Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. 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.
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
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. Contact's wife was pulling out of driveway on October 1, 2005. As soon as she started the vehicle it caught on fire .no signs of anything going to catch vehicle on fire. Turned on the defrost and then the vehicle started to smoke, and caught on fire. No injuries. Police and fire departments filed reports.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on 01/022/07 while the vehicle was sitting warming up with a block heater, the contact heard popping noises, went to check on the vehicle and it was on fire and burned the car port, his mobile home and all the contents.
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
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.
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. …
Ford issued a recall on its 2002 Ford tauraus vehicles for updating the computer systems. After the computer systems were updated I was told that I need to purchase a new oxygen sensor to keep the light from coming on again. I asked if this was a part of the recall and the dealership stated no that is was something different. Well the same exact thing happened on my father-in-laws 2002 Ford escape. I took it in and was told the same thing. I asked again if it was part of the recall and they assured me that it wasnt. I think they are wrong. Well about a month later the car started accelerating on its on and jumping out of gear. This could have caused and accident but thankfully no one was in front of us at the time. Then the battery on it drained down so far that the big jump box at the dealership couldn't even fix it and we had to purchase a new battery. …
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?
Electrical complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Taurus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Ford Taurus, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Taurus electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.