2002 Ford Taurus Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Ford Taurus has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,376,297 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,759 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 04V106000 2004-03-02 938,789 affected
Defect

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…

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.

VISIBILITY 03V087000 2003-03-10 67,894 affected
Defect

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 02V266000 2002-10-02 369,614 affected
Defect

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…

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
402
4crashes1fires2injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT
297
1crashes
SUSPENSION
155
3crashes
SUSPENSION:REAR
109
1crashes
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
85
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
65
14crashes6injuries
STRUCTURE
33
TIRES
33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
32
3fires
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
31
Total complaints1,759

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Cylinder two misfire. Replaced coil pack, wires and all spark plugs. Problem reoccurring.”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-05-07

“Cylinder two misfire. Replaced coil pack, wires and all spark plugs. Problem reoccurring.”

ENGINE · reported 2026-05-07

“Backing out of parking space resulting to damage to both vehicles . Brake\gas pedals. Position of driver ( body turned) relative to pedals while backing car can allow drivers foot to be in contact with both pedals. Increased pressure on the brake can allow increased pressure on the gas pedal…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2025-12-06

“Backing out of parking space resulting to damage to both vehicles . Brake\gas pedals. Position of driver ( body turned) relative to pedals while backing car can allow drivers foot to be in contact with both pedals. Increased pressure on the brake can allow increased pressure on the gas pedal…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2025-12-06

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that the brake light started to flash while driving however, there was no brake malfunction. The vehicle was taken to auburn automotive (500 s. Opdyke rd, waterford, mi 48328, [REDACTED]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-12-08

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that the brake light started to flash while driving however, there was no brake malfunction. The vehicle was taken to auburn automotive (500 s. Opdyke rd, waterford, mi 48328, [REDACTED]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2020-12-08

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the front and rear driver's side coil springs fractured. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contact nor…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2020-06-12

“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…”

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · reported 2019-05-31

Defect investigations

Investigation EA08018 Opened 2008-08-28 · closed 2011-06-30

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

To date, ODI is aware of 2,401 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect. In addition, ODI is aware of 1,411 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect. In total, ODI is aware of 3,645 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil…

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford…

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford…

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford…

Investigation RP03001 Opened 2003-10-31 · closed 2004-03-23

BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION

MS. RODMAN REPORTED THAT AFTER HER VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE RECALL, HER MOTHER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CRASHED THE SABLE INTO A LIGHT POLE.PREVIOUSLY NHTSA HAD CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS ISSUE (PE02-035) THAT RESULTED IN THE RECALL (02V-266) OF 369,000 MY 2000-2002 TAURUS AND SABLE…

Investigation RQ03008 Opened 2003-10-23 · closed 2004-03-05

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

FORD CONDUCTED A RECALL IN MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT A DEFECT AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2000 THROUGH EARLY-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (RECALL 01V-078).RQ03-008 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE REMEDY AND SCOPE OF 01V-078.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED…

Investigation RQ03008 Opened 2003-10-23 · closed 2004-03-05

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

FORD CONDUCTED A RECALL IN MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT A DEFECT AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2000 THROUGH EARLY-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (RECALL 01V-078).RQ03-008 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE REMEDY AND SCOPE OF 01V-078.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED…

Investigation RQ03008 Opened 2003-10-23 · closed 2004-03-05

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

FORD CONDUCTED A RECALL IN MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT A DEFECT AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2000 THROUGH EARLY-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (RECALL 01V-078).RQ03-008 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE REMEDY AND SCOPE OF 01V-078.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED…

Investigation RQ03008 Opened 2003-10-23 · closed 2004-03-05

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

FORD CONDUCTED A RECALL IN MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT A DEFECT AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2000 THROUGH EARLY-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (RECALL 01V-078).RQ03-008 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE REMEDY AND SCOPE OF 01V-078.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED…

Investigation RQ03008 Opened 2003-10-23 · closed 2004-03-05

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

FORD CONDUCTED A RECALL IN MARCH, 2001 TO CORRECT A DEFECT AFFECTING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2000 THROUGH EARLY-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (RECALL 01V-078).RQ03-008 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE REMEDY AND SCOPE OF 01V-078.ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford Taurus as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.