FaultScore

2002 Ford Taurus airbag problems

50 of the 1,759 complaints about the 2002 Ford Taurus are about the airbag system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 50,000 miles.

F

50

Complaints

45

Crashes

1

Fires

29

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 23 46.0%
AIR Bags 22 44.0%
Sensor/Control Module 2 4.0%
Side/Window 2 4.0%
Inflator Module 1 2.0%

Airbags across every Ford Taurus year

1990 43 5.1%
1991 57 6.7%
1992 50 5.9%
1993 65 7.7%
1994 42 5.0%
1995 62 7.3%
1996 46 5.4%
1997 42 5.0%
1998 39 4.6%
1999 40 4.7%
2000 90 10.6%
2001 66 7.8%
2002 50 5.9%
2003 49 5.8%
2004 21 2.5%
2005 28 3.3%
2006 21 2.5%
2008 15 1.8%
2010 11 1.3%
2013 11 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Tempe, AZ

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A MAN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AGO AND I SLOWLY STARTED TO NOTICE SOME THINGS. I STARTED OUT WITH 3 WINDOWS WORKING INSTEAD OF FOUR WHICH I WAS NOT TOLD. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T EVEN WORK AND IT STOPPED ABOUT A MOTH AGO. A WEEK BEFORE THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, MY BROTHER WAS ACTUALLLY THE ONE DRIVING WHEN THAT HAPPENED. ALSO, I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD THE WRONG BATTERY IN THE CAR SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THAT HAS DONE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #11173440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Corona, CA Crash

AIR BAGS

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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #10652036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Tampa, FL Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I AM BEING TOLD THIS THIRD PARTY AS I WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND HAVE NOT SEEN A POLICE REPORT. MY 19-YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS EXITING A MAIN ROAD SLOWING TO A STOP. SHE WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT KNOCKED HER VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER KNOCKING THAT VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. MY DAUGHTER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE RECEIVED WHIPLASH FROM THE INCIDENT AS SHE WAS FORCED BACKWARD AND FRONTWARD. SHE ALSO HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. HER SIGNIFICANT OTHER HIT HIS KNEE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH. BOTH WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS AT THE TIME. HER VEHICLE (TITLED IN MY NAME AND PURCHASED BY ME) SUSTAINED MAJOR DISABLING DAMAGE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10650234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Ripley, WV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127000.

NHTSA complaint #10578196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,500 miles ANN Arbor, MI

AIR BAGS

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 SMOKE IN THE CAR THE YELLOW AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF FOR A YEAR SO I AM GUILTY OF POOR MAINTENANCE , BUT TALKING TO MY FRIENDS I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS NOT THAT UNCOMMON AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SINCE NEXT TIME THIS EXPLOSION CAN HAPPEN TO SOMEBODY ELSE WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10499761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Preston, IA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

AT 6:30 A.M. ON 4/4/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I FELL ASLEEP ,CROSSED THE CENTER LINE, HIT A SEMI HEAD ON & MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE 2002 FORD TAURUS WAS A VEHICLE I PURCHASED NEW. THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH NO ONE IN THAT SEAT DID DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10482068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Livonia, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA complaint #10476804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 234,000 miles Gresham, NE Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON AN ICY ROAD, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND ROLLED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD, SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER STRAINS, BRUISES TO HER LEGS AND A LACERATION TO THE ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED AS BEING DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,000.

NHTSA complaint #10440013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,200 miles Natrona Heights, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN A 2002 FORD TAURUS SE WHERE SHE IMPACTED A CONCRETE BARRIER HEAD ON AND HARD ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS OWNED AND INSURED BY ME. THE WORSE OF THE IMPACT WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END. ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH NO ONE SEATED THERE, BUT HER DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THIS RESULTED IN A CONCUSSION AND FACIAL LACERATIONS AND BRUISING WHEN HER FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING SYSTEM FAILED TO ACT PROPERLY TO PROTECT HER FROM THIS INJURY. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY DON'T CARE AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS HOW IT IS DESIGNED TO WORK. SO IT'S ACCEPTABLE TO FORD THAT THEIR RESTRAINING SYSTEM ALLOWS INJURIES? I HOPE THAT SHE DOES NOT SUFFER FROM BRAIN TRAUMA AND I HOPE THAT THE WOUND HEALS WITH MINIMAL SCARING. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT INVOLVED, I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE.

NHTSA complaint #10433466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,842 miles Fairfax, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON 22 SEP 10 MY WIFE HIT A PARKED TRUCK IN A 2002 FORD TAURUS. HER CAR HIT THE RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. SHE SUFFERED A NON-DISPLACED FRACTURE OF THE STERNUM AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR APPARENTLY WENT UNDER THE TRUCK'S BUMPER. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, HOOD, WINDSHIELD AND RIGHT FRONT SIDE WERE DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10360936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arvada, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

BELTED FEMALE OCCUPANT FELT HER VEHICLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. AS A RESULT SHE STRUCK A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10244666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arvada, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BELTED FEMALE OCCUPANT FELT HER VEHICLE PULL TO THE RIGHT. AS A RESULT SHE STRUCK A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10244666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,237 miles Granbury, TX Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,237. UPDATED 04-02-08

NHTSA complaint #10219667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Erie, PA Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INSTANTLY CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HIS HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THERE IS NO CURRENT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #10201901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bruno, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

2002 FORD TAURUS SE CUSTOMER WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY**CC *JB THE CONSUMER STATED WANTED TO THE STATUS OF HIS COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #10193175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles SW City, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 54 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH BOTH VEHICLES INVOLVED WERE DESTROYED. THE CONTACTS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000. OKLAHOMA TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORT PROVIDED. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE BUT THE PHOTOS WERE DAMAGED THEMSELVES AND A MEDICAL REPORT PERTAINING TO THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 08/07/07

NHTSA complaint #10190934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,500 miles Ashland, OR

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG ERROR CODE AT 46,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10155704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn Heights, MI Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

REAR ENDED AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH FRONT SEATS, FULLY RECLINED, DRIVER SEAT BROKE, NO AIRBAGS AT ALL DEPLOYED. RESULTED IN HERNIATED DISCS FOR BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT (ONLY) PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #10145641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Saugus, MA Crash

AIR BAGS

DT: CALLER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. NO MAJOR INJURIES DUE TO AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE POLICE ON THE WRECK.

NHTSA complaint #10128476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Trujillo Alto, PR Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WITH THE FRONT PART OF THE CAR, IMPACTED THE FRONT LATERAL PART OF THE OTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED BODILY INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10112662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Trujillo Alto, PR Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

WITH THE FRONT PART OF THE CAR, IMPACTED THE FRONT LATERAL PART OF THE OTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED BODILY INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10112662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Joplin, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR NECK AND EYE INJURIES. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10105377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dimondale, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT INTERSECTION AND IT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY,BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD TRAUMA AND REFUSED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. CONSUMER WILL GO TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10103218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Columbus, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHILE BEING SLAMMED HEAD ON INTO CONCRETE MEDIAN. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS EXPECTED. INJURIES WERE KNOT ON LEFT SIDE OF HEAD FROM HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10100517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deer Park, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

TIRE SEPARATION FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE TIRES CAME AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH 2002 FORD TAURAS WAS TRAVELING ON LIE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPERATED CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY WHEEL WELL, BUMPER AND FENDER.

NHTSA complaint #10090531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMETR HIT A BUMP ON THE HIGHWAYAND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10089959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,500 miles Farmington Hills, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

I WAS TRAVELING EAST AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND STILL ACCELERATING TO THE POSTED SPEED OF 45. ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS TRAVELING WEST ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE SAME ROAD WAS STRUCK AND CAME ONTO MY SIDE OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I STRUCK THAT CAR, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10080491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Rohnert Park, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO AN ELECTRIC POST. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED HALFWAY THEN DEFLATED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10074214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Kemp, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR...11 O'CLOCK PDOF.. HIGH SPEED...DRIVERSIDE PRETENSIONER FIRED, BUT NO AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FIRED, BUT NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10058460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Kemp, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR...11 O'CLOCK PDOF.. HIGH SPEED...DRIVERSIDE PRETENSIONER FIRED, BUT NO AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FIRED, BUT NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10058460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 2002 Ford Taurus report