2002 Ford Taurus Electrical System Problems

TAKATA RECALL: I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A MAN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AGO AND I SLOWLY STARTED TO NOTICE SOME THINGS. I STARTED OUT WITH 3 WINDOWS WORKING INSTEAD OF FOUR WHICH I WAS NOT TOLD. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T EVEN WORK AND IT STOPPED ABOUT A MOTH AGO. A WEEK BEFORE THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, MY BROTHER WAS ACTUALLLY THE ONE DRIVING WHEN THAT HAPPENED. ALSO, I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD THE WRONG BATTERY IN THE CAR SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER DAMAGE THAT HAS DONE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WON'T WORK. I LOOK IT UP AND SAW A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON MY CAR. PLEASE HELP

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD TAURUS, IT STARTED TO STALL AND AND NOT PICK UP SPEED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. IT STARTED SHAKING AND CUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP TWICE THEN IT STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY JOB. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY STATED THE COMPUTER WENT OUT IN THE CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THAT. CAN FORD GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS. NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF, THE BRAKE LAMPS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,606 UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRES HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRES WERE ALSO MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER TO POWER WINDOWS AND DASH BOARD LIGHTS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COME BACK OR NOT AT ALL, UNTIL NEXT START. TRY TO RESTART SAME OUTCOME, AT LEAST IT DRIVES. PROBLEM IS IF YOUR WINDOWS ARE DOWN CAN'T RAISED THEM. LIVE IN CALIFORNIA FORTUNATELY VERY LITTLE RAIN. *TR

COMING OFF AN ON RAMP ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT REACHED 85 MPH BEFORE I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AGAIN, SO I SHUT IT OFF AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. *TR

BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER MY CAR WAS OUT OF ITS 3,000 MILE USED CAR WARRANTY, WHEN CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED THE HORN BEGAN TO GO OFF ANYTIME ANYWHERE - UP TO 5-6 TIMES A DAY. WHY IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID WAKING OURSELVES AND NEIGHBORS UP AT NIGHT OR HAVING CAR ALARM GO OFF MULTIPLE TIMES DURING DAY AT WORK WAS TO HAVE A FORD TECH DISCONNECT THE HORN! I DID SO AFTER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR MANY MONTHS - AND NOW, WITH HORN OFF, IT STILL CONTINUES (LIGHTS BLINK AND FLASH), JUST NOISELESSLY. INCREDIBLE! ONLY WORKAROUND BESIDES DISCONNECTING HORN WAS TO LEAVE THE CAR UNLOCKED - NOT AN OPTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE, AT TIMES, WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. SM.

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. *TR

WATER LEAK INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING BLOWER MOTOR. REFERENCE NTSB ITEM # 10011149 / SERVICE BULLETIN NBR 031506. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE ACTIVATED ON FIVE OCCASIONS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE DE-ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER FIREWALL/FLOORBOARD AREA WHICH CAUSES FAN BLOWER MOTOR, HEATER COIL AND ALL RELATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS/COMPONENTS ATTACHED. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME STATIC OR IN MOTION.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WATER HAS BEEN ENTERING INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR FROM THE COWL UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE MOTOR TO SHORT OUT AND STOP RUNNING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF TSB NUMBER 0415-3 FOR THE SAME FAILURE; HOWEVER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE BESIDES SELL THE CONTACT A NEW MOTOR. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

FORD ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SWITCHING DEVICES CONTINUE TO BE UNDER RATED WHICH RESULTS IN RANDOM VOLTAGE DROPS AND ENGINE STALLS. THE UNDERRATED SWITCHING DEVICE CONTACTS OVERHEAT WHICH RESULTS IN HIGH RESISTANCE WHICH RESULTS IN HIGHER HEAT WITH RESULTS IN HIGH RESISTANCE UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE RESULTS DROPS VOLTAGES BELOW WHAT IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE THE DOWNSTREAM LOAD. THESE DOWN STREAM LOAD TYPICALLY ARE THE HEAD LIGHTS AND COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPPLYING POWER TO THE SPARK PLUGS. ONCE THE DOWNSTREAM DEVICE TURN OFF FROM LOW VOLTAGE THE SWITCHING DEVICE COOLS AND RESUPPLIES THE DOWNSTREAM LOAD WITH ENOUGH VOLTAGE AN CURRENT TO REACTIVE THE DEVICE IN VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME RANGING FROM INSTANTANEOUSLY TO SEVER MINUTES. I FIST NOTICED THE PROBLEM YEARS AGO IN A 1987 MUSTANG AND THEN SAW IT AGAIN TONIGHT IN A 2002 TAURUS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE. UNTIL THE FAILED SWITCHING DEVICE IS REPLACED THE FREQUENCY OF FAILS AND THE DURATION WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MATERIALS FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS HAS HAD TO HAVE RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN CRASHES AND / OR DEATHS IF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED SINCE I FIRST NOTICED IN THE 1987 MUSTANG. *TR

MY 2002 FORD TAURUS HAS A LEAK THAT COMES FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER. IT ALSO LEAKS TO THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I FELT A SHOCK! I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM UNTIL MY BLOWER WENT OUT AND RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS DEFECT. I DID GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A RESISTER PART. THE BLOWER AND OTHER PARTS RAN THE BILL UP TO $400. PLEASE CAN SOMETHING BE DONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE THEFT LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,353 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

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. *TR

ON A RECENT TRIP TO N. CAROLINA WE NOTICED AN ODOR LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING IN OUR 2002 FORD TAURUS SES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE A/C BLOWER WOULD ONLY WORK ON THE HIGHEST SPEED AND WE COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. WE HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP IN N.C. THEY HAD TO REPLACE A RESISTOR AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 3 OR 4 YEARS WE HAVE FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR CARPET WET AFTER A RAINSTORM. WE DIDN'T NOTICE THIS OFTEN BECAUSE THE CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE WATER LEAK CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SHORT THE FIRST TIME IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT FORD MOTOR CO. WOULD WANT TO REPAIR THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. A FIRE COULD VERY WELL HAVE STARTED IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. OR WILL FORD WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS HURT? *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS AND AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY I SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING (ELECTRIC WIRES ETC.) THEN THE BLOWER MOTER STARTTED RATTALING AND RUNNING AT VERY LOW SPEED. THEN I TURNED OFF THE AC BLOWER MOTOR. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS THAT WATER LEAK IN THE DASH BOARD HAVE CAUSED OTHER MOTOR BLOWERS TO GO BAD. I SUSPECT THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVEN'T CHECKED IT FURTHER YET. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS COULD CASUE FIRE. BUT I AM KEEPING MY BLOWER MOTOR TURN OFF. BURNING SMELL WAS VERY STRONG. *JB