Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Ford Taurus

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,763 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V106000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
938,789
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-02
Owners notified
2004-04-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Safety risk

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V087000

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
67,894
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-10
Owners notified
2003-03-31

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.

Safety risk

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V266000

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
369,614
Reported to NHTSA
2002-10-02
Owners notified
2002-09-13

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs40278,488 mi
Suspension: front29795,412 mi
Suspension15595,200 mi
Suspension: rear10979,557 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs8573,000 mi
Vehicle speed control65109,930 mi
Structure3362,000 mi
Tires3385,541 mi
Electrical system3271,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3160,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2749,400 mi
Air bags: frontal2337,000 mi
Air bags2250,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs2255,110 mi
Visibility2180,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2055,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1870,000 mi
Power train18120,000 mi
Unknown or other1693,662 mi
Structure: body1594,100 mi
Equipment1469,000 mi
Service brakes13115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic13105,000 mi
Steering1287,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1192,000 mi
Engine10116,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1053,123 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1024,500 mi
Exterior lighting9130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline970,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system9130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan843,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip829,950 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar779,048 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core769,000 mi
Wheels7106,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner668,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system523,840 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline421,900 mi
Seat belts: front461,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor411,047 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages4105,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut4100,473 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system491,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls435,187 mi
Child seat380,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery390 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash375,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys339,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control340,000 mi
Equipment: electrical323,840 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights3171,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump327,109 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings356,786 mi
Seat belts325,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor320,030 mi
Seat belts: rear/other320,030 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint337,174 mi
Tires: tread/belt347,266 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor36,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module212,000 mi
Air bags: side/window2—
Electronic stability control (ESC)2104,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system282,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift248,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Seats268,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Structure: body: door243,049 mi
Structure: frame and members245,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber276,800 mi
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly291,000 mi
Tires: sidewall217,993 mi
Visibility/wiper240,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring2500 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2155,108 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module1—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert124,500 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator143,100 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1118,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly115,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers132,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)135,340 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly15,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors121,900 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices127,000 mi
Interior lighting1104,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)190 mi
Power train: axle assembly1140,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly185,555 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor19,000 mi
Service brakes, electric1104,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: switch/sensor/float1233,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads15,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder144,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections163,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid124,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly160,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: bumpers115,225 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments116,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm155,235 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Vehicle speed control: cables168,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control177,850 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element145,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear176,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: rim16,000 mi

The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.