NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
874 reports130,000 miles · Dec 16, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
DT: THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON DECEMBER 14, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT. HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE LOCALIZED IN THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BASE…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON DECEMBER 14, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT. HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE LOCALIZED IN THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BASED ON THE EVENTS IT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE WAS RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145461
60,001 miles · Dec 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON DEC. 14, 2005, WITH 60,001 MILES, THE VEHICLES SERVICE (HYDRAULIC) BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. FULLERTON FORD OF SOMERVILLE, NJ EVALUATED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT A BADLY RUSTED STEEL BRAKE FLUID TUBE (WHICH FEEDS FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES) HAD RUPTURED. GIVEN THE CARS LOW MILEAGE, RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE AND THE FACT THAT THIS TY…
Read full complaint
ON DEC. 14, 2005, WITH 60,001 MILES, THE VEHICLES SERVICE (HYDRAULIC) BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. FULLERTON FORD OF SOMERVILLE, NJ EVALUATED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT A BADLY RUSTED STEEL BRAKE FLUID TUBE (WHICH FEEDS FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES) HAD RUPTURED. GIVEN THE CARS LOW MILEAGE, RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE AND THE FACT THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT, I FEEL IT INDICATES SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS USED IN THE CARS MANUFACTURE AND SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL AND PARTS REPLACEMENT AT FORD'S EXPENSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10145455
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION LURCHED FORWARD. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10144867
4,000 miles · Dec 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE ACCELERATION WITH BRAKE PRESSURE THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10144781
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SHE PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MAIN BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS BEING REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10141626
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentSuspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2004 FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE THAT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. ALSO, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. ONCE IN AWHILE ONE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST RIGHT AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD OR IT WILL NOT OPEN. CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHIC…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2004 FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE THAT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. ALSO, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. ONCE IN AWHILE ONE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST RIGHT AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD OR IT WILL NOT OPEN. CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT WORK, AND THAT WAS WHAT FOGGED UP THE WINDOWS. HAD TO DASH OFF IN ORDER TO GET TO THE BLOWER. JULY 1, 2005 THE DOOR SENSOR WILL DING EVEN WHEN SHUT THE DOOR, AND IT WILL STAY ON UNTIL IT RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10140066
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THEN DIED. *TS*** NAR RECEIVED 10-12-05*** WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH PUDDLES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP AND STALLING. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK PULLEY, TENSIONER OR IDL…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THEN DIED. *TS*** NAR RECEIVED 10-12-05*** WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH PUDDLES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP AND STALLING. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK PULLEY, TENSIONER OR IDLER PULLEY. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141021
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2005
Steering
CAR "BOUNCING" A LOT, BROTHER IN LAW SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. HAD THE TIRES CHANGED AND MY HUSBAND WAS CALLED OVER BY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD MY HUSBAND WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOWED HIM THAT THE RODS FOR STEERING WERE LOOSE BUT THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT. HE SAID IT WAS THE RACK PINION. I WENT ONLI…
Read full complaint
CAR "BOUNCING" A LOT, BROTHER IN LAW SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. HAD THE TIRES CHANGED AND MY HUSBAND WAS CALLED OVER BY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD MY HUSBAND WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOWED HIM THAT THE RODS FOR STEERING WERE LOOSE BUT THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT. HE SAID IT WAS THE RACK PINION. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WHERE I COULD HAVE IT FIXED AND CAME ACROSS 0 RECALLS YET HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139120
1,000 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 FORD TAURUS AND HAS HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING FOR THE LAST 48,000 MILES FOR THE SAME THINGS. MOST RECENTLY LAST WEEK SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH THEY REPAIRED. . THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. SHE HAD …
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 FORD TAURUS AND HAS HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING FOR THE LAST 48,000 MILES FOR THE SAME THINGS. MOST RECENTLY LAST WEEK SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH THEY REPAIRED. . THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THEY REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER, MACHINED ROTORS, AND PUT NEW BRAKE PADS ON. AT 1,700 MILES HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A NOISE SHE FROM THE BRAKES. THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. AT 22,466 BRAKES AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE CHECKED. THEY PUT A NEW SERPENTINE BELT ON AT 22,500 MILES. ALSO, HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. 4 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A HEAD LAMP CONTROL SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILE, AND A NEW RADIO PUT IN.*AK THE A/C HAD ALO BEE WORKED ON TWICE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132429
114,000 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONTACT READ IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE 2000-2001 FORD TAURUS INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AND COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE. THE INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS PE05054. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TAURUS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. HE NOTICED THIS ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. TOOK VEHIC…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT READ IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE 2000-2001 FORD TAURUS INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AND COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE. THE INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS PE05054. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TAURUS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. HE NOTICED THIS ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE DEALERSHIP FOUND IT THEN. THE DEALER CUT THE SPRING SO IT WOULD NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. HE WAS NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID, BUT IT WAS STILL BROKEN. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THIS CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION. HE IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138722
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.
Illustration