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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

874 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2005
Power TrainSuspensionCrash

DT: CONSUMER CALLED IN REGARD TO A RECALL 04M04 HE RECEIVED IN 08-2004 REGARDING CORRODED COIL SPRINGS, CAUSING A RUPTURED TIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REMEDY WAS TO MAKE A SHIELD AND TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN THIS SHIELD WAS READY. ON 12-30-04, VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. HE HAD THE COIL…

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DT: CONSUMER CALLED IN REGARD TO A RECALL 04M04 HE RECEIVED IN 08-2004 REGARDING CORRODED COIL SPRINGS, CAUSING A RUPTURED TIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REMEDY WAS TO MAKE A SHIELD AND TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN THIS SHIELD WAS READY. ON 12-30-04, VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. HE HAD THE COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. IN 1-05, CONSUMER RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL #04S17, EXPLAINING THE DELAY IN GETTING THESE SHIELDS PREPARED. IN 05-2005, HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE RECALL. FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT EITHER. NEITHER WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE REPAIR WORK HE ALREADY HAD DONE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION ON WENT OUT AFTER THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. HE FELT THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN 2004. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10127502

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2005
Power Train

MY HUSBAND AND I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE THEN TOOK IT TO 2 MECHANICS. JUST LOW ON FLUID, NO OTHER PROBLEMS. WE CHECKED THE FLUID BEFORE WE DROVE IT AFTER THAT. THE LEVELS WERE NEVER LOW. ONE DAY…

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MY HUSBAND AND I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE THEN TOOK IT TO 2 MECHANICS. JUST LOW ON FLUID, NO OTHER PROBLEMS. WE CHECKED THE FLUID BEFORE WE DROVE IT AFTER THAT. THE LEVELS WERE NEVER LOW. ONE DAY ON MY HOME, I HAD STOPPED FOR A LIGHT ON A HILL. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN WAITED FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME I TRIED, THE CAR JERKED AND LUNGED FORWARD. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT IT WHEN I GOT HOME AND HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. WE CHECKED THE FLUID AGAIN, NO CHANGE. IT WILL GO INTO GEAR IF THE ENGINE IS COLD. BUT ONCE IT WARMS UP, NOTHING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 3 YEARS, TAKING UP SPACE AND COLLECTING DUST. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION. A THIRD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRIED. IT WILL COST ROUGHLY $3,000 TO FIX IT. MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AND I REFUSE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I ALSO REFUSE TO MAKE ANY MORE PAYMENTS ON IT. I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE IT WON'T MOVE. FORD MOTOR CREDIT WILL NOT RELEASE THE TITLE UNTIL IT'S PAID FOR BUT WON'T COME AND GET IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT TO THEM. I WANT MY MONEY BACK, OR I WANT IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD IT TO MY HUSBAND SOLD OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THERE IS NO RECORD OF US EVER BRINGING IT TO THEM. NOW WHAT?

NHTSA ODI #10126562

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2005
Suspension

THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 1999 FORD TAURUS. *JB A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUG 2004 REGARDING THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE …

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THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 1999 FORD TAURUS. *JB A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUG 2004 REGARDING THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE AT ANOTHER FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10127941

105,000 miles · Jun 22, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFire

DT: ON 06/13/05 CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE. WHEN DRIVER WAS TURNING ON THE CAR SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER TOLD HER HUSBAND, AND AS HUSBAND CAME OUT TO THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM CRACKS IN THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE ALONG WITH TWO OTHER GARAGES, ON LEF…

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DT: ON 06/13/05 CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE. WHEN DRIVER WAS TURNING ON THE CAR SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER TOLD HER HUSBAND, AND AS HUSBAND CAME OUT TO THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM CRACKS IN THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE ALONG WITH TWO OTHER GARAGES, ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR, WHO REPORTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT OF LAKEWOOD ISSUED REPORT # 105-15803-1331-445. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR LOCATED OUT OF NEWHALL OWNER HAS THE PHONE NUMBER AND NAMES OF THE INVESTIGATORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10126203

640,000 miles · Jun 21, 2005
Steering

STEERING RACK IN 1999 FORD TARUS. PER THE AUTO SHOP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TYPE OF VECHICLE, STATED THAT IT WAS JUST A POOR DESIGN

NHTSA ODI #10126053

98,908 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO DAMAGE AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN (USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) TO THE DEALER WH…

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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO DAMAGE AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN (USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) TO THE DEALER WHO SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED THAT THE STEEL TUBING OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE FAILURE. HAVING NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE IN THREE DECADES OF BEING INVOLVED WITH AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE WITH SALTED ROADS, AND IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE SPENT ONLY A FEW YEARS IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE PRIOR TO MOVING TO A SNOW-FREE AREA, CONSUMER REQUESTED AND WAS GIVEN THE FAILED BRAKE LINES AS EVIDENCE (STILL AVAILABLE). REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES COST OVER $100 IN PARTS AND SUPPLIES AND OVER $360 IN LABOR, FOR A TOTAL BILL OF $471.18. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE REVEALED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS (SEE ODI #10117988 AND #10124628) WITH NO INVESTIGATION INITIATED BY EITHER FORD OR NHTSA. EVIDENTLY INVESTIGATIONS DO NOT HAPPEN UNLESS THERE IS A FIRE, DEATH, INJURY, ETC., AND THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED: A TAURUS THAT HAD ALREADY EXITED A HIGHWAY; ONE IN A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-THRU; AND THIS ONE ON AN ISOLATED ROAD. IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE THAT NO ACTION IS TAKEN ON SUCH AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE NHTSA'S ATTENTION?

NHTSA ODI #10125649

132,200 miles · Jun 12, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH, AND LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10125048

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2005
EquipmentSeat Belts

1. NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. 2. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTION MECHANISMS FAIL. REPLACED 1, UNIT FAILED AGAIN. NOW NEITHER OF THE 2 UNITS WORK. UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS. 3. 1 PART REPLACED, FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 1 YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10124878

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUSIE CONTROL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. DEALER SPENT AN HOUR FINDING PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID WAS CASUED BY SWITCH ON BRAKE PEDAL LOSING ADJUSTMENT.PAID $90.00 TO "ADJUST". SEVERAL MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #10124120

65,000 miles · Jun 2, 2005
Suspension

LOWER BALL JOINTS LOOSE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10124008

Official recalls

5

04V332000 · 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

2

PE04044 · 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.