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
29,995 miles · Mar 17, 2003
Visibility
PURCHASED '99 FORD TAURUS FROM HERTZ DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2000. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES OCCURS RIGHT AFTER SIGNAL HAS BEEN USED BUT NOT ALWAYS. WILL OCCUR AT RANDOM. WHEN TAKEN BACK TO HERTZ DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN F…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED '99 FORD TAURUS FROM HERTZ DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2000. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES OCCURS RIGHT AFTER SIGNAL HAS BEEN USED BUT NOT ALWAYS. WILL OCCUR AT RANDOM. WHEN TAKEN BACK TO HERTZ DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN FORD MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND MUST BE FIXED BY THEM. WHEN I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY FIX THE DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGE IF THE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 30,000. AT THE TIME, MY MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,995. CONSTANT ATTEMPTS TO HAVE PROBLEM RESOLVED BY FORD HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON FORD CARS BUT ONLY ON VANS AND TRUCKS. REQUEST ANY ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER SINCE THE DEFECT IS A FORD FACTORY DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED TO FORD OWNERS BY FORD WITHOUT PENALTY. SHOULD BE HANDLED WITHOUT COST TO LOYAL FORD OWNERS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010611
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2003
Unknown Or Other
REFER TO ODI# 8017809. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #568304
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009997
46,580 miles · Mar 6, 2003
Suspension
OUR COUNTY AGENCY PURCHASED TWO FORD TAURUS VEHICLES NEW, IN 1998 AND 1999. AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 2003 WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. IN RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS IN 1998 ON THE 1993 FORD TAURUS AND IN 2001 ON THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND…
Read full complaint
OUR COUNTY AGENCY PURCHASED TWO FORD TAURUS VEHICLES NEW, IN 1998 AND 1999. AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 2003 WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. IN RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS IN 1998 ON THE 1993 FORD TAURUS AND IN 2001 ON THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE, HOWEVER I SEE NO RECALLS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 AND 1999 FORD TAURUS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS CONCERN WITH THE 1998 AND 1999 FORD TAURUS. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE COIL SPRINGS ON THESE VEHICLES AS WELL. THANK YOU.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008496
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WAS APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009669
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A STOP. APPLIED BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10007268
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2003
Suspension
THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009090
91,500 miles · Feb 24, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringInjury
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OM APARTMENT, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BUMPED THE CURVE AND TRIGGERED MY AIR BAGS, WHICH IN TURN EXPLODED AND CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE. THE FORD CERTIFIED DEALER IN MY AREA WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THE LADY O…
Read full complaint
I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OM APARTMENT, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BUMPED THE CURVE AND TRIGGERED MY AIR BAGS, WHICH IN TURN EXPLODED AND CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE. THE FORD CERTIFIED DEALER IN MY AREA WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THE LADY ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY FELT IT SHOULD, BUT NOT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING FROM A <1MPH IMPACT OF A TIRE INTO A CURB. FORD INSISTED THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS HAS REALLY BEEN HARD ON ME CONSIDERING MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS HESITANT TO COVER THE INCIDENT BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM NO COLLISION OCCURED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER, MY INSURANCE COMPANY FINALLY ACCEPTED CLAIM. ALTHOUGH IN RETURN MY RATES HAVE WENT UP AND I HAD TO TAKE A LOAN OF $500 TO COVER THE DEDUCTIBLE. EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAS BEEN RESISTANT TO HELP ME. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU OR I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD? THIS INCIDENT I MUST NOTE IS NOT THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A 1999 FORD TAURUS 92,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10008055
50,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Seat Belts
REAR SEATBELT DIFFICULT TO LATCH WTIH CHILD SEAT / BOOSTER SEAT PRESENT. WHEN USING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT WITH BUILD IN STRAPS IN COMBINATION WITH THE CENTER REAR SEAT LAPBELT WITH OPTIONAL STUD MOUNTED ON STRAP FOR SHOULDER BELT ATTACHMENT, THIS FLAW IS NOT THAT EVIDENT. ALTHOUGH, AS THE CHILD PROGRESSES INTO THE BOOSTER SE…
Read full complaint
REAR SEATBELT DIFFICULT TO LATCH WTIH CHILD SEAT / BOOSTER SEAT PRESENT. WHEN USING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT WITH BUILD IN STRAPS IN COMBINATION WITH THE CENTER REAR SEAT LAPBELT WITH OPTIONAL STUD MOUNTED ON STRAP FOR SHOULDER BELT ATTACHMENT, THIS FLAW IS NOT THAT EVIDENT. ALTHOUGH, AS THE CHILD PROGRESSES INTO THE BOOSTER SEAT STAGE AND HAS OUTGROWN THE WEIGHT OF THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY STAPS, THE USE OF A BOOSTER SEAT IN THE CENTER REAR WITH COMBINATION LAP BELT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO LATCH. THE ACT OF LATCHING THE SEATBELT CAN RANGE FROM FIRST TRY TO 20 OR 30 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT LATCHES. MULTIPLE FEMALE SEAT BELT RECEPTICLES WHERE USED, SAME EFFECT ON ALL. IT APPEARS THAT THE DEATCHABLE SHOULD BELT ASSEMBLY HAS A RATHER LARGE METAL BUCKLE THAT HAS SUCH A LARGE AREA THAT IT PREVENTS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLE FROM ALLOWING ENOUGH OF THE SEAT BELT SLOT TO ENTER THE RECEPTIBLE FOR THE EVIDENT CLICK. IF CAR IS NOT TAKEN, THE CAR SEAT MAY INADVERTANTLY BE LEFT UNBELTED IF THE CLICK IS NOT HEARD. ONCE THE BUCKLE DOES PERFORM THE "CLICK" IT APPEARS TO BE SECURE, BUT AS A DRIVER I CONSTANTLY WORRY ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THIS PROBLEM APPEAR TO SHOW MORE OFTEN DURING COLDER WINTER MONTHS. 40F AND BELOW.
NHTSA ODI #10007775
66,666 miles · Feb 18, 2003
Power Train
AT 66,666 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND APPLIED GAS AND IT JUST REVVED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. NOW ANY GEAR YOU PUT IT IN IT JUST REVVS. FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE.
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.
1999 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration