Illustration1999 FORD TAURUS LOST POWER STEERING, PUMP AND RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD 36,264 MILES, WARRENTY WAS UP AT 36,000. WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE NOT OVERLY CONCERNED. WE ALSO THOUGHT THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE SOME OF THE $1400 COST TO REPLACE THE PARTS.
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
Steering complaints
106 reportsI WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALER, THE RACK & PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700. MILEAGE IS ONLY 32,500 *JB
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OM APARTMENT, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BUMPED THE CURVE AND TRIGGERED MY AIR BAGS, WHICH IN TURN EXPLODED AND CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE. THE FORD CERTIFIED DEALER IN MY AREA WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THE LADY O…
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I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OM APARTMENT, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BUMPED THE CURVE AND TRIGGERED MY AIR BAGS, WHICH IN TURN EXPLODED AND CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE. THE FORD CERTIFIED DEALER IN MY AREA WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THE LADY ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY FELT IT SHOULD, BUT NOT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING FROM A <1MPH IMPACT OF A TIRE INTO A CURB. FORD INSISTED THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS HAS REALLY BEEN HARD ON ME CONSIDERING MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS HESITANT TO COVER THE INCIDENT BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM NO COLLISION OCCURED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER, MY INSURANCE COMPANY FINALLY ACCEPTED CLAIM. ALTHOUGH IN RETURN MY RATES HAVE WENT UP AND I HAD TO TAKE A LOAN OF $500 TO COVER THE DEDUCTIBLE. EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAS BEEN RESISTANT TO HELP ME. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU OR I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD? THIS INCIDENT I MUST NOTE IS NOT THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A 1999 FORD TAURUS 92,000 MILES.
POWER STERRING WENT OUT AT 72,000 MILES. HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION. STILL DOESN'T FEEL NATURAL. POWER STERRING FLUID KEFT OVERFLOWING, EVENTUALLY LEAKING INTO THE BOOTS. AT HIGH SPEED 65-70MPH IT FEELS VERY UNSTABLE.
I LOST THE POWER STEERING ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING, I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING AROUND CORNERS. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I THEN BECAME AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO MAKE A TURN. I HAD TO HAVE A MALE FRIEND WHO IS FAR S…
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I LOST THE POWER STEERING ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING, I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TURNING AROUND CORNERS. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I THEN BECAME AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS I DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO MAKE A TURN. I HAD TO HAVE A MALE FRIEND WHO IS FAR STRONGER THAN ME, DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD WEAR OUT. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE RACK AND PINION SEALS HAD LEAKED AND THAT THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL BILL OF $734.51. I FEEL THAT THIS PART ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE AND IT ALSO COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS WHEN A DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A TURN AS EXPECTED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL YOU COULD DO TO INVESTIGATE THE POWER STEERING EQUIPMENT USED ON THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE INCIDENT DATE IS JAN. 2, 2003 BUT YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM ONLY GOES TO 2002.
INTIALLY DIAGNOSED AS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK - TURNS OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A LEAK IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING.
WELL, WELL, WELL. JUST YESTERDAY I FILED THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT TO YOU. THIS MORNING MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE PHONE W/ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE WHO SAID THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AT THE PRESENT TIME. HOWEVER, IT'S INCONCEIVABLE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS YOU DO OF A FAILED RACK AND PINION ON 1999 FORD T…
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WELL, WELL, WELL. JUST YESTERDAY I FILED THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT TO YOU. THIS MORNING MY HUSBAND WAS ON THE PHONE W/ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE WHO SAID THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AT THE PRESENT TIME. HOWEVER, IT'S INCONCEIVABLE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS YOU DO OF A FAILED RACK AND PINION ON 1999 FORD TAURUS, AND HERE WE ARE GETTING THE BREAKING NEWS TODAY THE GM JUST RECALLED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES FOR A FAILED LOWER PINION!!!! DON'T YOU LOOK AT TRENDS WITH OTHER DOMESTIC VEHICLES, LIKE YEARS, LIKE DEFECTS???? THIS FAILURE IS OBVIOUSLY A TREND IN THE '99 TAURUS! HOW SAD THAT 15 CRASHES HAD TO OCCUR IN THE GM VEHICLES THAT WERE MOST PROBABLY LINKED TO THEIR FAILURE. HOW FORTUNATE THAT '99 TAURUS OWNERS HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE SAME, AT LEAST NOT THAT WE YET KNOW OF. WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING US FROM ACCIDENTS, POSSIBLY INJURIES, AND POSSIBLY DEATHS? PLEASE ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION! ALSO, YOU TECHNICIAN TOLD MY HUSBAND ON THE PHONE THAT IF WE WERE TO HAVE OUR RACK AND PINION REPLACED, AS FOUR SEPARATE FORD MECHANICS HAVE ADVISED. THAT WE SHOULD SAVE OUR RECEIPTS AND IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED AT A LATER DATE WE COULD BE REIMBURSED. HOWEVER, ONCE AGAIN, ON YOUR WEBSITE I RESEARCHED AND READ THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE US FOR WORK ALREADY PERFORMED. GET YOUR STORIES STRAIGHT! I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE WITH BADED BREATH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DT
REPLACED THE FIRST ONE, 30,000 MILES LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. DT
RACK AND PINION SEAL BROKEN, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING INTO RIGHT BOOT. IN SPEAKING WITH 3 (THREE) SEPARATE AAA APPROVED REPAIR CENTERS, WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. WE CHECKED THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEBSITE AND FOUND SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME PR…
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RACK AND PINION SEAL BROKEN, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING INTO RIGHT BOOT. IN SPEAKING WITH 3 (THREE) SEPARATE AAA APPROVED REPAIR CENTERS, WE WERE TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. WE CHECKED THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEBSITE AND FOUND SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. FORD MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! HOW FORTUNATE MY 2 INFANT CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I BARELY MADE IT HOME!!! THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A FAULTY SEAL, AND FORD GOUGING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR AN ADDITIONAL $800-$1000 REPAIR IS AN ATROCITY!!! DT
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING THRU THE GEAR INTO THE LEFT TIRE BOOT. DT
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.