IllustrationVOLTAGE REGULATOR, OR ITS FUSE, IS FAILING TO CHARGE BATTERY
1999 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
6925–50K
8650–75K
7475–100K
64100–150K
22150K+
337 reports with mileage · 537 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
61 crash reports16 fire reports46 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
51 reportsWAS DRIVEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE NOTICED A BURNING WIRE SMELL.. PULLED OVER AND THE WHOLE TOP OF MY MOTOR WAS ON FIRE... THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL... MY CAR IS TOTALED. *TR
WAS DRIVING MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AT A SPEED OF 30-35 MPH AFTER DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH STEADY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HWY AND THEN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED FROM 30-35MPH TO 0-5 MPH AND STAYED AT THAT FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS AND MY CAR TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT AND DEEXCELERATE AND ALSO DROP THE TRANSMISSION …
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WAS DRIVING MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AT A SPEED OF 30-35 MPH AFTER DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH STEADY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HWY AND THEN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED FROM 30-35MPH TO 0-5 MPH AND STAYED AT THAT FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS AND MY CAR TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT AND DEEXCELERATE AND ALSO DROP THE TRANSMISSION INTO A LOWER GEAR ALL ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN FROM MY CURRENT SPEED OF 30-35 MPH. IT DID THIS TWICE WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF EACH TIME. SINCE I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY DESTINATION I MADE IT SAFELY TO MY LOCATION AND HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE. THIS ACTIVITY DID NOT OCCUR AT ALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY (41 NORTH) ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO DRIVING AT CITY SPEED OF 30-35 MPH AFTER EXITING FOR ABOUT 2 MILES TO MY FINAL LOCATION WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE ANY STOP AND GO DRIVING EXCEPT WHEN I GOT OFF THE HWY AND SLOWED TO 30-35 MPH ONTO PROSPECT AVE IN APPLETON, WI. I DID NOTICE A SIMILAR THING HAPPEN TO MY CAR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, BUT AT THAT TIME THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED FROM ABOUT 55 MPH TO 0 A FEW TIMES WITHIN 5-10 SECONDS BUT IT DID NOT TRY TO SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR LIKE THIS TIME WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM INDICATORS QUIT ON ME WHILE IN OPERATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE RISING FROM THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DID NOT NOTIFY POLICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOT NOTIFIED. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE RISING FROM THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DID NOT NOTIFY POLICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
AUTOMATIC POWER-TRAIN. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ,CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND HEATER CORE NEEDS REPLACEMENT . WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT SHIFT SOLENOID NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR
HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. BATTERY LIGHT IS ON AND LIGHTS DIM CONSIDERABLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT RESULTING IN SOMETIMES SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY. HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON THE #6 CYLINDER. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE WHEN THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON THE #6 CYLINDER. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS ANTIFREEZE ENTERING THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL ISSUE WITH THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH WOULD COST BETWEEN $1,500-$2,500 TO REPAIR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE IF THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; THEREFORE, HE WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES INSTEAD. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COAST DUE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM USING MORE GASOLINE THAN HE BELIEVED WAS NECESSARY. FOR ERRANDS AROUND TOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD USE A HALF OF A TANK. THE HEADLIGHTS HAD A DINGY COLOR ON THE INSIDE. HE ATTEMPTED TO GET ANOTHER LENS CAP FOR IT, BUT COULD NOT CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT WAS PLASTIC. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER HEADLIGHT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CLOSE TO TEN YEARS OLD. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND SLIP INTO ANOTHER GEAR. LASTLY, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES DIMMING INTERMITTENTLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.
MY '99 TAURUS DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS FLICKER TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE. I HAD ONE INCIDENT WHERE I COULDN'T TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. YESTERDAY WHEN I SET THE ALARM, THE HORN DIDN'T BEEP SO NOW THE HORN DOESN'T WORK EITHER. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS GOING ON AND FLICKERING WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE ACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS SO THAT HE COULD SEE MORE CLEARLY. WHEN HE DIMMED THE HEADLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE ACTIVATED THE HEADLIGHTS SO THAT HE COULD SEE MORE CLEARLY. WHEN HE DIMMED THE HEADLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. REMAILED EVOQ 10/15/07 *LJ
1999 FORD TAURUS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS THREE TIMES DUE TO IT BURNING OUT **CC *JB
Official recalls
504V332000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Jul 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
99V250000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 20, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.
98V288000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
Nov 9, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.
98V204000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Sep 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM PIVOT AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ENGINE MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO IDLE. ALSO, THE INSULATOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE INTENDED LOCATION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.
98V198000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Aug 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE04044 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened May 24, 2004 · Closed Aug 16, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
ODI POSSESSES 130 VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ) ALLEGING FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT (MODEL YEAR 1999-2000) VEHICLES.AN ADDITIONAL 11 VOQS CONCERNING MY 2001 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN FOUND, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 141.MORE THAN 75% OF THESE REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE BROKEN SPRING DAMAGED OR PUNCTURED THE ADJACENT TIRE.ALL OF THESE REPORTS ORIGINATED IN THE SALT BELT STATES LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.FORD WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (04V-332) COVERING VEHICLES SOLDOR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO INSTALL SPRING SHIELDS IN MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES TO PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM DAMAGING THE NEARBY TIRE.FORD WILL ADDITIONALLY NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SPRING FRACTURES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OF AGE OR 150,000 MILES.ODI ANALYZED FORD?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA AND FOUND THAT 99% OF THE SPRING FRACTURES OCCURRED IN THE STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA.IN VIEW OF THE COVERAGE OF THE SPRING FAILURES BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, ODI IS CLOSING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front
ODI POSSESSES 130 VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ) ALLEGING FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT (MODEL YEAR 1999-2000) VEHICLES.AN ADDITIONAL 11 VOQS CONCERNING MY 2001 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN FOUND, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 141.MORE THAN 75% OF THESE REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE BROKEN SPRING DAMAGED OR PUNCTURED THE ADJACENT TIRE.ALL OF THESE REPORTS ORIGINATED IN THE SALT BELT STATES LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.FORD WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (04V-332) COVERING VEHICLES SOLDOR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO INSTALL SPRING SHIELDS IN MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES TO PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM DAMAGING THE NEARBY TIRE.FORD WILL ADDITIONALLY NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SPRING FRACTURES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OF AGE OR 150,000 MILES.ODI ANALYZED FORD?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA AND FOUND THAT 99% OF THE SPRING FRACTURES OCCURRED IN THE STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA.IN VIEW OF THE COVERAGE OF THE SPRING FAILURES BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, ODI IS CLOSING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
ODI POSSESSES 130 VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ) ALLEGING FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT (MODEL YEAR 1999-2000) VEHICLES.AN ADDITIONAL 11 VOQS CONCERNING MY 2001 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN FOUND, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 141.MORE THAN 75% OF THESE REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE BROKEN SPRING DAMAGED OR PUNCTURED THE ADJACENT TIRE.ALL OF THESE REPORTS ORIGINATED IN THE SALT BELT STATES LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.FORD WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (04V-332) COVERING VEHICLES SOLDOR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TO INSTALL SPRING SHIELDS IN MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES TO PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM DAMAGING THE NEARBY TIRE.FORD WILL ADDITIONALLY NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL MY 1999-2001 TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR SPRING FRACTURES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OF AGE OR 150,000 MILES.ODI ANALYZED FORD?S WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA AND FOUND THAT 99% OF THE SPRING FRACTURES OCCURRED IN THE STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE OTHER INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THE STATES OF FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA.IN VIEW OF THE COVERAGE OF THE SPRING FAILURES BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, ODI IS CLOSING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY.
PE02080 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Apr 29, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
A TOTAL OF 161 FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURES ARE KNOWN TO ODI AND FORD FROM ALL SOURCES, 59 OF THESE LEADING TO TIRE DAMAGE.THESE FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE CORROSION STATES, WHERE 253,814 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD.WARRANTY AND CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA SHOW THAT THE SUBJECT FLEET EXPERIENCED A SPRING FRACTURE RATE OF 0.009% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.03% AT 60,000 MILES.THESE RATES ARE VERY LOW WHEN COMPARED TO PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF COIL SPRING FRACTURE:RECALLED '93 TAURUS (EA97-026): 0.1% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.34% AT 60,000 MILES; AND RECALLED '98 WINDSTAR (EA00-027): 0.11% AT 30,000 MILES AND 1.25% AT 60,000 MILES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE RATES SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THOSE OF COMPARABLE-AGED NON-RECALLED WINDSTARS SUBJECT TO EA00-027 (MY '95-'97).GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
A TOTAL OF 161 FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURES ARE KNOWN TO ODI AND FORD FROM ALL SOURCES, 59 OF THESE LEADING TO TIRE DAMAGE.THESE FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE CORROSION STATES, WHERE 253,814 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD.WARRANTY AND CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA SHOW THAT THE SUBJECT FLEET EXPERIENCED A SPRING FRACTURE RATE OF 0.009% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.03% AT 60,000 MILES.THESE RATES ARE VERY LOW WHEN COMPARED TO PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF COIL SPRING FRACTURE:RECALLED '93 TAURUS (EA97-026): 0.1% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.34% AT 60,000 MILES; AND RECALLED '98 WINDSTAR (EA00-027): 0.11% AT 30,000 MILES AND 1.25% AT 60,000 MILES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE RATES SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THOSE OF COMPARABLE-AGED NON-RECALLED WINDSTARS SUBJECT TO EA00-027 (MY '95-'97).GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
A TOTAL OF 161 FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING FAILURES ARE KNOWN TO ODI AND FORD FROM ALL SOURCES, 59 OF THESE LEADING TO TIRE DAMAGE.THESE FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE CORROSION STATES, WHERE 253,814 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SOLD.WARRANTY AND CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA SHOW THAT THE SUBJECT FLEET EXPERIENCED A SPRING FRACTURE RATE OF 0.009% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.03% AT 60,000 MILES.THESE RATES ARE VERY LOW WHEN COMPARED TO PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF COIL SPRING FRACTURE:RECALLED '93 TAURUS (EA97-026): 0.1% AT 30,000 MILES AND 0.34% AT 60,000 MILES; AND RECALLED '98 WINDSTAR (EA00-027): 0.11% AT 30,000 MILES AND 1.25% AT 60,000 MILES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ALSO EXPERIENCED FAILURE RATES SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THOSE OF COMPARABLE-AGED NON-RECALLED WINDSTARS SUBJECT TO EA00-027 (MY '95-'97).GIVEN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.