2002 Ford Taurus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 100about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,426 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,687miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 100 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 1,426 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,687 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.
“Every time it rains heavy, I end up with water on the passenger floor. The defrost blower motor has shorted out three times due to this problem. I looked online and found many many complaints from Ford Taurus owners. Due to some kind of defect,water gets in the heating system and ends up on the passenger floor. It also makes the defrost blower motor and resistor go out.”
NHTSA complaint #10258622, filed 2009-02, 78,345 miles“Ford is aware that they have a fit problem with the cowl and air cabin filter areas of these cars that cause water to leak onto the floor of the passenger side. This causes carpets to get moldy/smelly. The leak sometimes allows water to short/ruin the blower motor. I believe recall number 03v087000 is related to this issue. I have brought this problem to the attention of my local Ford dealer and they won't do anything to fix it unless I pay them $400 or so.”
NHTSA complaint #10667259, filed 2014-12, 150,000 miles“I took my 2002 Ford Taurus to the repair shop because I did not have any heat. I was told it was the heater core and they proceeded to replace it. After I picked my vehicle up, by the time I got home I had no heat again. The technicians at the repair shop said they do not know why it is not heating. Ford technicians do not know either.”
NHTSA complaint #10219766, filed 2008-03, 74,000 miles“The blower for the heating and air conditioning stopped working. I removed and replaced the blower motor. The blower motor had shorted out due to water leakage. There was still some water in the motor housing and the metal was rusted, evidence of water penetration for some time. The car is kept in a garage and only has 42,000 miles. I have kept the old part.”
NHTSA complaint #10147169, filed 2006-01, 42,000 miles“The heater/AC blower of my 2002 Ford Taurus only works on high. I went to the dealership today and received an estimate to repair will cost me $660.00. This estimate includes a fix for a known design flaw. Evidently water leaks into the vehicle from somewhere around where the windshield wipers are causing damage to the resistor and motor. I need a blower motor, updated (fix) cowl, and resistor.”
NHTSA complaint #10234917, filed 2008-07, 46,600 milesRelated recalls
- 03V087000Mar 10, 2003Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields may…Covers: Ford Taurus 2002–2003, Mercury Sable 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10018742Nov 14, 2005Power window concerns - service tip.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013395Nov 15, 2004Grunting noise from front power window glass is powered to the full up position.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011149Aug 9, 2004Water in the blower case or on the passenger side floor, an inoperative climate control blower motor, a motor that operates on high speed only, and/or a blower motor resistor…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 196 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 4% |
| 2000 | 45 | 4% |
| 1999 | 59 | 7% |
| 1998 | 17 | 3% |
| 1997 | 57 | 7% |
| 1996 | 55 | 7% |
| 1995 | 38 | 3% |
| 1994 | 30 | 3% |
| 1993 | 157 | 10% |
| 1992 | 43 | 6% |
| 1991 | 19 | 3% |
| 1990 | 24 | 6% |
| 1989 | 14 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 3% |
| 1987 | 10 | 4% |
| 1986 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Taurus
962 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 complaintsExterior lighting
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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