FaultScore

2002 Ford Taurus electrical problems

42 of the 1,759 complaints about the 2002 Ford Taurus are about the electrical system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 71,000 miles.

B

42

Complaints

0

Crashes

4

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 32 76.2%
12V/24V/48V Battery 3 7.1%
Interior/Under Dash 3 7.1%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 1 2.4%
Starter Assembly 1 2.4%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 2.4%
Control Module 1 2.4%

Electrical System across every Ford Taurus year

1986 20 1.2%
1987 82 4.8%
1988 112 6.6%
1989 135 7.9%
1990 45 2.6%
1991 54 3.2%
1992 76 4.5%
1993 178 10.5%
1994 94 5.5%
1995 104 6.1%
1996 59 3.5%
1997 67 3.9%
1998 35 2.1%
1999 61 3.6%
2000 66 3.9%
2001 38 2.2%
2002 42 2.5%
2003 100 5.9%
2004 26 1.5%
2005 29 1.7%
2006 26 1.5%
2007 31 1.8%
2008 13 0.8%
2010 19 1.1%
2011 48 2.8%
2012 15 0.9%
2013 57 3.3%
2014 29 1.7%
2015 31 1.8%
2017 11 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Tempe, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 146,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WON'T WORK. I LOOK IT UP AND SAW A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON MY CAR. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA complaint #11066448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Saint Louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS, IT STARTED TO STALL AND AND NOT PICK UP SPEED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. IT STARTED SHAKING AND CUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP TWICE THEN IT STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY JOB. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY STATED THE COMPUTER WENT OUT IN THE CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THAT. CAN FORD GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS. NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10966166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Escondido, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER FIREWALL/FLOORBOARD AREA WHICH CAUSES FAN BLOWER MOTOR, HEATER COIL AND ALL RELATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS/COMPONENTS ATTACHED. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME STATIC OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #10818555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 182,606 miles Wichata, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF, THE BRAKE LAMPS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,606 UPDATED 02/05/16

NHTSA complaint #10781109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Tabernacle, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRES HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRES WERE ALSO MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10563437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Winnetka, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER TO POWER WINDOWS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COME BACK OR NOT AT ALL, UNTIL NEXT START. TRY TO RESTART SAME OUTCOME, AT LEAST IT DRIVES. PROBLEM IS IF YOUR WINDOWS ARE DOWN CAN'T RAISED THEM. LIVE IN CALIFORNIA FORTUNATELY VERY LITTLE RAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10548549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles ST. Louis Park, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I LOOKED UP MY CAR RECALLS AND THERE WHERE 3 AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WEBSITE IS WRONG AND THERE IS NO RECALLS. EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR IS ON THE RECALLS. I JUST NEED TO KNOWN WHAT TO DO NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10510054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Burke, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THE FORD TAURUSES WHERE THE HEATER JUST STOPS WORKING. EACH TIME IT STOPS WORKING IT SEEMS TO COST OVER 2,000.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE ACTUATOR MOTOR, THE HEATER CORE, AND THE BLOWER DOOR ALL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED. EVEN AFTER REPAIR IT SEEMS THAT IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR BEFORE IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN. JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. WE HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER SYSTEM 3 TIMES AND IT JUST DID IT AGAIN. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WITH MANY OF THE FORD PRODUCTS THAT USE THE HEATER SET UP LIKE THE TAURUS. IT MAY ALSO INCLUDE THE FOR F150 TRUCK WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10490434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Dearborn, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER MY CAR WAS OUT OF ITS 3,000 MILE USED CAR WARRANTY, WHEN CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED THE HORN BEGAN TO GO OFF ANYTIME ANYWHERE - UP TO 5-6 TIMES A DAY. WHY IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID WAKING OURSELVES AND NEIGHBORS UP AT NIGHT OR HAVING CAR ALARM GO OFF MULTIPLE TIMES DURING DAY AT WORK WAS TO HAVE A FORD TECH DISCONNECT THE HORN! I DID SO AFTER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR MANY MONTHS - AND NOW, WITH HORN OFF, IT STILL CONTINUES (LIGHTS BLINK AND FLASH), JUST NOISELESSLY. INCREDIBLE! ONLY WORKAROUND BESIDES DISCONNECTING HORN WAS TO LEAVE THE CAR UNLOCKED - NOT AN OPTION.

NHTSA complaint #10475416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Bells, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMING OFF AN ON RAMP ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT REACHED 85 MPH BEFORE I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AGAIN, SO I SHUT IT OFF AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10458061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Cinncinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE, AT TIMES, WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. SM.

NHTSA complaint #10413916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Maple Shade, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE ACTIVATED ON FIVE OCCASIONS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE DE-ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10405871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,400 miles Atkinson, NH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 69,000 miles Gladstone, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 90,000 miles Parkersburg, WV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH SHORTENS THE CIRCUIT IN THE FLOORBOARD. SECONDLY, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). FINALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BALL JOINTS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO FAIL. THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10252101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Hammond, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WATER HAS BEEN ENTERING INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR FROM THE COWL UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE MOTOR TO SHORT OUT AND STOP RUNNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF TSB NUMBER 0415-3 FOR THE SAME FAILURE; HOWEVER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE BESIDES SELL THE CONTACT A NEW MOTOR. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000. UPDATED 01/14/09.

NHTSA complaint #10251200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Waseca, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAD A WATER LEAK IN THE AC/HEATER BLOWER DURING RAIN STORMS. THE DEALER FIXED THE LEAK BUT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR TWICE. MY BLOWER QUIT RUNNING AGAIN TODAY. MOTOR AND RESISTOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10239491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,237 miles Seabrook, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SWITCHING DEVICES CONTINUE TO BE UNDER RATED WHICH RESULTS IN RANDOM VOLTAGE DROPS AND ENGINE STALLS. THE UNDERRATED SWITCHING DEVICE CONTACTS OVERHEAT WHICH RESULTS IN HIGH RESISTANCE WHICH RESULTS IN HIGHER HEAT WITH RESULTS IN HIGH RESISTANCE UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE RESULTS DROPS VOLTAGES BELOW WHAT IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE DOWNSTREAM LOAD. THESE DOWN STREAM LOAD TYPICALLY ARE THE HEAD LIGHTS AND COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPPLYING POWER TO THE SPARK PLUGS. ONCE THE DOWNSTREAM DEVICE TURN OFF FROM LOW VOLTAGE THE SWITCHING DEVICE COOLS AND RESUPPLIES THE DOWNSTREAM LOAD WITH ENOUGH VOLTAGE AN CURRENT TO REACTIVE THE DEVICE IN VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME RANGING FROM INSTANTANEOUSLY TO SEVER MINUTES. I FIST NOTICED THE PROBLEM YEARS AGO IN A 1987 MUSTANG AND THEN SAW IT AGAIN TONIGHT IN A 2002 TAURUS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. UNTIL THE FAILED SWITCHING DEVICE IS REPLACED THE FREQUENCY OF FAILS AND THE DURATION WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MATERIALS FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS HAS HAD TO HAVE RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN CRASHES AND / OR DEATHS IF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED SINCE I FIRST NOTICED IN THE 1987 MUSTANG.

NHTSA complaint #10236193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,514 miles Plainfield, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK THAT COMES FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER. IT ALSO LEAKS TO THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I FELT A SHOCK! I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM UNTIL MY BLOWER WENT OUT AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS DEFECT. I DID GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A RESISTER PART. THE BLOWER AND OTHER PARTS RAN THE BILL UP TO $400. PLEASE CAN SOMETHING BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10230555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Mebane, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE THEFT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,353 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #10227050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,100 miles Ticonderoga,, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ON A RECENT TRIP TO N. CAROLINA WE NOTICED AN ODOR LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING IN OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS SES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE A/C BLOWER WOULD ONLY WORK ON THE HIGHEST SPEED AND WE COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. WE HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP IN N.C. THEY HAD TO REPLACE A RESISTOR AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS WE HAVE FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR CARPET WET AFTER A RAINSTORM. WE DIDN'T NOTICE THIS OFTEN BECAUSE THE CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE WATER LEAK CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SHORT THE FIRST TIME IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT FORD MOTOR CO. WOULD WANT TO REPAIR THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. A FIRE COULD VERY WELL HAVE STARTED IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. OR WILL FORD WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS HURT?

NHTSA complaint #10205818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,100 miles Schenectady, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I'VE NOTICED ON A FEW OCCASIONS THAT MY PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WOULD BE WET; MY FAN BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING; I WENT TO A LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE IT FIXED AND WHEN I LEFT I REALIZED THAT THE FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. I CALLED THE GARAGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT I WILL NOW NEED A RESISTOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10202044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenosha, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY I SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING (ELECTRIC WIRES ETC.) THEN THE BLOWER MOTER STARTTED RATTALING AND RUNNING AT VERY LOW SPEED. THEN I TURNED OFF THE AC BLOWER MOTOR. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT WATER LEAK IN THE DASH BOARD HAVE CAUSED OTHER MOTOR BLOWERS TO GO BAD. I SUSPECT THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVEN'T CHECKED IT FURTHER YET. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS COULD CASUE FIRE. BUT I AM KEEPING MY BLOWER MOTOR TURN OFF. BURNING SMELL WAS VERY STRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10201879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Grand Rapids, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 01/022/07 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING WARMING UP WITH A BLOCK HEATER, THE CONTACT HEARD POPPING NOISES, WENT TO CHECK ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED THE CAR PORT, HIS MOBILE HOME AND ALL THE CONTENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10182759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Rockville, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BRAKE SWITCH AND STOP LAMP DID NOT WORK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND SOMETIMES DID NOT TURN OFF MECHANICALLY. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED FOR MANY HOURS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE PROBLEM WAS LINKED TO THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARKING TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE GEAR TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10166580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,100 miles Andover, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWICE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS A NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/05/06.

NHTSA complaint #10159991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Kirkville, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

HEATER BLOWER ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND ONLY ON HIGH!

NHTSA complaint #10153685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sagamore Hills, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD TAURUS SPORT EDITION USED IN JULY OF 2005. SEVERAL TIMES THE DOME LIGHTS AND PUDDLE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF BECAUSE THE CAR THOUGHT THAT A DOOR WAS OPEN. THERE WERE NO DOORS OPEN. THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AFTER 20 MINUTES, BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM. IF IT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH IT COULD RUN DOWN MY BATTERY. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED AND THIS TIME I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE AROUND FOR A MINUTE AND THE DOME LIGHTS FINALLY WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. HOWEVER THE DOOR AJAR WARNING WAS STILL ON. SO I GOT HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT AND THEN THE DOME AND PUDDLE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON NOW AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO COME ON IS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE. I AM ALMOST POSITIVE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND ODDLY ENOUGH NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WONT WORK EITHER AND THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED BEFORE. THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED OR AT LEAST DIAGNOSED BY FORD AT NO CHARGE. I'M ONLY 16 AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAN BE VERY PRICEY AND AFTER I PAY MY CAR PAYMENT AND INSURANCE (MIND YOU IM 16 SO MY INSURANCE IS HIGH) I HARDLY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR GAS LET ALONE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10152354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,000 miles Billerica, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR BLEW FROM WATER INJECTION FROM COWL CAUSING BLOWER MOTOR TO ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10146635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 2002 Ford Taurus report