MYRModel Year Report

2002 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,426
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

76% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 1,426 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 1,426 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 1,426 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

2002: 1,426 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
201744
201847
201915

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

76% · 1,090 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 MPH the contact heard a loud popping sound and noticed the drivers side tire was flat. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and it crashed into a curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-02

Visibility

7% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing windshield and fan/motor.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

5% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On 14 oct 2017, the subject vehicle had just been serviced. On the drive home, the throttle cable became stuck causing the car to not stop accelerating.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-28

This vehicle was owned by my mom when this incident occurred. She was entering her garage when the vehicle began accelerating uncontrollably and went through her garage door and wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-13

My daughter was pulling into a parking space, she applied the brakes, the car lunged ahead and hit the building. The passenger air bag deployed and not the drivers air bag. She had her seat belt on and hit the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

Also filed under Air bags and service brakes, hydraulic

Engine and engine cooling

4% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing engine and fan.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling at normal speed and without any indication vehicle stalled. Consumer depressed brakes and tried to turn steering wheel, but vehicle would not respond, resulting in a car crash. Dealer has been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-23

While pumping fuel into vehicle with engine off a fire started in engine compartment. Local fire departmentarrived and extinguished the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-11-08

Structure

4% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 1,426 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2002-09-13Service brakes, hydraulic02V266000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-03-31Visibility03V087000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-10-23Recall queryClosed 2004-03-05 Brake light switch failure
  5. I
    2003-10-31RPClosed 2004-03-23 Brake/accelerator pedal application
  6. R
    2004-04-05Exterior lighting04V106000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2008-08-28Engineering analysisClosed 2011-06-30 Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
  8. I
    2012-10-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-06-26 Speed control cable damage
  9. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598,...

    Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 1,090 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 102 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 77 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V266000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 03V087000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V106000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 76% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.