Yes it can happen. The tolerences are so close that if the engine turns over just a couple of times, or if someone tried to start it, the valves could very well have bent stems.
In a 2002 Ford Taurus : Both 3.0 liter V6 engines , the " Vulcan " and the " Duratec " use a timing CHAIN
In a 2002 Ford Taurus : The 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine has ( 1 timing CHAIN ) The 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine has ( 2 timing CHAINS , 1 CHAIN to each cylinder head )
The 2002 Ford Taurus has 12 valves.
If the timing chain is off, you will probably have bent valves.
The 2002 Ford Taurus has overhead valves (OHV).
It is an interference engine. Valves will bend if the timing chain fails.
Chances are good, especially if you keep trying to start/run it.
Timing chain.
its a timing chain
A 2002 Jeep Liberty has a timing chain.
Your 3.0 Ford Taurus has a timing chain and is non-interference. No scheduled replacement is necessary. The only 3.0 Ford Taurus that had a belt was the SHO model, which had a Yamaha built 3.0 V6. I think it may have been a mistype, but the motor IS and interference motor, which is why you need to be careful. However, there is no belt, so if you are not messing with the chain then you will be fine because unless there is a problem with a tensioner, guide or the actual chain, your engine will not jump time. If it does, however, you will be bending valves or notching pistons.
timing chain