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...
My 2002 Ford Taurus has a broken rear coil spring. I've been told by several mechanics that this is a safety issue because if the spring pops off it could shred my tire while I'm driving. The Ford Taurus 1999-2001 has been recalled for this same issue, but the 2002 has not been. I have noticed several complaints online from other 2002 Taurus owners, that have also had the rear coil spring break on their '02 Taurus, and many of them experienced potentially dangerous situations when theirs broke.
Luckily my mechanic told me about this issue so that I didn't have to experience what so many other people had by having my wheel shredded or ripped off while driving. This is a safety issue and there's no reason the '02 shouldn't be recalled along with the earlier models that have the same problem.
Car in driveway, moved 40 feet, front suspension collapsed & blew out L/F tire. Called 4 Ford dealers for quotes.($275.00-$720.00) Towed to H L Stephens Ford & they ordered parts and repaired within 24 hrs ($248) +$125 for studded tire that was ruined.When they removed springs,r/f spring also broken. Both springs were fresh breaks. There were tiny pockets of rust revealed in the breaks (defective materials).Both springs still had the original paint on them. Ongoing problem with Taurus. Ford issued recall for 1998-2001 but would not cover this even though this unit was an early 2002 production. Thankfully I wasn't driving 65 mph on the interstate.
I had no symptoms prior to taking it in for inspection. Inspection showed it needed driver side rear strut and swaybar. Repaired it and passed it. Returned the auto to me. Not driven since returned a week ago. Until yesterday 7/26/11.
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus. Heard a rattling near the frame as I turned corners, went over bumps. Brought car in and was told the front sway bar link broke-a very common problem in Fords. So spent almost $250 to replace that. Afterward, the owner of Midas tells me that the rear springs, the front inner tie rod end, the lower ball joint and the drive belt need to be replaced-all very common problems with Ford cars! He quoted me about $800 just for the rear springs! I intend on checking around for a different price on this of course, but I will just say that this is the 1st Ford I've owned and the very last. I will let my friends, family, co-workers and everyone I come across buying looking to buy a car to stay away from Ford!
- kitkat123,
Prospect Heights, IL, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This Taurus has reinforced my decision not to buy an American made care until they start standing behind their products and fixing widespread known problems with their vehicles. I WANT to buy AMerican cars - but I just can't afford the luxury of pouring money into bad products!
I have talked to the service people that done my work and they had said that they see about 3 of these a week on the same model......and ford dont cover nothing under anything!!!! Thanks ford......my next car WONT be a ford!!!
Turning into a parking lot, my rear passenger coil snapped and punctured the tire. Had to have it towed and had to have both rear coils replaced. One of the front coils snapped on 12/8. This issue has now cost me over $2,400 plus I've had to replace 4 tires that were barely a year old! I am so discouraged that the 2002 Taurus is not included in the coil recall, it is ridiculous and so expensive!
Have had the car since NEW! Car is very well cared for w/reg. maintenance, oil changes etc. and garaged. Never been in an accident. Car only has 55000 miles and is 7 yrs.old!
left rear spring broke, gouged LR tire. Had to replace both springs being a pair, not to would invite problems down the road. Dealer says rear struts are bad also, so had to replace both! Total cost for tire, coils and struts $600.00 !!!! Always been a Ford guy, but Honda or Toyota are starting to sound real good!!!!!
Driving down the interstate the rear left strut spring broke and went through the side of my tire. As a mechanic, the repair is only $100 for the springs but a shop sure would charge alot more. This could cause a severe wreck!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Tires were hitting, discovered not one but both struts were broken.
- Raul S., Pharr, TX, US