FaultScore

2002 Ford Taurus window and wiper problems

104 of the 1,759 complaints about the 2002 Ford Taurus are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 59,400 miles.

A

104

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield 31 29.8%
Fan/Motor 27 26.0%
Visibility 21 20.2%
Heater Core 7 6.7%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 4 3.8%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 4 3.8%
Motor 3 2.9%
Switch/Wiring 2 1.9%
Visibility/Wiper 2 1.9%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 1 1.0%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Taurus year

1987 13 1.3%
1988 11 1.1%
1989 14 1.4%
1990 26 2.6%
1991 23 2.3%
1992 44 4.3%
1993 167 16.4%
1994 36 3.5%
1995 48 4.7%
1996 61 6.0%
1997 60 5.9%
1998 17 1.7%
1999 64 6.3%
2000 50 4.9%
2001 41 4.0%
2002 104 10.2%
2003 211 20.8%
2004 13 1.3%
2005 13 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 129,000 miles Duluth, GA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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 150,000 miles Windham, CT

VISIBILITY

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 171,000 miles Roseville, MI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA complaint #10628080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Winston-Salem, NC

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V087000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE RECALL, IN WHICH THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS RETAINING WATER AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10554114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Burke, VA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 29,000 miles North Bergen, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

SINCE I BOUGHT MY FORD IN JULY 2003 I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY WINDSHIELD BEING DEFECTIVE, THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF HAS LITTLE CHIPS IN IT (A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE GLASS) AND I'VE ALWAYS COMPLAINED TO MY FORD DEALER ABOUT HIGHWAY NOISE. 9 YEARS LATER THE "NOISE" HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I'M AFRAID THAT IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH THAT MY WINDSHIELD WILL FALL OUT! ALSO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAD TO STUFF TISSUES TO REDUCE THE RATTLING OF MY WINDSHIELD. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON RECALLS FOR MY CAR I'VE FOUND ONE RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING ALL THESE YEARS. PLEASE TELL ME THAT I CAN STILL HAVE MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED. IT'S COMING TO THE POINT THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. FORD RECALL NUMBER 03C03, DATED MARCH 03, 2003 FROM NHTSA. THESE RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT IN MARCH ON 2003, I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM FORD IN JULY 2003! . THE WEBSITE THAT I HAD FOUND THIS INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/DOCUMENTLIST.XHTML?DOCID=03V087&DOCTYPE=RCL

NHTSA complaint #10464183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Shelby Township, MI

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS WET. THE CONTACT WAS DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE TWO FAILURES WERE RELATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #10425443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Port Wayne, IN

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING 4 NEW TIRES HE NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING THE FLAT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS IN THE GARAGE. WHEN HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK GOODYEAR WHERE THEY INFROMED HIM THE BOTH COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. UPDATED 11/16/11

NHTSA complaint #10401020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Hanover, NH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BLOWER MOTOR HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE BLOWER AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10386742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,400 miles Atkinson, NH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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 72,500 miles Cedar, UT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

2002 FORD TAURUS COWL LEAK WATER INTO PASS/SIDE FLOOR & RUG BURNING (SHORTING)OUT AC MOTOR FORD ISSUED TSB-03-15-6 RECALL EXISTED 03V087000 BOUGHT 2ND HAND FROM FORD DEALERI HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM UNTIL THE RAINS CAME IN WINTER OF 2008- 2009 WHEN BLOWER BURNED OUT.I WENT TO FORD DEALER & HE NEVER TOLD ME FORD KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM SO I HAD TO PAY FOR AC BLOWER MOTOR. I WOULD LIKE TO REF.COMPLAINT # 10184014 (YOUR NUMBER) IF FORD KNOWS THIS IS CAUSING CUST/$ WHY SHOULD THEY NOT FIX THE PRODUCT?

NHTSA complaint #10352865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Sagamore Hills, OH

VISIBILITY

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 195,000 miles Pittsville, WI

VISIBILITY

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH 225,000 MILES. ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT WINDOW GOT THIS PERFECT ROUND CRACK IT THE WINDOW THEN ALMOST SHATTERED. I DID NOT REPLACE IT YET TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10301822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Strongsville, OH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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 60,000 miles Fairborn, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD DEVELOPS A LEAK PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE HAD THE BLOWER MOTOR REPAIRED AND THE WINDSHIELD RE-SEALED BUT IS LEAKING AGAIN. WATER PUDDLES IN THE PASSENGER FLOOR. HEATER LOOSES HEAT WHEN BLOWER SPEED IS TURNED UP, THINK THIS MAY BE RELATED TO WATER ISSUE AS WELL. HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE THE WINDSHIELD IS GETTING LOOSE AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10298172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,500 miles Sikeston, MO

VISIBILITY

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 65,000 miles Portland, ME

VISIBILITY

I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND UNDERSTAND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. MY A/C BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND WAS FILLED WITH WATER WITH TRACES OF RUST. I REPLACED THE BLOWER CONTROL SWITCH, THE BLOWER RESISTOR BOARD, AND REMOVED AND REBUILT THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE AUTO PARTS STORE I BOUGHT THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS FROM (DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FORD DEALER) TELLS ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10280560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Carrollton, TX

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

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 78,345 miles Sacramento, CA

VISIBILITY

EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVY, I END UP WITH WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. THE DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR HAS SHORTED OUT THREE TIMES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS FROM FORD TAURUS OWNERS. DUE TO SOME KIND OF DEFECT,WATER GETS IN THE HEATING SYSTEM AND ENDS UP ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR. IT ALSO MAKES THE DEFROST BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10258622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Trafford, PA

VISIBILITY

REFERENCE FORD TSB #04-15-3. I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT THERE IS A RECALL #03V087000 ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT EXPIRED IN 2007, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PURCHASE A NEW MOTOR FOR $133.97, FORD PART #1F1Z-19805-AA. THIS IS EVIDENTLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE INTERNET SITE I VISITED HAD 7 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME SITUATION. THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT NOW YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY WINDOW DEFROSTERS. I AM WRITING THIS COMPLAINT MAINLY TO SEE IF FORD WON'T EXTEND THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #10258238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Jackson, TN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

2002 TAURUS CABIN LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT CAUSED MY BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. 1/29/2009 THIS COMPLAINT IS LISTED UNDER RECALL 03V087000. IT IS ALSO LISTED UNDER COMPLAINT NUMBER 10228606 . THE FORD DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE PROBLEM UNDER WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER RECALL 03V087000. THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2002 TAURUS IS 1FAHP5352G283392. I HAD THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED TODAY( JANUARY 29, 2009). THIS PROBLEM ONLY SHOWED UP AFTER I BEGAN PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE OUTSIDE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE ENTIRE COST OF $315.59 IT COSTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10256905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,400 miles Vadnais HTS, MN

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

HEATER FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGHEST SPEED ONLY. I FOUND OUT FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A CONTROL SWITCH, BUT WAS A RESISTOR NETWORK P/N F6DZ 19A706 AA. I REPLACED THE PART AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED (TEMPORARILY). SAME PROBLEM RETURNED 5 MONTHS LATER (9/26/08). MORE INQUIRING AT THE DEALER REVEALED THE PROBLEM SOURCE. WATER LEAKING THROUGH A HOLE NEAR CABIN AIR FILTER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 04-15-3 EXPLAINS THE REMEDY AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. REPLACED RESISTOR FOR SECOND TIME AND INSTALLED WEATHERSTRIP 4F1Z 54022A54 AA, AND PANEL 4F1Z 54018A16 BAA AND APPLIED SILICONE SEALANT IN THE LEAK HOLE. DID NOT REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING. NOW 1/25/09 THE RESISTOR FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME. WILL BE REPLACING THE RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR SINCE IT APPEARS THE BLOWER IS SHORTED AND IS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURE OF THE RESISTOR NETWORK. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALER WB LINCOLN MERCURY THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, BUT IT APPARENTLY WAS NOT CLASSIFIED AS SUCH. ONE FORD TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH AT THIS DEALER SAID HE HAD REPAIRED ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THESE SAME DEFECTS HIMSELF. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000.

NHTSA complaint #10256475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,400 miles Vadnais HTS, MN

VISIBILITY

HEATER FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGHEST SPEED ONLY. I FOUND OUT FROM A SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A CONTROL SWITCH, BUT WAS A RESISTOR NETWORK P/N F6DZ 19A706 AA. I REPLACED THE PART AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED (TEMPORARILY). SAME PROBLEM RETURNED 5 MONTHS LATER (9/26/08). MORE INQUIRING AT THE DEALER REVEALED THE PROBLEM SOURCE. WATER LEAKING THROUGH A HOLE NEAR CABIN AIR FILTER. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 04-15-3 EXPLAINS THE REMEDY AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. REPLACED RESISTOR FOR SECOND TIME AND INSTALLED WEATHERSTRIP 4F1Z 54022A54 AA, AND PANEL 4F1Z 54018A16 BAA AND APPLIED SILICONE SEALANT IN THE LEAK HOLE. DID NOT REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR AT THIS TIME SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE WORKING. NOW 1/25/09 THE RESISTOR FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME. WILL BE REPLACING THE RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR SINCE IT APPEARS THE BLOWER IS SHORTED AND IS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURE OF THE RESISTOR NETWORK. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALER WB LINCOLN MERCURY THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, BUT IT APPARENTLY WAS NOT CLASSIFIED AS SUCH. ONE FORD TECHNICIAN I SPOKE WITH AT THIS DEALER SAID HE HAD REPAIRED ABOUT A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THESE SAME DEFECTS HIMSELF. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000.

NHTSA complaint #10256475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Grinnell, IA

VISIBILITY

BLOWER MOTOR NOISE, AND LEAKING ON THE FIREWALL. THE LEAKING STARTED IN 2008, I HAD THE TROUGH ABOVE THE FIREWALL AND THE BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED, AND NOW THE BLOWER MOTOR MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING SOUND. MY CAR IS A 2002 FORD TAURUS SES AND IT ONLY HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED LEAKING, AND NOW ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT, WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR MAKING THESE SOUNDS. I AM FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. EXISTING RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND A SECOND COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10184014.

NHTSA complaint #10254986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Parkersburg, WV

VISIBILITY

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 70,000 miles Waterford, MI

VISIBILITY

WITH THE COLD MICHIGAN WEATHER UPON US, MY HEATER BLOWER IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE REMOVAL OF FOGGY/FROSTY WINDOWS FOR MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND OTHERS. FORD HAS HAD COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, I SPOKE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS VERY COMMON WITH THE FORD TAURUS AS WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AND SHORTS OUT THE BLOWER MOTOR. THEY SAID THIS WOULD BE A $400.00 REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10249113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Ocean Shores, WA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WHEN WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH 5,000 MILES ON IT WE WOULD HAVE ISSUES OF THE CAR STALLING WHENEVER WE TURNED ON THE HEATER TO HIGH WHILE DRIVING. WE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES AND IT NEVER GOT RESOLVED. NOW WE HAVE FOUND MOLD UNDER OUR PASSENGER SIDE CARPET AND WATER LEAKS FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND HAS GOT INTO OUR HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND FORD HAD RELEASE A T.S.B 04-15-3 ON HOW TO FIX THIS KNOWN LEAK ISSUE ON 2001-2004 FORDS. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED OVER THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER PEOPLE. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND ANOTHER PERSONS COMPLAINT #10184014.

NHTSA complaint #10248477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Brownstown, MI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE HEAT/AC CONTROL ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SUDDENLY STARTED WORKING ONLY ON THE HIGHEST SETTING, AND THE AIR IS NEITHER HOT NOR COLD. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT ALSO BECOMES DAMP AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE OR A HARD RAIN. I ALSO HAVE RUST INSIDE THE BLOWER MOTOR ITSELF, WHICH I AM SUSPECTING IS FROM THE WATER LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #10247403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Griffin, GA

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE REAR DEFROSTER, SHE NOTICED THAT NO AIR WOULD BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER BUILD UP IN THE BLOWER OF THE DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THE DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #10244873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wethersfield, CT

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

1. DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, WASHING THE CAR. 2. THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR FAILS, USUALLY WITHIN 2-3 WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT, CAUSING THE FAN TO WORK ONLY ON THE HIGHEST SPEED. BECAUSE THERE IS NO AIR CIRCULATION, WINDSHIELD FOGGING BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM ON COLD MORNINGS OR WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS. TO OVERCOME THIS THE FAN HAS TO RUN ON THE HIGHEST SPEED, BUT THEN THE NOISE INCREASES WHICH MAKES THE RIDE UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE LONG RUN. ALSO THE FAST, CONSTANT BLOWING OF AIR IS DISTRACTING AND UNPLEASANT. 3. THE RESISTOR WAS REPLACED TWICE; THIS TIME WILL ALSO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE OLD PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10243533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Ford Taurus problems

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