54 of the
1,759 complaints about the 2002 Ford Taurus are about the
body and structure — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
62,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WAS LOOSENING ON THE UPPER PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OUT OF THE MOLDING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #11233130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesFarmington, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WILL FREEZE UP ON PARTICULARLY COLD DAYS, AND THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY SHUT ONCE IT HAS BEEN OPENED. CONSEQUENTLY, THE DOOR HAS TO BE TIED SHUT, OR IT HAS TO BE HELD ON TO. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL "SURE" FIXES FOR THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE WEATHER WARMS UP, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY... UNTIL THE NEXT COLD SNAP. IT IS NOT COLD OUT RIGHT NOW, SO I CAN'T DOCUMENT THIS WITH A PHOTOGRAPH. INCIDENTALLY, ALL OF THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES TEND TO STAY IN THE "OPEN" POSITION ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN LIFTED. WE TEND TO GET IN THE HABIT OF PUSHING THEM DOWN AFTER WE OPEN IT, BUT IT SEEMS UNSAFE TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10908146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSaint Charles, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
LOWER BODY HAS SEVER RUST. ROCKER PANELS ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF DESPITE TAKING CARE TO WASH THE CARS UNDER BODY IN THE WINTER. FLOORS ARE SOFT. UPPER BODY HAS NO RUST ISSUES. LOWER BODY I HAVE HAD TO TREAT WITH RUST PREVENTATIVE EVERY YEAR FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS. I BELIEVE THE CAR WILL BE TOO RUSTED TO DRIVE IN THE NEXT 6 TO 8 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10854270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWindham, CT
STRUCTURE:BODY
FORD IS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE A FIT PROBLEM WITH THE COWL AND AIR CABIN FILTER AREAS OF THESE CARS THAT CAUSE WATER TO LEAK ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CAUSES CARPETS TO GET MOLDY/SMELLY. THE LEAK SOMETIMES ALLOWS WATER TO SHORT/RUIN THE BLOWER MOTOR. I BELIEVE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 IS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $400 OR SO.
NHTSA complaint #10667259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesTampa, FLCrash2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 141,768 milesCoventry, RICrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS ON 4-15-2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 A.M. HE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 35 MPH. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HE TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY HITTING THE BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING REACHING THE SPEED OF ABOUT 70MPH. AS A TURN APPROACHED HE COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE HIT A CURB AND A STOP SIGN BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE ROADWAY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE WITH THAT VEHICLE AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS, THOUGH THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $6005.00 OF DAMAGE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF FIXING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ACCELERATION ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10607475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Harbor, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CLIMATE CONTROLS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10553214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Harbor, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CLIMATE CONTROLS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10553249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,100 milesLAS Cruces, NM1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
AFTER OPENNING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS, THE HOOD ABRUPTLY AND UNINTENTIONALLY DROPS, SUBJECTING THE OWNER TO SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. THERE'S NO LATCH TO MAINTAIN THE HOOD OPEN AND THE DEVICES TO SLOW THE HOOD MOVEMENT DO NOT PROPERLY OPERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10531587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesSheridan, WY
STRUCTURE
TL* 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
NHTSA complaint #10466759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,252 milesMedford, NY
STRUCTURE
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).
NHTSA complaint #10466436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,049 milesMonroe Township, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS LEATHERETTE PANEL HAD FRACTURED AND WAS HANGING FROM THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COOLER. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DON'T DO THAT TYPE OF REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,049.
NHTSA complaint #10378150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Glacier, MT
STRUCTURE
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 $600.00: $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.
NHTSA complaint #10372593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAllenton, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FORD TAURUS 2002 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH THE FRONT SUB FRAME ( ENGINE CRADLE ) BROKE AWAY DO TO CORROSION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DO TO THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE, TRANS AND FRONT HALF SHAFTS ARE HELD IN PLACE WITH ENGINE CRADLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS JUST KNOW COMING TO LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10372100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesBirdsnest, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA complaint #10359656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,400 milesAtkinson, NH
STRUCTURE
I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES, IT HAS 69,400 MILES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT IS GARAGED 90% OF THE TIME. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER CARPET WAS SOAK AND WET, AND I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT, I ASSUMED THAT MAYBE WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN, I HAD CRACKEDTHE WINDOW OPEN AND RAIN GOT INSIDE ON PASSENGER CARPET. IN MARCH OF 2010, I HAD A HOUSE SITTER, WHILE I WENT ON VACATION. I MOVED MY CAR OUTSIDE, SO THAT SHE COULD USE MY GARAGE. THE CAR SAT OUTSIDE FOR 3 WEEKS, THE NORTHEAST HAD TORRENTIAL RAINS EVERYDAY, AND AREA FLOODING ON STREETS. I HAD COME HOME FROM VACATION, DROVE MY CAR AND HEARD A NOISE CLANKING UNDER DASHBOARD. I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS MY HEATER. I HAD MY HUSBAND REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK THE OLD HEATER OUT, IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED WITH WATER STILL ON IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE HOUSESITTER HAD TAKEN MY CAR OUT AND SHE LEFT A WINDOW OPEN.NOW IT IS OCTOBER, I AM ATTENDING DRIVING INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL, AND MY TEACHER GAVE ME WEBSITE FOR RECALLS. I DECIDED TO CHECK TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS, AND FIND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, FOR HEATERS SHORTENING OUT ,I NOW HAVE NO A/C AND DON'T KNOW WHY ALONG WITH WET CARPETS ON PASSENGER SIDE L. I PRINTED OUT RECALL 03V-087000 AND TOOK TO FORD TODAY, THEY STATE THAT MY VIN HAS NO CAMPAIGN MESSAGE FOR A RECALL. RECALL#03V-087000 IS FOR CERTAIN 2002-2003 TAURUS AND SABLES. WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH THE REST OF VIN # THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE NOT INCLUDED. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY CAR IN RAIN AND GET OTHER COMPONENTS SHORT OUT, OR POSSIBLE FIRE, AND KEEP GETTING THE CARPET WET, BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE MOLD TO GROW UNDERNEATH. ALL CARS IN THIS YEAR MAKE MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED IF ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DID NOT SAVE THE OLD HEATER, BECAUSE AT THE TIME I THOUGHT MAYBE RAIN HAD GOT IN THRU THE WINDOW. PLEASE HELP, I LOVE MY CAR AND IT IS OTHERWISE A GOOD RUNNING CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10359253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesSagamore Hills, OH
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesMissoula, MT
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10334690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesStrongsville, OH
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10298949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,500 milesSikeston, MO
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10297091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesParma, OH
STRUCTURE
THE BLOWER IN MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS ALSO WATER ON THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH I SUSPECT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10290790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesGladstone, MO
STRUCTURE
WATER LEAK INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING BLOWER MOTOR. REFERENCE NTSB ITEM # 10011149 / SERVICE BULLETIN NBR 031506.
NHTSA complaint #10284665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesCarrollton, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. AFTER A HARD RAIN, WATER ACCUMULATES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER BLOWER AND AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ONLY OPERATE ON THE HIGH SETTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT BLOGGED AND DISCOVERED THE ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #10273113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,387 milesDellwood, MO
STRUCTURE
FEB. 28 I CLOSE THE TRUCK. I NOTICED JUST BELOW THE LICENSE ON THE TRUNK THE PAINT WAS BLISTERED AND PEELING OFF THE TRUNK. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE IN AUG., WHEN I CAREFULLY PUT NEW PLATES ON THE CAR. THE SURFACE IS DOWN TO THE GRAY PRIMER. I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAINTED AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10260893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesNashville, TN
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 2002 FORD TAURUS LEAKS WATER THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND GETS WATER ALL OVER MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD, SOMETIMES 1/2 AN INCH DEEP. THE LEAK HAS ALSO GOTTEN INTO MY BLOWER FAN FOR MY HEATER/AC AND CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT. THIS MAKES MY CAR VERY HUMID MAKING ALL OF THE GLASS FOG UP WHEN I AM DRIVING TO WHERE I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD. I CAN'T EVEN TURN MY DEFROSTER ON BECAUSE OF THE BLOWER FAN MOTOR THAT GOT SHORTED OUT FROM THE WATER LEAK. I USE A RAG NOW TO WIPE THE MOISTURE AWAY WITH ONE HAND AND DRIVE WITH THE OTHER. IF IT IS BELOW FREEZING, THERE WILL ACTUALLY BE A LAYER OF FROST ON THE INSIDE OF MY FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS!, WHICH IS TOUGH TO GET ALL THE WAY OFF DUE TO THE CONCAVITY OF THE GLASS. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD JUST LEFT MY WINDOW SLIGHTLY CRACKED THE FIRST FEW TIMES THERE WAS WATER ON MY FLOOR BOARD. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE WATER LEAKING IN WAS WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER IN MY CAR AND THE WATER SQUIRTED ONTO HIS FOOT AS I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY ON A CLEAR DAY. THAT MEANS THAT THE WATER COLLECTS SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AND UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AFTER A STEADY RAIN, AND WHEN THE DEGREE OF MY CAR CHANGES THE WATER COMES POURING IN. I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED. THERE WAS A STEADY STEAM OF WATER FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, ABOUT 1 1/2 CUPS OF WATER TOTAL. I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH VARYING AMOUNTS OF WATER. TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE, I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT MY MODEL OF CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2003 FOR A LOOSE WINDSHIELD MOUNT THAT COULD LET WATER LEAK IN. BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT MY VIN WASN'T UP FOR ANY RECALLS. SO, SOMEHOW MY CAR GOT LEFT OFF THE LIST OF RECALLED CARS. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT SINCE IT WASN'T IN THE COMPUTER TO BE FIXED, MEANING THEY WOULDN'T GET PAID. ALSO, MY REAR WINDSHIELD CREAKS WHEN I AM DRIVING WHICH MEANS THAT IT IS AFFECTED TOO. I AM SCARED THAT ONE DAY I WILL BE AN THE INTERSTATE AND ONE OF MY WINDSHIELDS WILL JUST FLY OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10257470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,700 milesNEW Milford, CT
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHEN THERE IS HEAVY RAIN WATER COMES INTO THE TRUNK. IT SEEMS TO PUDDLE IN THE DECK LID COVER AND WHEN I OPEN THE TRUNK LID, WATER COMES DOWN ONE OF THE TWO HINGES AND POURS INTO THE TRUNK. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REALIGNING THE TRUNK LID AND BY REPLACING THE WEATHER STRIP.
NHTSA complaint #10246256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesNEW Milford, CT
STRUCTURE
TL*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.
NHTSA complaint #10246175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
STRUCTURE
WATER LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FLOOR AREA WHEN IT RAINS. PADDING IS NOW GROWING MOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10242070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesSicklerville, NJ
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10234357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesJeffersonville, IN
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10233264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.