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
What owners actually said
874 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2003
Steering
JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY STEERING. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE POWER STEERING FLUID. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS WHEN I HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET BACK HOME. I PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT JUST DISAPPEARED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I TOOK…
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JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY STEERING. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE POWER STEERING FLUID. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS WHEN I HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET BACK HOME. I PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT JUST DISAPPEARED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE WAS AMAZED WHEN HE SAW MY POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE RACK. THE SEAL HAD BROKEN BADLY. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. I EXPECT I WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE CAR PROBLEMS AS WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT I ALMOST FELL TO GROUND WHEN I WAS TOLD HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. I HAVE ALWAYS SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF FORD AND I AM SURE I STILL WILL AND I AM SURE MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A FORD. I JUST FOUND IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THIS MAJOR SO SOON. SAD THING IS, I FEEL EVEN WORSE AFTER LEARNING THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND THERE WAS SO MANY OTHERS. EVEN NOW, MY CAR DOES NOT FEEL THE SAME. I HAVE GOT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS BECAUSE THE WHEEL HAS STARTED TO TIGHTEN UP AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10039633
41,500 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Suspension
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND THE SHARP BROKEN EDGE SLICED THE TIRE OF OUR 1999 FORD TAURUS SEDAN, VIN #[XXX]. THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. WE WERE VERY, VERY LUCKY THAT THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR OTHER CONSEQU…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND THE SHARP BROKEN EDGE SLICED THE TIRE OF OUR 1999 FORD TAURUS SEDAN, VIN #[XXX]. THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. WE WERE VERY, VERY LUCKY THAT THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. BUT IT WAS A TERRIFYING CLOSE MISS WITH A HORRIFIC CATASTROPHE. IF THE SPRING HAD BROKEN ONLY A SHORT TIME LATER, IT IS EXTREMELY LIKELY THAT MY WIFE AND SEVERAL OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR AT LEAST SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHE WAS JUST STARTING ON A DRIVE INTO BOSTON VIA ROUTE I93, A HEAVILY USED EXPRESSWAY. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SPRING HAD BROKEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT EXPRESSWAY SPEED AND SURROUNDED BY OTHER FAST MOVING VEHICLES. WE PURCHASED THE CAR APRIL 25, 2000 FROM HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY WHERE IT HAD BEEN USED AS A COMPANY CAR ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THE MANAGERS. THE ODOMETER READ 5,352 THEN. MOST OF OUR DRIVING HAS BEEN DONE AROUND SUBURBAN BOSTON WHERE THE ROADS ARE WELL SURFACED AND MAINTAINED. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT (MAY 28) THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY IVERSEN FORD, 257 BOSTON ROAD, NORTH BILLERICA, MA. THE FRONT STABILIZER BARS AND LEFT INNER AXLE SEAL HAD BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE THE BROKEN SPRING AND THE ORIGINAL UNBROKEN SPRING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE IN MY POSSESSION. I ALSO HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SPRING AND SLASHED TIRE. FORD REFUSED TO ANALYZE THE BROKEN SPRING DESPITE TWO LETTERS URGING THEM TO DO SO. FORD ALSO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE SPRING REPLACEMENT. AS FAR AS I CAN DETERMINE, FORD HAS NOT SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED THIS MATTER EITHER WITH REGARD TO DEFECTS IN THE COIL SPRING ITSELF OR WITH REGARD TO SERVICE PROCEDURES THAT COULD LEAD TO SPRING FAILURES. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10038977
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2003
Power TrainSteering
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED BOTH CV BOOTS AND RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10039949
42,320 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 2 TIMES. FIRST TIME AFTER 3 HOURS I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR HOME. 2 ED TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. BILL WAS OVER $ 600.00 WITH TOWING. CALL TO FORD 800# LISTED ON THIS SITE AND THEY SAID NO RECALL AND NO RECOURSE AS OF NOW..
NHTSA ODI #10038963
40,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003
Suspension
THE COIL SPRING POPPED OUT AND FRACTURED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE SPRINGS ON BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE POPPED OUT AND DAMAGED THE TIRE. BOTH SPRINGS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10024318
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2003
Power Train
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. A SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND IT HAS CURRENTLY FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN A 3 YEAR/36000 MILES WARRANTY, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC/DEALER, AND WAS TOLD T…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. A SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND IT HAS CURRENTLY FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN A 3 YEAR/36000 MILES WARRANTY, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC/DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD BAD HUB SEALS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED REPLACING AT THE TUNE OF $1200.00. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR 2 WEEKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038450
50,000 miles · Sep 8, 2003
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID FROM THE HUB SEAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10038388
90,000 miles · Sep 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE TIMING BELT BREAKING AND FALLING OFF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10038095
50,000 miles · Aug 28, 2003
BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED. I REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE APPRX. ONE YEAR AGO. I HAVE ONLY 50000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10036754
47,000 miles · Aug 20, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING A BRICK WALL.*MR WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO OVER 3000 RPM WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JUMP AN EIGHT INCH CURB AND VIOLENTLY HIT A BRICK WALL.*TS *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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