IllustrationTHE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE STEERING HAD BECOME HARD TO STEER DUE TO POWER STEERING PUMP AND STEERING GEAR FAILURE. *YH *SCC
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 reportsPROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE DAY ONE. BEGAN WITH WIPERS TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES, SPOKE TO MECHANIC, SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THEN THE CAR KEPT REFUSING TO SWITCH GEARS (SECOND TO THIRD), THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD QUIT AND CAR DIED ON SIDE OF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. ALONG WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE BRAKES SQUEALED VERY LOUD. CALLE…
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PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE DAY ONE. BEGAN WITH WIPERS TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES, SPOKE TO MECHANIC, SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THEN THE CAR KEPT REFUSING TO SWITCH GEARS (SECOND TO THIRD), THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD QUIT AND CAR DIED ON SIDE OF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. ALONG WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE BRAKES SQUEALED VERY LOUD. CALLED DEALER, WOULD NOT HELP, SENT ME TO FORD DEALER (DAVE GOULDS). REPLACED SPEED SENSOR, SCRAPED "RUST" OFF BRAKES AND SAID THEY MAY CONTINUE TO SQUEAL, THEY DO! THE CAR PICKS UP SPEED FROM NO WHERE, SPECIALLY WHEN COMING FROM A STOP. VERY SCAREY, REFUSE TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE BECAUSE OF IT. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS MAKING A HORRIBLE HUM AND I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING ON SEVERAL OCCAISIONS. ADDED FLUID, THE NEXT DAY IT LOOKED LIKE COCOA BUBBLING OUT. I CONTACTED THE GOULD FORD DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO BRING IT IN TOMORROW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND HE TELLS ME THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY MOST LIKELY WON'T COVER THE REPAIR (THEY DIDN'T COVER THE SPEED SENSOR EITHER). I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT A LOCAL COMPANY AFTER A SEVERE ACCIDENT, IT WAS TRAUMATIZING TO GET BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL, BUT THIS CAR IS LIKE A ROLLING DEATH TRAP, WHY ISN'T FORD RECALLING THEM? MR
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION. MR
VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. ONCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DEALER DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RACK AND PINION IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 8 MONTHS. NLMJLG
POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK WHICH MADE STEERING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT, ROARING SOUNDS COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES AND CAUSED CAR TO JUMP FORWARD AND SPEED AHEAD. NLM
WHILE DRIVING ON I-71, LOST POWER STEERING, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. NO FLUID, ADDED FLUID, BACK PRESSURE THREW FLUID ALL OVER CAR. DROVE TO #1RICART FORD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THEY CHECKED AND DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS BAD, ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE, BECAUSE OF SAFETY HAZARD OF LOCKING UP. REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK, GEA…
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WHILE DRIVING ON I-71, LOST POWER STEERING, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. NO FLUID, ADDED FLUID, BACK PRESSURE THREW FLUID ALL OVER CAR. DROVE TO #1RICART FORD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THEY CHECKED AND DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS BAD, ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE, BECAUSE OF SAFETY HAZARD OF LOCKING UP. REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK, GEAR ASY-POWER STNG. THEY DETERMINED AFTER REMOVING DUST BOOT THAT SEALS HAD FAILED LEAKING FLUID INTO BOOT. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. PLEASE ADVISE, IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DUE TO RACK AND PINION FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY NOISY AND HARD TO STEER. *YH
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE STEERING WAS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND, I TOOK IT BACK TWICE TO THE FORD PLACE TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND I ASKED THE MAN I BOUGHT IT FROM, WHY IT MADE THAT NOISE, AND THE SALESMAN AND THE REPAIR MAN BOTH TOLD ME ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCAISONS THAT "IT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THAT NOISE!". SO I DEALT WITH IT. BUT M…
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WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE STEERING WAS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND, I TOOK IT BACK TWICE TO THE FORD PLACE TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND I ASKED THE MAN I BOUGHT IT FROM, WHY IT MADE THAT NOISE, AND THE SALESMAN AND THE REPAIR MAN BOTH TOLD ME ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCAISONS THAT "IT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THAT NOISE!". SO I DEALT WITH IT. BUT MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN MESSING UP FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS NOW. MY STEERING WHEEL WON'T TURN, IT'S MAKING THIS AWFUL NOISE AND WHEN I STOP THE FLUID JUST BUBBLIES OUT, STEAMING HOT. AND THE RACK AND PINION BUSTED, AND THE FLUID STARTED POURING OUT. WE CALLED THE FORD PLACE, AND HE PLAINLY TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT IT WOULD ONLY COST $2000.00 TO FIX! I THINK THESE PEOPLE NEW THEY WERE SELLING ME A LEMON! THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED, BECAUSE I'VE ASKED OTHER PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THE SAME KIND OF CAR, AND THEIR HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR POWER STEERING ALSO.SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS!!
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY TAURUS I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. IT WAS VERY MINOR AND I DID NOT WORRY ABOUT IT - THINKING IT WAS A KNOT ON A TIRE. IT GOT STEADILY WORSE AND WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT HE TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS. THE FRONT TIRES HAD BOTH WORN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I REPLACED BOTH THE TI…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY TAURUS I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. IT WAS VERY MINOR AND I DID NOT WORRY ABOUT IT - THINKING IT WAS A KNOT ON A TIRE. IT GOT STEADILY WORSE AND WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT HE TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS. THE FRONT TIRES HAD BOTH WORN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I REPLACED BOTH THE TIE ROD ENDS AND THE TIRES. NOW I AM STILL FEELING THE SHUDDER WHEN I BRAKE AND LAST WEEK I STARTED NOTICEING THE STEERING WAS GETTING DIFFICULT AND HUMMING AS I TURNED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TODAY AND HE SAID THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SUGGESTED YOUR WEBSITE AND I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING OUT OF HAND. I HOPE YOU CAN PRESSURE THEM INTO STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND DO WHAT IS FAIR.*AK
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY TAURUS I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. IT WAS VERY MINOR AND I DID NOT WORRY ABOUT IT - THINKING IT WAS A KNOT ON A TIRE. IT GOT STEADILY WORSE AND WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT HE TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS. THE FRONT TIRES HAD BOTH WORN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I REPLACED BOTH TH…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY TAURUS I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. IT WAS VERY MINOR AND I DID NOT WORRY ABOUT IT - THINKING IT WAS A KNOT ON A TIRE. IT GOT STEADILY WORSE AND WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT HE TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS. THE FRONT TIRES HAD BOTH WORN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I REPLACED BOTH THE TIE ROD ENDS AND THE TIRES. NOW I AM STILL FEELING THE SHUDDER WHEN I BRAKE AND LAST WEEK I STARTED NOTICEING THE STEERING WAS GETTING DIFFICULT AND HUMMING AS I TURNED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TODAY AND HE SAID THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SUGGESTED YOUR WEBSITE AND I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING OUT OF HAND. I HOPE YOU CAN PRESSURE THEM INTO STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND DO WHAT IS FAIR.
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.