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.
While driving my 2002 Taurus the front driverside coil spring broke gauging the tire. I had to have the car towed and am waiting to see what the repairs will cost. I have read of many people having the same problem and Ford will not put this on recall although the 2001 model is. Hopefully, enough people will complain that we will be reimbursed for this costly and dangerous problem.
Tire punctured and flattened due to failure of left front coil spring when backing out of the driveway. Required removal of tire and repair on a Sunday. Removed and replaced both front springs and full service alignment.
2002 Ford Taurus 108,000 miles, broken front left spring 12/10/07, broken right rear spring 12/20/07, upon checking right rear, also checked left rear, broken left rear spring also, appears to have been broken for a long time. Replaced front springs and struts-$500 (labor was done by myself), replaced both rear springs ($330) labor done by myself and sway bar links on both sides, $70.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving 10 mph, the front suspension spring sheared and caused the tire to slice open. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and a new tire was purchased. The current and failure mileages were 78,000.
- Allen Park, MI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Front left spring broke without warning, puncturing tire, nicking cv boot & rubbing ABS toner. Very dangerous consequences if occurred at high speed. Repairs required new tire, replacement springs, alignment. Cannot afford cv bbot replacement & toner replacement. This is a long standing problem with Ford Taurus, but this car is not part of any recall. Previous years were recalled for this very problem. This should not occur in a car this age with only 67,000 miles. You should extend the recall to include 2002 autos.
Pulling out of driveway and heard a loud pop. Got out and discovered left front tire was flat and and the coil spring snapped in half. No corrective action has been taken yet, as it happened less than an hour ago.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud clicking noise coming from the driver side front tire. She then smelled burning rubber and pulled off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the two front coils, shield, and tires needed to be replaced. They further stated that the coil springs failed and punctured the front driver side tire. The tire was replaced. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 59,600.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While backing out of the driveway at 15 mph, the front suspension coil springs failed. The mechanic stated that both of the front coil springs were fractured and destroyed the strut mounts on the vehicle. The contact discovered the recalls on the previous year vehicles, but Ford stated that her VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle is currently in the shop, but has not yet been repaired. The transmission type and recall number were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
Spring on front driver side, fractured while driving on smooth surface in fair weather. Fractured spring completely destroyed tire and at a higher speed could have caused serious accident.
2002 Ford Taurus ses front left coil spring snapped and shredded tire. Spring is off the bottom mount and broken coil section still hanging from strut. This is the second time this has happened. Other time was front right spring while warranty was still in effect. I was moving at a slow rate of speed when a loud bang was heard, the front tire was ripped open through the inside sidewall.
The front left coil spring on my 2002 Ford Taurus fractured, puncturing and slashing the adjacent tire. The force of this coil spring fracture also shattered and separated the adjacent stabilizer control link. Upon reading similar reports of these occurrences, it is now apparent to me that all four coil springs on Ford Taurus have a propensity to fracture and slash the adjacent tire. This coil spring failure at highway speed could cause a loss of control that would be catastrophic. I am now faced with the decision of either replacing all four coil springs at my expense or replacing this vehicle with a reputably manufactured automobile.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While pulling out of the driveway he heard a popping and grinding noise. The contact noticed that the driver side front tire was flat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer they stated that the front coil spring broke and pierced the tire. The contact felt that there should be a recall for the part. The current and failure mileages were 108,000. Updated 3/5/08 updated 03/05/08
I was backing out of the driveway on 12/4/07 in, Y 2002 Ford Taurus ses when I heard a loud bang under the car. The driver side front tire blew out. When I removed it, I saw that the coil spring had broken and cut into the tire.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving in reverse at an unknown speed, the driver side front tire exploded. The vehicle was towed to the body shop and they stated that the front coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The manufacturer's public relations department stated that nothing could be done and advised the contact to call NHTSA. The current and failure mileages were 95,000. Updated 01-14-08. The consumer stated the repair shop repaired several Ford's with less mileage and same defect. Updated 01/14/08
Driver front shock and strut broke and blew the tire. Luckily I was in driveway just leaving for work had to call tow truck to bring to garage for repair being it was a 2002 vehicle the schroad was suppose to be put on the 2002 vehicle and newer, but this did not have anything on it. So tire blew, but luckily I was not going 60 miles a hour down the hwy. We still have the old parts for proof of damage.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a loud noise and the vehicle stopped. The road conditions were normal. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the passenger side front coil spring failed. The coil spring punctured the tire. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 12/27/07 the dealer stated also repaired the ab sensor assembly. Updated 12/12/07
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Westfield, IN, USA