKING UP FRONT RIGHT TIRE AT LOW SPEED. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT AT HIGHER SPEED. FORD PRESENTLY HAS RECALLS ON 2000 AND 2001 SPRINGS BUT NONE ON 2002. WANT COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. WAYNE N. WALLACE. *TR UPDATED (6/24/2008): MRS. WALLACE CLARIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED. MR. WALLACE JUST HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE SPRING FAILURE. HE DROVE HOME FROM THE TIRE PLACE, PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR SAT FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN MR. WALLACE WENT TO THE CAR, HE DISCOVERED A FLAT TIRE. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A HOIST AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY FLATTENED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 02/02/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

DROVE MY CAR IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND WHEN CHECKING IT OUT FOUND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. *TR

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK THAT COMES FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER. IT ALSO LEAKS TO THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I FELT A SHOCK! I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM UNTIL MY BLOWER WENT OUT AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS DEFECT. I DID GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A RESISTER PART. THE BLOWER AND OTHER PARTS RAN THE BILL UP TO $400. PLEASE CAN SOMETHING BE DONE. *TR

THE LEFT FRONT SPRING ON THE CAR BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND TORE THE ENTIRE INSIDE PORTION OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAUSING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR TO COLLAPSE. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AS WELL AS THE ABS SENSOR WHICH WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE COLLAPSE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME BUT THE NEXT MORNING WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A RUPTURED BREAK LINE, PRESUMABLY ALSO FROM THE BROKEN SPRING. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THAT AT NO COST BUT REFUSED ANY REIMBURSEMENT/REPAIRS FOR THE SPRINGS OR OTHER REPAIRS NECESSITATED BY THE DAMAGE CAUSED DUE TO SPRINGS BREAKING. *TR

DURING STARTING OF CAR, RAN VERY ROUGH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER #1DUE TO A BROKEN VALVE SPRING IN THE ENGINE. OIL WAS ALWAYS CHANGED ABOUT EVERY 3000 MI. WITH NO PREVIOUS ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,633.

IT WAS AN AVERAGE NORMAL DAY, WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT IT ODD SO I GOT OUT TO MY CAR TO CHECK IF I HAD RAN OVER ANYTHING OR BACKED INTO SOMETHING. AT THAT MOMENT I NOTICE MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE LOWER THAN USUAL. I REENTERED MY VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT TO CONTINUE ON TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR PROCEED TO MAKE A LOUD RUBBING SOUND SO I STOPPED WHAT I WAS DOING AND DROVE BACK UP MY DRIVE WAY. I TOOK OFF THE BACK TIRE WHERE I NOTICED THAT THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND WAS RUBBING INTO MY BACK TIRE. I CHECKED THE OTHER TIRE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD SNAPPED BOTH OF THE SPRINGS ON MY REAR TIRES AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I WORK FOR 7.15 AN HOUR AT A FAST FOOD PLACE. MY FAMILY HAS WORKED FOR FORD FOR 2 GENERATIONS AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE. *TR

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A SPRING SNAP. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT, BUT SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL. SHE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY (APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES) AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, FOLLOWED BY A CLOUD OF SMOKE AROUND THE BLOWOUT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. SHE HEARD ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS), BUT IT ONLY APPLIED TO THE 1999-2001 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE MECHANIC WENT TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP FROM THE TOWING POSITION AND THE OTHER FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/24/08. 8JB

FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AS CAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF DRIVE. BROKEN SPRINGS PUNCTURED BOTH FRONT TIRES. DEALER REPORTED THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO WHAT WAS SEEN UNDER A RECALL FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS FORD TAURUS'S. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, DEALER CHARGED ME FOR NEW COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES. I KEPT THE SPRINGS AND TIRES. THE SPRINGS CLEARLY SHOW SIGNS OF FATIGUE AND CRACKING PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

FORD TAURUS 2002, BUILT ON 10/9/01 IN CHICAGO. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND CUT INTO TIRE. WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVE WAY TO GO TO SHOP. SON IN LAW AND I DISASSEMBLED STRUT AND SPRING. TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT. 1999 THROUGH 2001 MODELS HAVE A RECALL NOTICE OF 04V332000 DATED 2004-JUL-15. 2002 SHOULD BE INCLUDED AFTER SEEING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. ON CLOSER INSPECTION THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WENT INTO THE BACK SIDE OF THE TIRE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, A NEW TIRE PUT ON IT, A NEW SPRING PUT ON IT, AND A NEW STABILITY LINK. I AM GLAD IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THIS MODEL AND WE SHOULD CONTACT FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS, OR REPORT IT. I DON'T HAVE THE WHOLE BROKEN SPRING, BUT II DO HAVE A SMALL PART OF IT. IT BROKE ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM SPRING SEAT. I HAVE THE 5 INCH PIECE. *TR

YESTERDAY I DROPPED OFF MY CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE, JUST AS I PULLED IN TO THE MECHANIC'S DRIVE THE FRONT-LEFT OF THE CAR DROPPED 4" AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. A COIL BROKE, AND RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD. THE 2002 AND LATER MODELS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS FOR SOME REASON. FORTUNATELY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE SINCE THAT IS WHERE MOST OF MY DRIVING IS DONE. *TR

WITHIN ONE MONTH, TWO BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND I HAVE HAD OUR 2002 TAURUS FRONT SPRINGS BREAK CAUSING A FLAT TIRE AND EXTENSIVE LINKAGE REPAIRS. THERE IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V332000, BUT IT ONLY GOES TO MODEL YEAR 2001. FORD SHOULD EXTEND THIS RECALL TO WHAT EVERY YEAR THEY USED THIS DESIGN! A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FINDS MANY 2002 COMPLAINTS... *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND AFTER TAKING CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. ONE SPRING WAS STARTING TO RUB AGAINST TIRE. CAR ONLY HAS 51K MILES. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR SPRING REPLACEMENT. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS. I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN MY FRONT-LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, SEVERELY DAMAGING THE ADJACENT TIRE. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, THE SWAY BAR LINK, FRONT TIRE AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE GARAGE. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AFTER REPLACING THE TIRE. THE REPAIR COST ~$800. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED PLASTIC GUARDS ALONGSIDE THE COIL SPRINGS IN CASE THEY BROKE AGAIN SO THE TIRE WOULDN'T BE SHREDDED. MY PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 1996 TAURUS AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO IT; LUCKILY IN BOTH CASES I WAS NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON A BUSY ROADWAY. I NOTICE THAT FORD CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL FOR 1999-2001 TAURUS (NHTSA RECALL # 04V332000), BUT NOT THE 2002. ANECDOTALLY, FROM SPEAKING WITH MECHANICS AND THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS IN GENERAL, NOT JUST THE 99-01 MODELS. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, TIRES FAILED TO HOLD AIR PRESSURE. BOTH FRONT TIRES WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER FAILED. TIRES APPEARED TO BE DRY ROTTED ON CORNER OF SIDE WALLS. BOTH TIRES HAD SAME AREA OF DRY ROT/CRACKS IN TREAD. TIRES HAD LESS THEN 20,000 MILES ON THEM AND WHERE PROPERLY MAINTAINED. DEALER REPLACED TIRES. MFG. TBC, TOURING TR VANDERBILT. *TR

TL* 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.

COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY, HE STATED IT WAS ABOUT THE SIXTH TAURUS HE HAD TOWED THAT MONTH WITH THE SAME, EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN WE GOT TO THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE SAID HE FIXES THESE ALL THE TIME ON TAURUS' AND HE'S VERY SURPRISED THEY WILL NOT COVER IT ON A RECALL. I WAS JUST RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET & FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE VERY SAME ISSUE ON 2002 FORD TAURUS'. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE DROPPED COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT PLACED A SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

I INITIALLY NOTICED A METAL-ON-METAL GRINDING SOUND WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD (LIKE MY SHOCKS WERE BAD). I HAD THE 2002 TAURUS EXAMINED AT MY FORD DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC SAID ONE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WAS BAD. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THE FRONT TIRE HADN'T BLOWN OUT. HE ADVISED THAT I HAVE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH I DID. *TR

2002 FORD TAURUS WAGON CAR WAS IN A DRIVEWAY JUST AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON A INTERSTATE. PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE A SOUND OF METAL AND A EXPLOSION OF THE TIRE WAS HEARD (IF IT WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE PEELED IT FROM THE RIM). DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND BROKEN SPRING SLASHED A 10 INCH GASH IN THE TIRE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED FIVE MINUTES EARLIER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY SITUATION. WE WERE VERY LUCKY. I HAD TO HAVE THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON BUT THE SPRING WAS STILL TOUCHING THE TIRE. THE SPRING HAD TO BE CUT SO AS TO MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT CUTTING THE SPARE TIRE. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN SEVEN MILES TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND A NEW TIRE PUT ON. JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DON'T. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION IN THE VEHICLE. THE SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE COIL PURGE AND SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVE SIDE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO FLATTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION. HE ALSO DISCOVERED A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE SAME FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE THE AFFECTED UNITS DATE WAS FIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO HIS VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURED DATE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

ON 5/3/08- WHILE BACKING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I GOT A FLAT TIRE. UPON INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICED I COULD NOT GET A JACK UNDER THE CAR IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE PROBLEM ENDED UP THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, RUINING IT. BEING THAT THIS IS THE SECOND FORD TAURUS THAT I HAVE HAD, I THEN REMEMBERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY (OLD) 2000 FORD TAURUS THAT INVOLVED PUTTING A BOOT ON THE COIL SPRINGS TO PREVENT THE COIL SPRING FROM PUNCTURING THE TIRE, UPON FAILURE. (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000- NHTSA ACTION # PE04044. ALTHOUGH THE ABOVE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A 2002 TAURUS, I AM QUESTIONING WHY THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO RESPOND TO THE MY1999-2001 PROBLEM, HAPPENED ON A MY 2002 VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM SET ME BACK CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE PROBLEM HAPPENED ON THE APPROACH OF MY DRIVEWAY, NOT ON THE FREEWAY THAT I WAS HEADING TO. THIS TYPE OF COLLAPSE COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, IF IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINT LINE CONCERNING THE ABOVE ISSUE, AND ALL THEY INFORMED ME OF, IS THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS, IF NEEDED, TO INVESTIGATE THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CONCERN THAT I HAVE ! *TR

I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOT. I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND AIR RUSHING OUT. I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CALLED AAA AND SERVICE GUY CAME AND TOLD ME THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. I KNOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON SOME MODEL TAURUS BUT NOT MINE. I WAS FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A TIRE NEW AND TWO NEW SPRINGS. *TR

I WAS PULLING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF A SPRING UNCOILING. AS I CONTINUED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD THE SOUND OF SOMETHING RUBBING AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. I MADE A U-TURN AND PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS THEN THAT I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SITTING LOWER THAN THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A BROKEN SPRING. FORD HAS RECALLED THE 2001 TAURUS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRS WILL BE AROUND $500. THE CAR AS 60,000 MILES. *TR

2002 FORD TAURUS , FOUND BROKEN REAR SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, NOW HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH REAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS ALONG WITH REAR SWAY BAR LINKS. $1000.00 REPAIR I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR . FROM I'VE READ THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. MAY REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS AND SPRINGS ALSO BECAUSE I'VE FOUND THOSE HAVE BEEN BREAKING ALOT ALSO. SPOKE TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY SAID TOUGH LUCK PAY FOR IT YOURSELF. *TR

2002 FORD TAURUS WITH COIL SPRING FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING DESTROYED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. *KB

HEATER FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGHEST SPEED ONLY. I FOUND OUT FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A CONTROL SWITCH, BUT WAS A RESISTOR NETWORK P/N F6DZ 19A706 AA. I REPLACED THE PART AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED (TEMPORARILY). SAME PROBLEM RETURNED 5 MONTHS LATER (9/26/08). MORE INQUIRING AT THE DEALER REVEALED THE PROBLEM SOURCE. WATER LEAKING THROUGH A HOLE NEAR CABIN AIR FILTER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 04-15-3 EXPLAINS THE REMEDY AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. REPLACED RESISTOR FOR SECOND TIME AND INSTALLED WEATHERSTRIP 4F1Z 54022A54 AA, AND PANEL 4F1Z 54018A16 BAA AND APPLIED SILICONE SEALANT IN THE LEAK HOLE. DID NOT REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING. NOW 1/25/09 THE RESISTOR FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME. WILL BE REPLACING THE RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR SINCE IT APPEARS THE BLOWER IS SHORTED AND IS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURE OF THE RESISTOR NETWORK. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALER WB LINCOLN MERCURY THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, BUT IT APPARENTLY WAS NOT CLASSIFIED AS SUCH. ONE FORD TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH AT THIS DEALER SAID HE HAD REPAIRED ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THESE SAME DEFECTS HIMSELF. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000. *TR

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE. REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. ONE MONTH LATER FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REPLACED PARTS AGAIN, AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WHO IS AT COLLEGE, DRIVES A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE OTHER DAY SHE WENT TO BACK OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE AT SCHOOL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHEN THEY TRIED TO PUT THE SPARE ON THEY FOUND THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PIERCED THE TIRE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THESE CARS. THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE THEFT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,353 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, SHE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AIR COMING FROM HER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE TIRE WAS RUPTURED DUE TO A CORRODED COIL SPRING. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,642.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS TO THE STORE & FELT THE TIRE GOING FLAT. SHE STOPPED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE, & THE TIRE WOULD NOT HOLD THE AIR SO SHE CALLED ME. WHEN I GOT THERE I TRIED TO PUT THE JACK UNDER THE TIRE TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS & I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE JACK UNDER THE CAR. WITH SOME ADDITIONAL HELP I DID FINALLY GET A JACK UNDER & GOT THE TIRE OFF TO SEE A HUGE TEAR IN IT. I THEN NOTICED THE BROKEN COIL SPRING. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING BECAUSE I HAD AN OLDER TAURUS THAT FORD HAD RECALLED FOR THE DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. ALL THE FORD GARAGES SAID THAT THEIR COMPUTERS WERE DOWN & I WOULD HAVE TO CALL THEM BACK. I CONTACTED THE GARAGE AT THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FOR A REPAIR & THEY CHECKED WITH FORD & SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT YEAR. I GOT THE FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STRUT THAT WAS BROKEN IN THE PROCESS OF THE SPRING BREAKING & AS THE DEALER WAS CHECKING THE CAR THEY SAID THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THAT ALONG WITH THE STRUT. I HAVE TALKED TO A FEW OTHER TAURUS OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ALSO. WHY HAS FORD NEVER FIXED THIS PROBLEM? IS IT GOING TO TAKE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING FATALLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. WHEN TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE FRONT SPRING COIL FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,639. UPDATE 05/13/08 *BF

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY ALLEY I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE CAR DROPPED DOWN A FEW INCHES AND BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING/RUBBING NOISES. I CAREFULLY PULLED BACK INTO MY DRIVE AND AFTER JACKING UP THE CAR FOUND THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. IT DID NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE BUT BROKE SOME SORT OF LINK. *TR

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY RAPID RELEASE OF AIR FROM MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND THAT THE PROTRUDING SHARP END HAD REACHED OUT AND SNAGGED THE TIRE RIPPING A GASH 16 INCHES LONG IN THE INNER SIDEWALL. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE WILL BE REQUIRED. SPRING WHICH FAILED SHOWED RUST PENETRATION AT POINT OF FAILURE TO BE ABOUT 30% OF THE CROSS SECTION OF THE SPRING WIRE DIAMETER. THE PAINTED COATING ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE AT THE POINT OF BREAKAGE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SURFACE RUST ON THE SPRINT IN THAT AREA. THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS ON OTHER AREAS OF THE PAINTED COATING THAT CORROSION IS PRESENT UNDER THE COATING. I HAVE BOTH PARTS OF THE BROKEN SPRING IN MY POSSESSION. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY PUNCTURING MY TIRE AND REQUIRING APPROXIMATELY $ 1,000.00 TO REPAIR. I HAD IT REPAIRED ON THE DAY IT HAPPENED, A SUNDAY, AND IT HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY 2002 TAURUS BUT THERE IS ON THE 2001 TAURUS. MAKES NO SENSE. THE PROBLEM WITH THE COILSPRINGS IS STILL A PROBLEM FOR LATER MODELS. *TR

FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON ITS TAURUS THAT ENDED WITH 2001 MODELS. THE NHTSA ACTION # IS PE04044. IT DESCRIBES FAILING COIL SPRINGS THAT CAN CAUSE TIRES TO BE TORN UP. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN NOW TO MY 2002. THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND BEING LOADED WITH SOME THINGS MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKING BACK TO COLLEGE AFTER THE WEEKEND. THERE WAS A "BANG" WE HEARD WHOSE SOURCE WAS UNDETERMINED. WHEN SHE BEGAN TO BACK OUT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON INSPECTION THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PIERCED THE TIRE. THIS WEBSITE OUTLINES MANY SIMILAR CASES INVOLVING ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE CAR. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML I'VE UNDERSTOOD FORD WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY SATISFACTION TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS. AS IT IS SUNDAY I HAVE NO REPAIR OPTIONS AVAILABLE, BUT THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED AND A TIRE AND AT LEAST THE SPRING WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. BASED ON THE RESPONSES IN THE ABOVE WEB PAGE COSTS COULD GO BEYOND $1,000. *TR

WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, IMMEDIATELY UPON PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING MY TIRE. THE CAR WAS REQUIRED TO BE TOWED AND I AM NOW PAYING FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR TO HAVE THE SPRINGS REPLACED INCLUDING STRUTS AND BEARINGS IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE TIRE. THIS IS A RECALLED ITEM IN THE 2001 TAURUS AND FORD HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED THE 2002. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, SHE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDECOIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. AS OF APRIL 14, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V332000) HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,350.

ON 3/12/2008 CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG .TIRE WENT FLAT. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SPRING WAS BROKEN . IT IS A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES. FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE, RESULTING IN A PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE. LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 660.00 AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR NEW SPRINGS AND A TIRE. INSTEAD I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED 2 FRONT COIL SPRINGS, 2 FRONT STRUTS, ONE WHICH WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, NEW WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND ONE FRONT TIRE. TOTAL 850.00. *TR

WATER LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FLOOR AREA WHEN IT RAINS. PADDING IS NOW GROWING MOLD. *TR