2002 Ford Taurus: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Suspension · 161,261 miles · NC

I have a 2002 ford taurus and about two weeks ago I was getting into the car and sat down when I heard a loud metal pop or bang, I got out and looked around and under the car and did not see anything, but I had noticed if I ran over a slight bump in the road I would hear a clunk at the rear driverside wheel area so today I heard it again and when I got home I looked under the rear driverside wheel well and low and behold I have a broken coil spring so I am in the process of getting it replaced and I will request to have the part returned to me as proof of the problem so if and when ford does a recall on this I can be reimbursed..

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Suspension · 83,650 miles · OH

Daughter and two grandchildren were driving my car on four lane busy state route in heavy traffic when she heard a clunk. As she proceeded she began to smell rubber. In a few seconds tire lost all air and she had difficulty maneuvering vehicle. She was stopped in left most lane and was trying to get to curb lane with hazards flashing. Car was hard to steer but after about 10-15 minutes she finally able to cross through traffic and get to curb lane and eventually into a businesses driveway. When tire was removed inner side was completely ripped 360* like as if a can opener was used.....coil spring was broken, part of it missing and rubbed clean from tire.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · MI

2002 ford taurus ses with aprox 125k miles front left coil spring broke about six inches from the bottom end, the spring extended to the next coil, the broken end cut through the front left tire. The front left tire looked as if it was cut with a razor, the spring completely severed the tire at the junction of the top of the side wall and the tread. Both sides of the tire remained seated on the rim. The spring broke when backing out of a drive that is level with the street. The operator heard a clunk and thought that ice had broken free from the fender, as experienced in winter operations. The car was operated 100 feet then the operator felt the flat tire. The front left corner of the car was low to the ground without the full support of the spring the left front sway bar link broke under the extra weight. The broken piece from the link was about 60 degrees of the outer ball retention cup (upper end of the link). It is plastic. This car is the model year after an established recall for the same issue, a report was filled with ford. The fl strut and spring where replaced. The right spring was bought with the left and will be installed with a new strut shortly. Also the left front sway bar link will be replaced. All failed components are retained by the owner, (we where able to get the stuff out of the drive)with the exception of the tire. The owner has photos of the tire and the spring ( still installed ) the morning this happened. Inspection of the spring at the break shows signs of intergranlure corrosion through the spring emanating from filiform corrosion on the surface. Owner bought the car used, it is unknown if the spring was original or a replacement.

Filed Mar 29, 2010 · Suspension · 40,833 miles · MI

Entering driveway, right front tire blew out and car "clunked" to ground! Had difficult time to get the carjack under car..because it was so low, no realization at that time that springs were gone. Replaced with donut spare, while driving to repair shop next day, car started smoking and smelling like burning rubber. Smoking a lot. Both tires in front burning up. Made it to repair shop, was told both front springs were gone, and both front tires were gone. Had to replace springs and tires in front end = $516.25. Was told I was lucky to make to to repair shop with all the smoke and burning rubber. Was also told I was lucky I wasn't driving on the highway. Was also told this happens often in 2002 taurus model. I do not know if repair shop kept the old springs. I was too angry to ask. The tires looked like someone took a can-opener to them and sliced them wide open. Very angry.

Filed Mar 26, 2010 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. While the contact was driving at approximately 20mph, he noticed a clunking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. Shortly after, the front end of the vehicle suddenly dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who informed him that the front coil spring needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were approximately 120,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2009 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · MI

While driving to work in the morning, my wife heard a "clunk' noise and a thump. She went back and picked up a piece of metal which turned out to be the bottom coil of the front right coil spring. Fortunately the tire did not get damaged. The spring was confirmed broken while in the shop for other repairs on 1/19/2009. By looking at the broken piece, you can see where the fracture propagated from. There appears to be a defect in the steel. I have worked in automotive for over 32 years with metals, so I know what I am looking at. This needs to be recalled as were earlier models!!

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Suspension · 89,000 miles · IL

Car made clunking noise - sounded like the car was going to fall apart - took it to my mechanic - he informed me that all 4 springs were broken.

Filed Jul 13, 2008 · Suspension · 55,000 miles · NY

Bought 2002 ford taurus sel from used car lot, had about 43,000+ miles in excellent condition. I have had this car less than a year. It presently has 68,000 miles (700 miles driven weekly), all highway driving. At about 55,000 miles ( I am guessing), I started hearing a clunk. Today I went to change the brakes and found the drivers side rear suspension low to the tire. I carry no weight in the car. I took the tire off to find the spring had snapped and coiled around the strut perch. The car has not been abused or mistreated. I find it strange that this car would snap a spring so easily in such a sort time. Luckily it didn't pop a tire while driving. I have read up on the internet to find this is a known problem for this year and make car. I have also read, that I should expect the front struts to collapse. I feel ford should be held accountable for selling a car with known dangerous and potential problems. There should be a recall on these vehicles for a potentially dangerous and faulty suspension. I have also been forced to replace the blower motor to the cars HVAC system. The system has been working intermittently. I have read on the net that this also is a known ford problem. I am fortunate that I am a federally licensed airplane mechanic, therefore I do my own repairs. The parts in question are not cheap, nor is my time. Ford needs to be forced to reimburse all expenditures to repair these known problems. Ford needs to recall and address these known problems.

Filed May 1, 2008 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · OH

I was pulling my 2002 ford taurus out of the driveway when I heard a loud clunk followed by the sound of a spring uncoiling. As I continued out of the driveway I heard the sound of something rubbing and smelled burning rubber. I made a u-turn and pulled back into the driveway. It was then that I noticed the left side of the car was sitting lower than the right and the left fender was resting on the left front tire. It is obviously a broken spring. Ford has recalled the 2001 taurus for this same problem. According to the dealership repairs will be around $500. The car as 60,000 miles.

Filed Apr 18, 2008 · Suspension · 96,000 miles · WI

While pulling out of my alley I heard a loud clunk and the left front end of the car dropped down a few inches and began to make grinding/rubbing noises. I carefully pulled back into my drive and after jacking up the car found the coil spring had broken. It did not puncture the tire but broke some sort of link.

Filed Apr 2, 2008 · Suspension · 67,048 miles · MA

I started my car, put it in reverse, stepped on the gas, went back about 6 inches and heard a loud clunk and then the sound of a tire exploding. I removed the tire and found that the left front coil spring had fractured, leaving a sharp end that punctured the tire. Upon checking on the internet, I found that several hundred thousand taurus' in 2000 and 2001 had recalls for defective front coil springs. My vehicle was manufactured in january of 2002. I called ford's recall line to explain what happened, and was told that my vehicle was not covered under the recall despite it being only one month newer. Estimated cost to repair and ensure safety by replacement of both front coil spring and punctured tire is approximately $500 plus towing.

Filed Nov 28, 2005 · Suspension · 75,570 miles · NY

Good morning. I was driving at approximately 55 MPH on a normal highway and heard a loud clunk sound. I was driving a 2002 ford taurus ses 4 door sedan. I temporarily lost control of my car and pulled over. The car was towed to courtesy ford in syracuse ny. 99% of my service is completed here. The service order states found left front spring snapped and also broke strut bearing and rubbed against left front tire and rim. Also ripped c.v. Boot l / replaced both front springs, bearings, struts. The service representative advised me their was a recall on 1999/00/01 ford taurus for spring failures such as this. (I have read here of your investigation on 2000/2001 models of the ford taurus) the service representative advised he was sure this would be expanded to the 2002 model year and to hold onto my receipt. So I am filing this complaint to possibly help in the cause of including the 2002 model year also. Thank you for allowing me to file this complaint.