The Lemon Index2002 Ford Taurus.
The 2002 Ford Taurus is better than average by owner complaints: 214 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 62, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 19 to 21 mpg combined. The best Ford Taurus year is 2004.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,426 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Taurus year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 57K to 108K miles on the car (1,228 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 64K–108K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 43K–80K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 69K–129K miles
Recalls 4
- brakes 2016
A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- lights 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING.
- visibility 2003
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 SQ…
Show all 4 recalls
- brakes 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 96 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpeed control cable damage2012–2013
- ClosedFront suspension coil spring fracture2008–2011
- ClosedBrake/accelerator pedal application2003–2004
- ClosedBrake light switch failure2003–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving there would be a vibration in the rear suspension. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2002 Ford Taurus owner · NHTSA complaint 10092655
More owner reports
Dt: the contact stated while driving the spring in driver's side front broke. The vehicle has not been inspected.
NHTSA complaint 10144513
Struck another vehicle from the rear...11 o'clock pdof.. High speed...driverside pretensioner fired, but no airbag. Passenger side air bag fired, but no passenger was in the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10058460
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ford Taurus reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 62; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Taurus year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2002 Ford Taurus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (16%), airbags (15%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?
4 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Taurus get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Taurus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 57,800 and 108,000 miles. The middle report was at 80,500 miles, from 1,228 complaints.
Does the 2002 Ford Taurus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Ford Taurus cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Ford Taurus have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Taurus year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2016 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works