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2002 Ford Taurus
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 Ford Taurus, covering exterior lighting, visibility and service brakes, hydraulic, and 1,421 consumer complaints received since 2001.
The component named most often is suspension: 621.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 80.9 per 1,000 across all 2002 model-year vehicles and against 146 per 1,000 for the Ford Taurus line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 438.0 complaints per model year across the 39 Ford Taurus model years on this register; 74 complaints reported a crash and 11 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2008 (245); the most recent in the file is dated 1 Feb 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 4 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 24 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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 cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
Consequence: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
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. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 04S12).
Defect, as filed: 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 noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Consequence: Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford/mercury at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 03C03).
Defect, as filed: 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 application of both the brake and accelerator pedals could result in an increase in engine RPM.
Consequence: This could result in a customer experiencing an "unintended vehicle speed increase" or a perceived "unable to stop" condition.
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 spacing is found to be less than 50 mm, the dealer will adjust the pedals to increase the distance between them to greater than 50 mm. Owner notification began october 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 02S40).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2002 Ford Taurus (black) against all 2002 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2002 | Taurus line | All 2002 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 621.7 | 146 | 80.9 |
| Visibility | 57.7 | 45.8 | 39.7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 44 | 92 | 39.4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 32 | 144.3 | 103.2 |
| Structure | 30.3 | 46.5 | 61.3 |
| Air Bags | 28.6 | 37.6 | 72.5 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1,088 | 621.7 | 146 | 80.9 |
| Visibility | 101 | 57.7 | 45.8 | 39.7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 77 | 44 | 92 | 39.4 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 56 | 32 | 144.3 | 103.2 |
| Structure | 53 | 30.3 | 46.5 | 61.3 |
| Air Bags | 50 | 28.6 | 37.6 | 72.5 |
| Electrical System | 42 | 24 | 70.8 | 94.1 |
| Power Train | 38 | 21.7 | 131.5 | 121 |
| Tires | 38 | 21.7 | 17.4 | 25.1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 34 | 19.4 | 54.8 | 78.7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 27 | 15.4 | 27.2 | 33.6 |
| Equipment | 26 | 14.9 | 14.2 | 18.7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 19 | 10.9 | 23.1 | 33.1 |
| Steering | 18 | 10.3 | 49 | 39.2 |
| Unknown or Other | 16 | 9.1 | 17.9 | 18.9 |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 8 | 24 | 17.8 |
| Wheels | 11 | 6.3 | 4.8 | 11.6 |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 24.3 |
| Engine | 8 | 4.6 | 14.1 | 21.5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | 4 | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| Seats | 3 | 1.7 | 5.9 | 12 |
| Child Seat | 3 | 1.7 | 1 | 1.2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 2 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 6.1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.5 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 4.6 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0.2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 3.7 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 2.5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 | 0.6 | 5.4 | 11.6 |
1,421 unique complaints, 1,750 component mentions; 44 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE12033 | Preliminary evaluation | Speed control cable damage | vehicle speed control:cables | 24 Oct 2012 | 26 Jun 2013 | — |
| EA08018 | Engineering analysis | Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture | suspension:front:springs:coil springs | 28 Aug 2008 | 30 Jun 2011 | — |
| RP03001 | Recall petition | BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION | service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages | 31 Oct 2003 | 23 Mar 2004 | — |
| RQ03008 | Recall query | BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE | exterior lighting:brake lights | 23 Oct 2003 | 5 Mar 2004 | 04V106000 |
Other Ford Taurus model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1981 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1983 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1984 NHTSA | 0 | 4 | — |
| 1985 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1986 | 8 | 101 | 8,923,200 |
| 1987 | 8 | 255 | 8,919,345 |
| 1988 | 5 | 333 | 5,564,000 |
| 1989 | 5 | 562 | 4,519,000 |
| 1990 | 6 | 381 | 4,245,112 |
| 1991 | 4 | 649 | 3,888,700 |
| 1992 | 5 | 681 | 3,640,200 |
| 1993 | 6 | 1,557 | 3,772,112 |
| 1994 | 4 | 923 | 3,490,900 |
| 1995 | 5 | 1,205 | 3,681,660 |
| 1996 | 6 | 825 | 561,600 |
| 1997 | 3 | 769 | 711,800 |
| 1998 | 2 | 544 | 578,800 |
| 1999 | 5 | 871 | 939,166 |
| 2000 | 8 | 1,189 | 3,716,463 |
| 2001 | 9 | 1,030 | 3,980,991 |
| 2002 | 3 | 1,421 | 1,376,297 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1,205 | 1,406,609 |
| 2004 | 1 | 365 | 24,277 |
| 2005 | 0 | 752 | — |
| 2006 | 2 | 304 | 199,961 |
| 2007 | 0 | 140 | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 158 | 695 |
| 2009 | 0 | 56 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 163 | 379,009 |
| 2011 | 4 | 133 | 772,632 |
| 2012 | 5 | 54 | 775,669 |
| 2013 | 9 | 258 | 1,548,116 |
| 2014 | 5 | 98 | 570,971 |
| 2015 | 6 | 63 | 1,760,319 |
| 2016 | 4 | 11 | 1,762,969 |
| 2017 | 4 | 10 | 315,504 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 | 1,763,906 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 1,550,599 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Taurus model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 04V106000, was reported to NHTSA on 2 Mar 2004 and concerns exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Across all model years the Ford Taurus line has 69 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2002 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 4 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2002 Ford Taurus complain about most?
Suspension: 1088 of 1750 component mentions (621.7 per 1,000). Next is visibility with 101. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 24 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 24 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.