general problems of the 2002 Ford Taurus

27 problems related to structure have been reported for the 2002 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Taurus based on all problems reported for the 2002 Taurus.

1 Structure problem

Failure Date: 10/20/2011

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the cup holder in the center of the vehicle was too shallow to hold the cup. The contact stated whenever she stopped or attempted a turn, the cup would fall out and roll under the brake or accelerator pedal. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 08-16-12.

2 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/06/2010

I purchased a used 2002 Ford Taurus two years ago. About 4 weeks ago, I was driving down of a driveway at work and heard a loud popping noise. I ended up having the car towed to a mechanic and he found both front springs broken and two shredded tires. Both of the springs were broken in exactly the same place. He had never seen anything like this. The cost of the repairs was $600. $400. 00 for the two springs and $200. 00 for the two tires. Luckily I was driving at a very slow speed when this happened and not doing 70 mph on an interstate highway. I have read dozens of consumer complaints online about the same thing happening to other owners of 2002 Taurus's but Ford has not done a recall yet. I am requesting that a recall be made and the cost of repairs be reimbursed to the owners of the cars. The recall should include the rear springs, too, as many owners have had the rear springs break also.

3 Structure problem

Failure Date: 05/15/2010

Have a 2002 Ford Taurus ses. Water leaking onto floor on passenger side, noticeable when it is raining. Two weeks later, my heater/ac will not turn on. I turn the switch on and get absolutely nothing.

4 Structure problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2010

Vehicle was running fine. Next day, no heat. I had a mechanic backflush the line after which I was able to get some(very little) heat for about 1 month just to get me through the winter. Following year, I had to have the vehicle backflushed again. Same results, but now the ac is staying on with the vent on and I have no heat any where but at the floor boards and that is very little to none. A mechanic advised me that it is the heater core and will need to be replaced. Other complaints on the heater core sound to be a result of an incident I had: when I bought this vehicle, I had a problem within 30 days of ownership where water was leaking under the hood from outside. I was charged for replacing a faulty cowlick. The dealership told me that this problem would continue to happen weekly when the car got wet if the cowlick was not replaced. When I questioned how this was possible that I had this problem and they never had to replace this part before; I was told the vehicle never got wet while in their ownership,(open lot with no garages to protect vehicles from rain). I had to pay out of pocket to have the part replaced.

5 Structure problem

Failure Date: 11/20/2009

Water leaks into the heater blower box when raining and then to the passenger side floor inside the cabin. The water has shorted out the blower motor resistor and the blower motor. This also caused rust to form on the fan, the motor and resistor pack.

6 Structure problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2009

I have a 2002 Taurus where the passenger side floor was getting sopping wet when the a/c was used. I determined the problem was back-flow through the high density foam seal that surrounds the drain spout. The drain spout goes through a hole in the firewall, and black high density foam seals between the hole and the evaporator drain spout. Because the drain spout is more or less horizontal, instead of dripping off the end of the spout, the water was flowing back along the bottom of the spout toward the firewall, then wicking through the black foam back into the passenger compartment, resulting in a soaked passenger side floor. Ford offered to remove my dash to find the problem for a cost of $800 in labor alone. This seems to me like a defect since there are thousands online having the same issue. I fell that Ford need to fix this defect for free. I do have a bumper to bumper coverage that does not cover this can of repair. I am unable to use the ac or vent without have water under the passenger side rug which gets so wet that it takes weeks to dry out. I just discovered that my wife's 2005 Taurus is having the same problem as my 2002. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

7 Structure problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2008

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. When it rains, water soaks the front passenger side of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the cawl panel. The mechanic stated that there was a bulletin related to this failure. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 49,000.

8 Structure problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2008

Every time it rains, my 2002 Ford Taurus se leaks into the right passenger floor board. Various bulletin boards, show that numerous Taurus vehicles leak. Ford should be responsible for the repair at no cost to the consumer. Leaking causes blower to malfunction and/or not operate at all. Extremely costly repair.

9 Structure problem

Failure Date: 07/04/2008

Water leaks into my 2002 Ford Taurus. After storms the passenger side floor board will be wet. Apparently the water leaks into the car and after passing through the blower box drips onto the carpet. My blower resistor failed yesterday as a result of the water pooling into the blower motor. There are numerous reports of this problem. Ford should be responsible.

10 Structure problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2008

Water leaks into passenger floor area when it rains. Padding is now growing mold.

11 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2008

I have noticed in the past few day when it has rained that a pool of water forms on the front passenger side floor. Also, yesterday, my fan for the heater/ac stopped working. I have noticed that there are several other people across the us that have encountered this same problem. The car has begun to smell of stagnant water after only a few days. Unfortunately, the weather has been extremely cold and it affects my ability to safely operate my vehicle without heat. Apparently there has already been a complaint filed with NHTSA regarding this problem (complaint # 10184014).

12 Structure problem

Failure Date: 01/22/2008

I have a 2002 Ford Taurus. On the evening of Jan. 22, 2008 my wife was leaving work when she heard a loud thump, the front of the vehicle fell downward. She was unable to steer, move forward or reverse. Having to move the vehicle, we had it towed to a near by auto repair station where it was than inspected. Needing the vehicle ASAP, the technician called that night to inform us that the drivers front coil spring broke in half and that it was wedge into the wheel. After further inspection he found that the pass front coil spring was also cracked. Needing the vehicle, I had them do the repairs which included coil springs, struts, damaged sway bar links, and bearings for a total $ 810. 84. When I picked the vehicle up I was told by the tech that the rear springs are also cracked and should be replaced ASAP. I was told by the local dealer that there was a recall on this matter but only on the 2001. Why not the 2002 and what corrections were made? it doesn't seem right that the exact same issue still occurs on the 2002 vehicle. I did contact Ford customer service for help paying for these repairs, but was told they could not help me. Thank god my wife was not driving on the highway when the spring broke and wedged in the wheel.

13 Structure problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2008

Water is leaking into the heater housing and on to the passenger floor board through the seam in the housing. We have been quoted a repair price from the Ford service center of 500. 00 plus to correct the problem. We know there is a TSB#031506 -NHTSA id#10011149 issued 8/9/04. On this problem related to recall #03v087000. Also reference complaint # 10184014. Why is this not a recall to repair this issue??? if you look at all the complaints here and on line there are hundreds of Fords with this issue and if is costly to fix.

14 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2007

When I purchased the car, the low setting on the blower motor didn't work. I had the resistor replaced, and the motor worked for a while. Then I noticed water on the passenger side floorboard. Water was entering the passenger side, behind the dashboard, through a leak near the air intake of the blower motor. The water has rusted the blower motor, causing it to blow the motor resistors and short out the motor. It has also caused water damage on the passenger side floor. I had to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the leak sealed and the blower motor replaced. I am currently waiting for the work to be done, so I don't have an idea of what it will cost yet. I will request that they return the old blower motor to me.

15 Structure problem

Failure Date: 11/23/2007

Water leaks onto the heater/ac blower motor on my 2002 Taurus. Dealership repaired at a cost, to me, of $322. 00. . Read more...

16 Structure problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2007

When it rains, water enters the vehicle on the passenger side near the blower motor. Rugs and mats on right side of car are saturated. All attempts at stopping water entry are futile.

17 Structure problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2007

Water leaks in cabin on passenger side. This will be the third time taking it in and not really being repaired properly. It is a 2002 Taurus bought brand new.

18 Structure problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2007

Occasionally, after heavy rain, the passenger side floor of my Taurus would be soaked. This went on for a few years. During the winter of 2007, the blower motor stopped functioning due to the leak. When the blower motor stopped working I was on the highway and could not defrost my windows. This was especially dangerous because of the snowy and icy conditions. Not only was I unable to defrost the inside of my windshield, but I also could not prevent ice from forming on the outside of my windshield. It was an extremely dangerous situation and I had to exit the highway. The window cowl under the windshield and various parts of the blower motor were replaced. This did stop the leak. My Taurus is a 2002, but I have seen this problem in the 2000 to 2005 models. It is unacceptable that NHTSA has not investigated this and issued a recall. It is a serious safety concern, and the issue has been known for almost a decade. Please investigate.

19 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2006

2002 se Taurus - water leaking onto the passenger side floor through the air blower. Apparently coming in through a cowl (?) during heavy rain, the passenger floor collects water dripping form under the glove box and the blower area. Ford company told me this is my problem and not theirs. . . How do I get them to take my complaint to heart. This should be reviewed by Ford as a defect. This is my 4th Ford and I have had enough!.

20 Structure problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2006

Recurring problem with 2002 Ford Taurus leaking water through cabin air intake. Results in puddles on passenger-side floorboard and ruined blower motor. Needed to replace blower motor and spray for mold in the carpet.

21 Structure problem

Failure Date: 06/25/2006

I discovered a puddle of water in the passenger side floor, and shortly after that the blower motor started malfunctioning. Now the motor doesn't work at all and I have no a/c and no defrost. My windshield fogs up all the time and causes me to have to pull over. This is the most unsafe car I have ever owned.

22 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/25/2005

Component: electrical system details: heater blower resistor blew from water injection from cowl from windshield. Mechanic stated that cowl was problem. Permitted water to get into blower resistor. Blower resistor was irreparable. Replacement of cowl and blower resistor costs 325. 00. Cause: defective cowl. Result: replacement of both cowl and blower motor. $325. 00.

23 Structure problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2005

Water leaks into passenger compartment and fills blower motor with water during rain . This causes the blower motor to fail , which causes the defrost function to stop working. Lack of visibility.

24 Structure problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2005

Blower of heat and defroster on my 2002 Ford Taurus ses failed. Due to failure, was unable to have windshield defrosted until problem was fixed for over $300. 00. Motor failed due to defective drainage around windshield which caused water to get in blower motor and destroy it.

25 Structure problem

Failure Date: 12/04/2004

I have a water leak in the cabin of my 2002 Ford Taurus. Ford acknowledged this problem and is conducting a silent recall. But no formal recall. This can be found on the web in numerous articles. Now I am experiencing electrical problems and I had to replace the blower motor assy.

26 Structure problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2004

The consumer stated that water was getting into the blow motor. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and contacted the manufacturer ,and they were aware of the defect, but were not willing to assist the consumer.

27 Structure problem

Failure Date: 03/25/2003

Water leaked through the windshield when rained. The dealer was notified.


Other Structure related problems of the 2002 Ford Taurus


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Fuel Economy of Taurus Vehicles
Taurus Service Bulletins
Taurus Safety Recalls
Taurus Defect Investigations