NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
874 reports120,000 miles · Jun 5, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT MEDIUM SPEED, AND PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT THE CURVE. TO MY HORROR THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALL THE WAY WITHOUT SLOWING THE CAR AT ALL. THERE WAS NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE BRAKES CAME BACK BRIEFLY AFTER PRESSING A FEW TIMES, BUT WENT OFF AGAIN AT THE NEXT STOP…
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TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT MEDIUM SPEED, AND PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT THE CURVE. TO MY HORROR THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALL THE WAY WITHOUT SLOWING THE CAR AT ALL. THERE WAS NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE BRAKES CAME BACK BRIEFLY AFTER PRESSING A FEW TIMES, BUT WENT OFF AGAIN AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT. THE CAR RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT, BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC. I PULLED OVER SLOWING IT DOWN AND PUT IT INTO PARK. WE GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST BRAKES REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC HAS INFORMED US THAT THE CAUSE IS AN "INTERNAL LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER". *JB
NHTSA ODI #10159043
98,000 miles · May 22, 2006
TiresCrash
4/27/2006, I HAD A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL NOTED PRIMARILY AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAD MY BRAKES DONE AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE BUT VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT. WENT TO TIRE SHOP WHO EVALUATED PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WHICH WAS SEPARATING. I HAD COOPER TOURING TIRES ON THE VEHICLE APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS OLD. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED…
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4/27/2006, I HAD A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL NOTED PRIMARILY AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAD MY BRAKES DONE AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE BUT VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT. WENT TO TIRE SHOP WHO EVALUATED PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WHICH WAS SEPARATING. I HAD COOPER TOURING TIRES ON THE VEHICLE APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS OLD. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AND THE OTHER TIRES INSPECTED AND BALANCED. VIBRATION WAS NO LONGER PRESENT. 5/21/06 DRIVING EAST ON I-10 BEGAN FEELING A STEERING VIBRATION. I WAS NEARING TUCSON AND PLANNED TO EXIT TO THE NEAREST TIRE SHOP, VIBRATION INCREASED. I TOOK INVENTORY OF VEHICLES AROUND ME NOTING A TRUCK PULLING A BOAT AND MADE A DECISION THAT I DID NOT WANT TO BE BY THE BOAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED. I MADE LANE CHANGE AND SHORTLY AFTER TIRE MADE A BIG BANG AND I SPUN 360 DEGREES ON THE FREEWAY, SPINNING REARWARD INTO THE MEDIAN. I DID AVOID HITTING TREES, OTHER VEHICLES AND BEING STRUCK BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I AM A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND HAVE HAD SKID CAR TRAINING. THIS WAS THE MOST HORRENDOUS EVENT EVER IN MY DRIVING CAREER. VEHICLE DID SUSTAIN DAMAGE. POLICE ASSISTED IN GETTING ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE ( I USE A WHEELCHAIR AND DRIVE WITH HAND-CONTROLS) AND REMOVED THE TIRE AND PUT THE SPARE ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST TIRE REPAIR FACILITY - THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND SHREDDED - I HAVE THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE BODY HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. TODAY WHEN DISCUSSING WITH CO-WORKERS WHAT HAPPENED - I WAS INFORMED OF A RECENT COOPER TIRE DEFECT STORY AND THAT IS HOW I GOT TO THIS SITE. TIRES ARE COOPER TOURING SLE I AM NOT SURE WHAT RATING DOT U9. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10158055
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2006
Steering
I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT MY CAR HAS A BAD STEERING RACK WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $750. MY CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE MY STEERING BECAME LABORED AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS TOLD IT IS A HAZARD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157734
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2006
Suspension
I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FOR THE COIL SPRINGS TO HAVE A COVER PLACED ON THEM TO PREVENT CORROSION AND BREAKAGE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS STARTED NOTICING A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHILE PERFORMING A TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHO …
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I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FOR THE COIL SPRINGS TO HAVE A COVER PLACED ON THEM TO PREVENT CORROSION AND BREAKAGE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS STARTED NOTICING A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHILE PERFORMING A TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL AND HAD THEM CHECK THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THEY CLAIMED THEY ARE OKAY. A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. BASED ON THE FORD DEALER TELLING ME THAT THE COIL SPRING IS OKAY, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE FOUR NEW STRUTS IN HOPES OF RECTIFYING THE LOUD CLUNK. THE NOISE IS STILL THERE EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STRUTS. THEY COST ME $650.00. NOW I FEEL I MAY HAVE WASTED THAT MONEY. I VISITED A FORD TAURUS FORUM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THE SPRING FAILS ON A HIGHWAY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156653
25,000 miles · Apr 4, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT OR IT WILL LOCK BEFORE IT IS FASTENED INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V250000 REGARDING THE SEATBELTS FRONT: ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REC…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT OR IT WILL LOCK BEFORE IT IS FASTENED INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V250000 REGARDING THE SEATBELTS FRONT: ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10154546
14,700 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Seat Belts
1999 FORD TAURUS REAR CENTER SEAT LAP/SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY. CHILD WAS TAKING SEAT BELT OFF AND THE ATTACHMENT FELL APART. THE LATCH PLATE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND THE BELT IS NOT USABLE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A CRASH OR THIS BELT WOULD HAVE FAILED ALLOWING MY CHILD TO BE INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154433
11,000 miles · Feb 23, 2006
Child Seat
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A COSCO HIGH-RISE/AMBASSADOR BACKLESS BELT POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT, MODEL #22-297-FLP BUILT ON JANUARY 25, 2006. WHILE THE BOOSTER SEAT WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THERE WAS A CLIP MISSING FROM THE SEAT. THE CLIP THAT PREVENTS THE SHOULDER STRAP FROM PUSHING ON THE OCCUPANT'S NECK WAS …
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DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A COSCO HIGH-RISE/AMBASSADOR BACKLESS BELT POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT, MODEL #22-297-FLP BUILT ON JANUARY 25, 2006. WHILE THE BOOSTER SEAT WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THERE WAS A CLIP MISSING FROM THE SEAT. THE CLIP THAT PREVENTS THE SHOULDER STRAP FROM PUSHING ON THE OCCUPANT'S NECK WAS MISSING. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BOOSTER SEAT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CLIP IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED; THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT CLIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10151047
90,000 miles · Feb 13, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SPARE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD DAMAGED THE WIRING IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10150162
75,450 miles · Jan 27, 2006
Seat Belts
REAR PASSENGER SEAT 3-POUNT SAFETY BELT FAILURE. BELT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT AND FUNCTION AS A USABLE SAFETY DEVICE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $69.07 FOR THE BELT AND $145.00 LABOR. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE. IN 2004, THE REAR DRIVER SEAT 3-POINT BELT ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148846
161,000 miles · Jan 16, 2006
Suspension
TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OVER 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147826
Official recalls
5Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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