Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
2002 Ford Taurus - front strut and coil spring failure. On 12/31/09 as I was backing out of driveway the right front coil strut spring snapped and punctured the tire. (tire was 6 mos old with only about 9000 miles of use) I had the vehicle serviced at a local mechanic shop then on the same day and within hours of first event as I was backing up the left spring snapped and punctured the new tire I had just purchased. I had purchased two new tires since I had to change the tires as a pair. I now have had to purchase a third new tire to replace the new one on left side that was punctured in the second incident. The break point of both springs is identical to the point where the spring broke the metal is snapped identically in the exact same spot on each spring and the fracture line at the break point is the exact same on each broken piece. I have saved the pieces of the spring. …
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus station wagon. While pulling out of the driveway there was a loud noise. I immediately pulled back into the driveway to get the vehicle off the street and called a mechanic. Upon removing the left front wheel he discovered that the left front coil spring had snapped and that the jagged edged of the spring had sliced through the tire side wall. The car was towed the mechanics garage where upon further investigation he found that the left front sway bar link and the left front strut assembly were also damaged. The failure has occurred only once - so far. The consequence in this case were not catastrophic - loss of use of the car for 2 days and a $950 dollar repair bill although I hate to think of the consequences had I been driving at highway speed and had this happen. …
Happened while the vehicle was parked in garage; heard a loud sound and suspected the coil spring suspension, since I knew about this problem from previous owner complaints from this website. Left coil spring broke and tore a big gash on tire and went flat. Called Ford dealer in dearborn, mi and they told it was covered as a recall; towed my car out there and they changed their story and told this VIN was not covered and 2001 model year was. What a joke. Promptly, I towed it out of there (did not want to give them anymore business) and got it replaced outside. Cant believe Ford does not want to acknowledge this problem even though it is a extremely dangerous situation especially while driving at high speeds and can happen to any of the coils. Very bad quality steel used in coil spring and problem seems to be prevalent in salt-belt states. …
Heard a loud bang while driving a 2002 Ford Taurus. Car leapt to the left and I heard loud screeching. I braked and slowed, and when stopped I discovered a flat left front tire. When I removed the tire to put on a spare, the tire was stuck on something in the back. After turning it to view - I saw that the coil spring was running right through the tire! Apparently, the coil spring had snapped and immediately punctured the tire. Car was towed to a shop and lots of repairs ($$$) were needed. I called Ford, and they said there was no recall on the 2002 model, only on 1999-2001 (same widespread problem). After looking online, I see many, many people have written about this same issue on the 2002 Taurus - but Ford refuses to extend their recall to that year's model. …
My 2002 Ford Taurus se was parked when I went to pull out of the space, the car made loud snapping sounds and was jolted, then would not move properly. I got out to check and the driver' s side front tire was flat. Put on the spare tire, and found a large gash cut into the inner wall of the flat tire. Found out that a broken coil spring destroyed the tire. Contacted two Ford dealers as well as their national customer service center, and was told that there was no recall on the 2002 Taurus, and they would not do anything to compensate me for the repairs, although I stated several times that this was a common and too well-known problem with the Taurus. I have yet to pay the repair bill, but know it will be around $400.00 for the replacement of coil springs and tire. I am saving my receipts and the defective coil in the hope that a recall will be ordered. …
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus with 95000 miles. I had (fortunately) parked my car for work; on return had a flat tire. On changing it, found the inside of the tire ripped open almost all the way around. When I took it in for a new tire, it was found the front driver spring had broken, and I was told "the Taurus has a problem with this". I had to replace both front springs and struts, get new tires and a wheel alignment to the cost of $1300. Now I'm researching and found the 2002 was not included in the recall for this problem, and the rear springs can break too, usually at much lower mileage. I'm now afraid to drive my car, and am looking for a new one sooner than I had planned. This could have been catastrophic if it had happened on the highway.
My fiancee's 2002 Ford Taurus sel front driver side coil spring broke and tore the whole inner sidewall off of the tire. The coil spring broke while the car was sitting in the driveway over night and thankfully my fiancee was just pulling out of the driveway when she noticed the tire halfway off the rim. Had the coil spring broke on the highway she May not be alive today. I spoke to Ford and they were unable to offer us any assistance. The vehicle is only 7 years old and only has 115K miles on it. There is a recall already in effect for 2001 models that have the exact same issue. I have the broken coil spring in my possession if in the case an investigator would like to examine the faulty part.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving approximately 20 MPH when the bolt snapped off of the wheel causing the contact to drive the vehicle to the side of the road, the contact also noticed that the vehicle was hard to maneuver after the bolt came off. A metal company tested the bolt and informed the contact that the bolt was made of decomposing metal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer but to a personal mechanic for service. The approximate failure mileage was 155,108 and the approximate current mileage is 157,108 the consumer stated while driving he suddenly lost steering capabilities. Updated evoq 06/09/10. Updated 08/23/11.
Own a 2002 Ford Taurus. Car parked in parking garage while at work. After work went to car, started it, put into reverse, moved not even three inches, sound like gunshot, front spring blew through front tire on driver side. My son said I had guardian angel...would have been killed if car had actually made it to the road. I have only had car three years. Towed to repair shop, mechanic said looks just like recall situation on 2001 Taurus, same spring incident..mine naturally not covered, but this is wrong. I was not aware of recalls on 2001 vehicles. I have no money, this repair will set me back quite a bit. I am thankful that nobody was hurt by flying parts!
I backed out of a parking space and heard a grinding sound. I checked the front end but could not see any problems. I drove forward approximately 10 feet and heard a bang as the right front passenger side tire blew out. When I changed the tire I found the right front coil spring impaled in the tire's sidewall. The spring broke and the sharp end rotated into the tire. Fifteen minutes earlier, I had been driving at 70 MPH on I-80 before exiting at mishawaka. I had the car towed to a local garage , and the spring/strut assembly was vreplaced. The tow truck driver commented he had seen approximately 20 of these incidents over the past 12 months.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 1,426 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Taurus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.