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2002 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Ford Taurus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Coil spring fracture damaging tire or suspension.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Ford Taurus.

Reported to NHTSA

Coil spring fracture damaging tire or suspension

SUSPENSION

57 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2020-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11328887
“FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING A BLOWOUT ON THE TIRE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11076150
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10749223

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure or loss of drive power

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2017-10

“I THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD TAURUS,THE TRAN IS CRAP,SECOND TIME REPLACEMENT,WHAT R U GOING TO DO ABOUT A RECALL.WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL.TRANS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10846445
“SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION POWER - NO SECONDARY ACTIONS CAUSED THE PROBLEM, NOR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. NO LEAKS, NO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, NO OTHER INDICATORS OF A PROBLEM. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444295

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank or fuel line leak with fumes

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2015-10

“THE CAR IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE GAS TANK I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10781452
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT IN AN AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10648361

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control cable failure causing unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

54 NHTSA complaints · 2011-08 → 2018-09

“DRIVING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH ,MY CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND SPED UP WITHOUT MY PRESSING THE GAS. I NEARLY REAR-ENDED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PRESSED ON MY BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT HELP MUCH .I DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR BUT STILL NOT MUCH HELP. FINALLY IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11073352
“WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO AN INTERSTATE(210FRWY IN LA), THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN UP TO 4000 RPM'S. THE CAR REACHED UP TO 80 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE PEDAL. I HAD TO USE THE NEUTRAL SETTING ON TRANSMISSION TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY EXIT THE BUSY HIGHWAY. AFTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10906070
“MANY 2002-2006 TAURUS VEHICLES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. BROKEN PLASTIC HOUSING FOR CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WHERE IT JOINS THROTTLE BODY. CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HANGS UP IN CRACK OF BROKEN HOUSING. VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO 60 MPH OR MORE. EXCESSIVE BRAKING TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10535413

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment or unexpected deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2014-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652036
“CAR WAS NOT MOVING, WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO TURN LEFT IN A LONG LINE OF CARS WHEN SIDE AIRBAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED FOLLOWED BY THE THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED, THOUGH DISORIENTED, DEAF AND BLIND FOR A MINUTE OR SO FROM THE EXPLOSIONS AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10499761

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

620 crashes 1990–2024

How the 620 occupant deaths break down

445

driver deaths

175

passenger deaths

620

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

77

complaints mentioning a crash

15

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Ford Taurus reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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