2002 Ford Taurus Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Ford Taurus, 2% of the 1,426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11066448, filed 2018-02, 146,000 miles“Traveling on darkened road with automatic headlamps engaged at night. Headlights suddenly cut off, and had to change selector switch to manual head lights. This has happened several times.. I had the light sensor replaced but no change. After doing some research, the cause is most likely the automatic headlamp relay, which is not replaceable, as it is buried behind the fuse box, and excessive cost (>$300) to replace. I feel Ford should issue a recall, because it appears this is a common problem with Ford vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10714205, filed 2015-05, 85,000 miles“The passenger side brake and turn signal on my 2002 Ford Taurus will not illuminate and is malfunctioning. There also seems to be problem with the turn signal lever located inside the vehicle attached to the steering column on the left side. I have replaced bulbs and checked fuses, still no luck.”
NHTSA complaint #10158899, filed 2006-06, 70,237 miles“I am being told this third party as I was unable to see the accident scene and have not seen a police report. My 19-yr old daughter was exiting a main road slowing to a stop. She was doing approximately 2-3 MPH when she was struck from behind by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact knocked her vehicle into the vehicle in front of her knocking that vehicle into the vehicle in front of it. My daughter's airbags did not deploy. She received whiplash from the incident as she was forced backward and frontward. She also hit her head on the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650234, filed 2014-10, 50,000 miles“I am not able to get my car out of park and my brake lights will not stay on when the brake is pressed. I found that there was a recall on 2002 Ford Taurus, but at a different trim level. I called the dealer and was told there were no open recalls for my VIN and that no repair related to the brake lamp switch was ever done by a Ford dealership. I'd like to understand if my 2002 Taurus se was manufactured differently than the recalled vehicles. I am having the same problem described in the recall (04s12) but my model was not included. …”
NHTSA complaint #10302014, filed 2010-01, 143,260 milesRelated recalls
- 04V106000Mar 2, 2004Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could…Covers: Ford Taurus 2000–2003, Mercury Sable 2000–2003
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 9% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 2% |
| 2012 | 12 | 15% |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 24 | 2% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 14 | 3% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 27 | 3% |
| 1995 | 25 | 2% |
| 1994 | 50 | 5% |
| 1993 | 140 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 2% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
| 1990 | 6 | 2% |
| 1989 | 8 | 1% |
| 1988 | 6 | 2% |
| 1987 | 6 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Taurus
962 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsBody and structure
54 complaintsEngine cooling
53 complaintsAir bags
47 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
39 complaintsTires
38 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsEquipment
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology