Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Backing out of parking space resulting to damage to both vehicles . Brake\gas pedals. Position of driver ( body turned) relative to pedals while backing car can allow drivers foot to be in contact with both pedals. Increased pressure on the brake can allow increased pressure on the gas pedal allowing the vehicle to continue in a reversed direction . Can strike a person or object resulting in injury or damage. Subject car is a station wagon and appears to have lower seating \configuration than a sedan .
I purchased this car new in 2002 after previously owning several Ford vehicles. On July 20, 2012, I attended a family funeral a little over two hours away from my home. While returning home via I-75 in middle georgia, the transmission completely failed. While traveling at 70 MPH, the engine suddenly increased to over 6000 RPM. I immediately let off the gas and looked in the rear view to see white smoke boiling from the rear of the car. After safely getting the car off the interstate, I raised the hood to see transmission fluid all over the left side of the engine. It's simply a miracle the car did not catch fire. I waited for two hours in 100 degree heat before a tow truck arrived. …
Driving out of town the vehicle showed no signs of any problems including no dashboard lights or warnings displaying any need of maintanance. While turning onto another street at a low rate of speed then pressing accelerator to go, the drivetrain suddenly stopped pulling and the car stopped . The engine was still running at idle speed but the rpms were fluctuating up and down then stabilized at about 1,200 rpms. There were no sighns of any fluid leaks or pinched lines. Just a sudden stop, leaving me and my family stranded in the middle of nowhere. The expenses of hiring a wrecker to tow the vehicle to the nearest shop, and the actual repair expense was well over our family budget and has caused us a great deal of unnecessary hardships in our daily lives.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the gear shift hesitated to switch into the reverse position. As a result, the vehicle failed to respond intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be flushed and the transmission filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000. Ma 10/25/15
While vehicle was running driver got out to wipe off the windows and transmission unexpectedly shifted to reverse. Driver attempted to stop vehicle, and was run over. Driver sustained leg, chest, and arm injuries. The vehicle ran into a boat trailer. A friend of the consumer's took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer indicated that the vehicle was fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the spline and torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 152,000.
I was driving down a four lane freeway and was passing someone in the left lane when suddenly my car just revved up and lost all acceleration. No warning signs or anything. It was a busy day on the road and I could have got into an accident trying to get off the road. Luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road avoiding an accident, but that was not an easy task. If this would have happened as I was accelerating through a busy intersection or similar circumstance it could have been deadly. I checked online for people who had the same problem and I found many complaints about this issue and how much of a problem it was for people who were not as fortunate as me who have come close to life threatening incidents. I'm wondering why something has not been done to rectify this issue with this car. …
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. …
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, [phone], and they registered the complaint and said there was nothing they could do to correct or assist with the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. While pulling out of a grocery store parking lot at an unknown speed, the transmission suddenly stopped functioning properly. The vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. She was able to coast 50 feet down the hill to her house, which was near the store she had just left. Once she was near her home, the contact's son helped push the vehicle into her parking space. The vehicle was still running, but the transmission failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to russell's exxon, where the mechanic stated that the gears in the transmission had fallen apart. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 68,000. Update 09/10/08 updated 09/16/08.
Transmission complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Taurus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.