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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 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Mar 082007

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,253 miles

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

- the contact called regarding the 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated the rear coil springs failed. There were no warning indicators. The contact had not driven the vehicle for a few days when she noticed the rear of the vehicle was sagging. The failure mileage was 83,253. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local mechanic, and the vehicle was diagnosed as the rear springs needed to be replaced. Update 4/9

- East Jordan, MI, USA

problem #24

Jan 302007

Taurus

  • miles
A few days ago I got into my 2002 Ford Taurus and heard a twanging sound, not knowing what it was, I started the car, put it in reverse and my front drivers side tire went completely flat, what had happened is that the spring had broke, punctured my tire, and when I went in reverse, ripped a six inch hole in my tire. I had the car towed to the Ford dealership for repair. The original estimate for this repair was $390. Then yesterday, they called me to tell me that the back two springs were broken as well. This seems odd to me that three of four springs should all be broken at the same time, and pose a very serious safety hazard. If I had been driving down the highway and three springs had broke, I could be in very critical condition. The total of the repairs to replace all four springs came to about $550. Plus the cost of the tire under warranty which was about 12 dollars for the service charge.

- Warsaw, IN, USA

problem #23

Dec 282006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,368 miles
We have a 2002 Ford Taurus with aprox 45,000 miles. As my family was getting ready to enter the car we heard a loud "boom". the back end of the car seemed to be a bit lower than usual. As we tried to drive it out of the driveway there was a large amount of rubbing so we parked the car and called our local dealership. Today the mechanic let us know that the rear coil springs and struts are broken. This is a family car that is driven locally and has only a little over 45,000 miles on it. I see no reason for this failure whatsoever. This is the 3rd Ford vehicle between our family and my parents family that has had this happen with springs, struts and/or suspension bar. Fortunately all three times it happened before we were out on the highway. Ford is well aware of the problem. My father worked for Ford for 40 years and I can tell you the faulty parts are or were coming right out of monroe, Michigan. They know this yet keep using the parts. You would think after the recall on models up to 2001 that they would correct the problem but they have not. Is it going to take a death and lawsuit to keep Ford from brushing this under the carpet? there are complaints all over the internet from people with 2002 models and up having the coils and springs failing on both the front and rear of their vehicles. I truly hope that Ford will be forced to correct this problem once and for all. It is a truly dangerous situation. I fear for my safety and my children's safety.

- Clyde, OH, USA

problem #22

Dec 122006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,588 miles

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

Backed out of garage and both rear springs broke. No tire puncture so drove to dealer. Springs not covered under recall. Had both front springs replaced because they broke in May. Dealer replacing springs at my cost.

- St. Louis, MI, USA

problem #21

Sep 092006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Broken rear coil spring.

- Fayetteville, NY, USA

problem #20

Oct 222006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,400 miles
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus and have already had the right rear coil spring replaced because it broke. Today while sitting in my driveway the left front coil spring broke. I will now have to have this replaced also.

- Milan, MI, USA

problem #19

Oct 102006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

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

Front and rear coil springs, 2002 Taurus. One broke in April, 2006, slashing the left front tire. Discovered that right rear was broken today during routine maintenance.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #18

Aug 172006

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
2002 Ford Taurus coils broke and punctured the tire and consumer would like reimbursement for repairs. The year before the problem with the coils, the dealer replaced the front stabilizer limb and strut connection. The consumer was informed by the manufacturer that there was no recall on his make and year, therefore, there was no defect.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 142006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,385 miles
While exiting the driveway, front driver side tire went flat accompanied by a loud noise. The vehicle was moved to an independent repair shop (via flatbed truck) that found the coil spring & strut for that location & the right rear coil spring had fractured. The broken front spring ripped through the sidewall of the tire. Both springs were replaced, along with the strut & tire. There is a NHTSA recall, #04V332000 regarding the front springs; however this vehicle isn't included in the recall due to it's VIN.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #16

May 172006

Taurus

  • 54,008 miles
The right rear coil spring in the consumer's 2002 Ford Taurus became rotten and broke and punctured the tire. The consumer is aware of a recall on the Mercury Sable and believes his vehicle should be included in the recall. The consumer contacted the manufacturer for reimbursement but they refused to cover the cost of repair.

- Broadalbin, NY, USA

problem #15

Jun 162006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

: the contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, the front driver side tire went flat. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop that determined the coil spring in that location and the rear passenger spring had fractured. Both coil springs were replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V332000, regarding the front coil springs; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #14

Jun 022006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,100 miles
: the contact stated twice while driving 40 mph the rear passenger side coil spring caused the tire to blow out. Upon inspection the dealership determined the rear coil springs needed replaced. After replacing the rear coil springs a noise came from the rear of the vehicle. After the dealer replaced the rear shocks the noise went away. The alternator was replaced. Updated 07/05/06.

- Andover, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jun 092006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
I made a corner and heard a rubbing then a loud pop. The rear spring broke and stabbed the rear tire making it blow out. The car jerked hard but was able to keep control. The spring is sticking out about two inches hitting the side wall of the tie.

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #12

May 172006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles
Broken rear coil spring on my 2002 Ford Taurus.

- Maidstone, 00, USA

problem #11

May 152006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,092 miles
: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it was determined the left rear tire was flat. Upon initial inspection, the left rear coil spring was fractured and pointing toward the tire. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #10

Mar 092006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
: the contact stated while regular maintenance was performed on the vehicle, the independent repair shop determined the rear coil springs had fractured and need to be replaced.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #9

Mar 022006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,350 miles
(1) was exiting driveway at low speed. (2) right rear coil spring fractured and punctured tire side wall causing rapid deflation. Due to low speed their was no loss of control. (3) right and left rear springs, struts and tires replaced old parts not available.

- Raritan, NJ, USA

problem #8

Apr 192006

Taurus

  • miles
2002 Ford Taurus: Failed pa state inspection in April 2006 due to both rear coil springs being broken. Had to have both replaced in order to pass inspection.

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 172006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus on which the left rear coil spring fractured and punctured the left tire.

- Sussex, NJ, USA

problem #6

Feb 062006

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,233 miles
: the contact stated while pulling out of the garage a rubbing and scrapping noise was heard. It was determined by the dealer to be a front coil spring fracture on the left side. The dealer replaced both front coil springs and discovered the right rear was fractured as well. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop where both rear coil springs were replaced.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

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