NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
874 reports66,000 miles · Sep 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE BRAKE LINES TUBING RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER LOST BRAKING ABILITY. HAD TO TAKE A SECTION OUT. TALKED TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 26, 2005. WAS PULLING IT INTO THE SHED CHANGED THE OIL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK …
Read full complaint
DT: THE BRAKE LINES TUBING RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER LOST BRAKING ABILITY. HAD TO TAKE A SECTION OUT. TALKED TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 26, 2005. WAS PULLING IT INTO THE SHED CHANGED THE OIL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (F8DZ-2C287/AA, F6DZ-2L568/AA, F8DZ-26569/AA). THE CONSUMER HAD THE FACTORY PARTS REPLACED TO PREVENT FURTHER FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE OLD PART IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10135047
67,000 miles · Sep 21, 2005
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERESTATE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY WHILE IN OVERDRIVE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND BOG DOWN. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1600.00. THIS OCCURED EVEN AFTER THE LUBE TUBE WAS REPLACED BY FORD AS PART OF A RECALL PROGRAM.
NHTSA ODI #10137244
47,622 miles · Sep 20, 2005
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT BECAME UNUSABLE. TWO OTHER SEAT BELTS IN SAME CAR WERE REPLACED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAME PROBLEM. A FOURTH SEAT BELT WORKS, BUT WITH DIFFICULTY. PAID DEALER TO REPLACE UNUSABLE SEAT BELT. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS PROBLEMS AND SOME RECALLS WITH SAME MODEL CAR BUT DIFFERENT RELEASE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137047
82,811 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Electrical System
WHEN YOU HIT THE HORN THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD LIKE YOU SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS YET. IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP IN A WEEK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136732
43,043 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE RECALL WAS ON #04V332000 NHTSA, FORD# 04S17 ON THE SUSPENSION: FRONT COIL SPRING: PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT FORD RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSUMERS AREA ON MAY 19, 2005. T…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE RECALL WAS ON #04V332000 NHTSA, FORD# 04S17 ON THE SUSPENSION: FRONT COIL SPRING: PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT FORD RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSUMERS AREA ON MAY 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE ON THE FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL ON 04S17. THE OWNER STARTED NOTICING THE NOISE RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE NOISE. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK ON JUNE 9, 2005. THE DEALER CHECKED AND SAID HE FOUND PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT SWAY BAR AND THE LINKAGES. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD REPLACE THE SWAY BAR AND LINKS FOR $160.00. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED QUALIFIED MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SWAY BAR LINKS. THEN THE OWNER CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THEM HAVING THE SWAY BAR CHECKED. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE COULD GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. FORD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSUMER 10 DAYS PRIOR TO TODAY AND THEY WERE NOT. FORD TOLD THE CAR OWNER HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ANY OTHER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE CAR REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY ONE ELSE'S OPINION EXCEPT FOR THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WORD. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE ADDRESS OF THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.*JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10129877
48,690 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Steering
ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, I HEARD NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AS I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING SEEMED "STIFF" AND ON HARD TURNS THERE WAS NOISE. AS A RESULT, I TOOK MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE ATTENDANT LOOKED AT THE STEERING FLUID AND FOUND IT TO …
Read full complaint
ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, I HEARD NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AS I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING SEEMED "STIFF" AND ON HARD TURNS THERE WAS NOISE. AS A RESULT, I TOOK MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE ATTENDANT LOOKED AT THE STEERING FLUID AND FOUND IT TO BE "DIRTY" AND LOW. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE TRY CHANGING THE FLUID TO DETERMINE IF THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COSTLY DIAGNOSTICS. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME (APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES) THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN WAS NOISY AND "STIFF". SINCE I WAS TO BE OUT OF TOWN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24). THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND POWER STEERING FLUID PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,100. THE TAURUS HAS ONLY 48,700 MILES. AS I LOOKED AT THE DOT WEBSITE, I DISCOVERED 3 OR 4 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. ONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAD 48,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10134093
64,000 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR AND HEAT IN MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT A FREEZE PLUG ON MY ENGINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR. I SPENT A LITTLE OVER $200 TO REPLACE THE FREEZE PLUG (MOSTLY LABOR CHARGES). TWO MONTHS LATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORK…
Read full complaint
I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR AND HEAT IN MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT A FREEZE PLUG ON MY ENGINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR. I SPENT A LITTLE OVER $200 TO REPLACE THE FREEZE PLUG (MOSTLY LABOR CHARGES). TWO MONTHS LATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, SO I CHECKED ON THE ANTIFREEZE LEVEL, AND IT WAS AGAIN EMPTY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ANOTHER FREEZE PLUG HAD FAILED, AND HE ESTIMATED IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $250 AND $450 TO REPLACE IT. I DO HAVE THE FIRST FREEZE PLUG; THE SECOND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED YET.
NHTSA ODI #10133572
20,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Seat Belts
DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPE…
Read full complaint
DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPERLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132641
66,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04S17-04M04 ON FRONT SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER SAID THE REAR SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THEDRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED IT UP AND HE HEARD A LOT OF NOISE. CALLER SAID …
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04S17-04M04 ON FRONT SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER SAID THE REAR SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THEDRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED IT UP AND HE HEARD A LOT OF NOISE. CALLER SAID HE WAS LUCKY HE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER IS OFFERING NO HELP.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10127457
62,000 miles · Jul 6, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR WHEN PARKED. PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AND THE DOORS COULD ONLY BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED MANUALLY. DEALER REPLACED THREE FAILED ACTUATORS ($500) AND THE DOORS BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10127669
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