Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Large Cars

2002 Ford TaurusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,469 owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Taurus. Most complaints involve suspension (972) and visibility (101). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
1,469
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 1, 2016NHTSA 16E026000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 2, 2004NHTSA 04V106000

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Mar 10, 2003NHTSA 03V087000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,469 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2001 – May 2026
  1. Suspension972
  2. Visibility101
  3. Vehicle speed control79
  4. Structure57
  5. Engine and engine cooling55
  6. Air bags51
  7. Power train49
  8. Electrical system44
  9. Tires41

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Taurus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996868
1997816
1998570
1999918
20001,195
20011,036
20021,469
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013591
2014236
2015286
201688
201744
201852
201918
Crashes reported
77
Fires reported
15
Injuries reported
47
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

972 reports8 crashes1 fire
“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, (248) 332-9300) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2020Suspension, Service brakesODI 11383037

Visibility

101 reports1 crash2 fires
“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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2019Visibility, StructureODI 11233130

Vehicle speed control

79 reports16 crashes1 fire
“ON 14 OCT 2017, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED. ON THE DRIVE HOME, THE THROTTLE CABLE BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT STOP ACCELERATING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR BY CRASHING INTO A DUMPSTER/FENCE AT A SERVICE STATION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2018Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11132160
All 2002 Taurus problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Taurus
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
Taurus Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Taurus Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Ford Taurus as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4591Vehicle 4576Vehicle 4575
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Taurus questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Ford Taurus problems?

Owners filed 1,469 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (972), visibility (101), vehicle speed control (79). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Ford Taurus get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Ford Taurus at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026