2002 Ford Taurus: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 175,660 miles · NC

I pushed the accelerator into passing gear to go around a vehicle in the passing zone on a hill. When I released the accelerator the car continued to accelerate and on topping the hill we were traveling over 70 MPH. I tapped the accelerator but acceleration continued. Coming down the hill I shifted into neutral and the engine accelerated to over 6000 RPM. I stopped on level ground and shut the engine off. On restart, the engine immediately revved to over 6000 RPM and a transaxle warning icon appeared. By alternately shifting in and out of gear I jerked to an auto body shop. The mechanics knew the problem immediately; broken plastic tabs had allowed the cruise control cable sheath to slip out of the throttle connector. The cable sheath was jammed against the edge of the connector, holding the throttle open. When the sheath was reinserted into the connector, RPM returned to normal. The mechanics wired the cable to the connector so we could continue our trip. Function is normal 3k miles later. The dealer indicated no recalls or tsb's related to the problem and wants $34. For a new cable.

Filed Feb 27, 2011 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · MD

On 23 february 2011 I put my 2002 ford taurus in reverse on my carport, and I heard a loud bang noise.the car lurched to the left a made a loud thud sound hitting hard on the carport floor. I turned the engine off and got out to see what had happened. The left front coil spring had broke and was thrust into the left tire. Also, the spring hit the top of the nylon stabilizer breaking part of the top and throwing the cover of the ball joint on the floor.

Filed Jan 26, 2009 · Suspension · 74,591 miles · OH

Backing out of driveway, front end of car lurched up; accompanied by extremely loud noise. Upon inspection, discovered front driver's tire shredded. I assumed at the time, this was the only problem. Tire mechanic advised that there had been a recall of make and model for catastrophic failure of front springs. This recall was discontinued just prior to my model year. Contacting several dealerships as well as the manufacturer came to the same conclusion - "we know there is a problem but we cannot help you." transferring the car to another repair facility, it was determined that left front spring had indeed broken and recommended repairs were estimated at over $350.00 to include the other side front coil spring and, of course, a new set of tires and associated alignments. At the time of this complaint, there has been no repair accomplished - as claimant is seeking legal recourse through state attorney general's office as well as private legal counsel.

Filed Jan 6, 2009 · Suspension · 152,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford taurus. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked over to the right lane very roughly and almost drove into oncoming traffic. The contact pulled over onto the shoulder and he noticed that the front driver's side spring snapped, which caused a hole in the front driver's side tire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the failure should be included in a recall. The federal safety agency action number ea08018 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs), date investigation opened august 28, 2008, date investigation closed: open was referenced. The contact believes that the investigation should be closed and a recall should be issued. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 152,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · RI

I made a corner and heard a rubbing then a loud pop. The rear spring broke and stabbed the rear tire making it blow out. The car jerked hard but was able to keep control. The spring is sticking out about two inches hitting the side wall of the tie.

Filed Apr 13, 2006 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · OH

Transmission failure - car jerked & drive failed when proceeding from a green light, (see odi # 10155047). When transmission was being replaced, it was also found that the neutral safety switch had melted and also needed to be replaced, I had asked the service technician how that could have happened & the service technician found it to be very odd, and that it was very rare to even have happened.

Filed Apr 11, 2006 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · OH

I was stopped at a red light, when the light turned green I tried to drive forward; the car then jerked and the drive gear(s) became completely inoperable. The car had to be towed to my home. On 4/10/2006 I called the dealership and they said "sorry, your warranty is over, but we can look at it for you" they then gave me the 800 number to call for ford. The car was purchased 12/31/2002, it was a demo with 7,838 miles. It currently has only 55,000 miles. The entire transmission needs replacement at a cost of $1600.00 (plus) which is entirely my expense with no assistance from ford or the dealership. A call was made to the consumer line at ford, 1‑800‑392‑3673, and they registered the complaint and said there was nothing they could do to correct or assist with the problem.

Filed May 20, 2005 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 24,500 miles · CA

While driving the vehicle suddenly accelerated. When exiting the freeway the vehicle lurched forward and increased in speed. The owner put both feet on the brakes, yet the vehicle continued to go forward. The owner had to turn the engine off in order to come to a stop. *ak the transmission experienced shifting slippage, a slight leak was found in the bell housing area. The transmission was removed and the converter front hub seal was leaking. The seal was replaced along with the valve body pan. The alarm would sound when no one was near the vehicle and the vehicle could not be started unless the alarm was reset. *sc

Filed Nov 22, 2004 · Acceleration, Transmission · 3,029 miles · NJ

While driving at any speed the vehicle lunged and or accelerated suddenly. *ak there was a burning odor that would be present along with the hesitating and jerking. The consumer was informed that the problem may have been due to a leak on the gasket onto the transmission.

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Transmission · CA

Transmission , 2002 taurus, approximately 22,000 miles is clunking and banging when you shift from park to drive, drive to reverse, reverse to drive and even when you put it in neutral. We have been telling the dealer since we owned this car that the transmission was clunking at times and we keep being told that it is normal or its the parking pawl. It used to take about a second after you stopped to downshift into first. We brought it in on 02-18-02 and were told there is not a problem and that this is normal. We kept bringing it up when we brought it in for service and was told this is normal. We brought it back on 02-25-04 and told them that it had a hard up shift into second and when shifting from park to drive and drive to reverse etc. It bangs and you can feel it jerk the car. They reprogrammed the PCM and replaced 2 motor mounts because they were bad. The up shifting while driving and the hesitation down shifting when stopping has seemed to improve. We took it in on 09-1-04 and asked service writer if we could have a mechanic take a drive and listen to it. He said wait a minute. He came back with who he said was his service manager. His service manager told us that he owns a taurus and they do this. After research on the internet about transmissions they should have a smooth shift from park to drive and drive to reverse etc. This transmission is smooth at times and clunks and bangs at other times. We wanted to have a mechanic take a drive with us and we would show him what it was doing. It clunks and bangs after it warms up and we told this to mike and his service manager. What made the motor mounts go bad? Will this transmission fail on us unexpectedly or hurt the motor mounts etc? I called the service writer on 9/7, he kept telling me it was normal. We want to sell the car but dont believe this is normal. If this is normal and safe, then we want ford to provide in writing. It is getting worse!

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Suspension · DC

When applying the brakes to come to a stop vehicle jerked as if it was rear ended. Took vehicle to dealership, and was informed by mechanic nothing could be found.