NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
22 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · May 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING FAILS WHENEVER THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET. THE BELT MUST DRY OFF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING FAILS WHENEVER THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET. THE BELT MUST DRY OFF BEFORE HE CAN GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/20/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10269527
12,000 miles · Jan 19, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MAY 22 2006, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE HEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE SHE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE OPERATES WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE READING, AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP GEA…
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TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MAY 22 2006, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE HEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE SHE PURCHASED IT. THE VEHICLE OPERATES WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE READING, AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP GEARS WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS PEDAL AND BACK FIRES WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. THE DEALER HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE FAILURES THAT THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCTOBER OF 2006 WAS THE LAST TIME SHE CORRESPONDED WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STILL HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP HER.
NHTSA ODI #10179139
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1999 MERCURY SABLE LS VIN - [XXX] CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM COPPER COUNTRY FORD 12/16/98 WARRANTY - 36,000 MILES / 6 YEARS ----------------------------------------------- AT APPROX 36,095 MILES OCT 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. SEEING AS HOW I WAS OVER THE WARRANTY, I CALLED THE FORD MO.…
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1999 MERCURY SABLE LS VIN - [XXX] CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM COPPER COUNTRY FORD 12/16/98 WARRANTY - 36,000 MILES / 6 YEARS ----------------------------------------------- AT APPROX 36,095 MILES OCT 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. SEEING AS HOW I WAS OVER THE WARRANTY, I CALLED THE FORD MO. CO AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY WOULD DO. TOWN & COUNTRY FORD (LOCAL FORD DEALER IN MY TOWN) SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME FOR THE LABOR ONLY. APRIL 11, 2005 WITH APPROX 38,000 MILES IT STARTED TO LEAK OIL. I TOOK IT TO TOWN & COUNTRY AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW OIL PAN GASKET. THEY REPAIRED IT AT MY EXPENSE. APPROX A MONTH LATER, IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN. TOOK IT IN, AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT... OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED SOME TWEEKING, SO THEY SAID. I TOOK IT TO HAVE ITS NORMAL 3000 MI OIL CHECK DAYS LATER, AND THE MAN WHO LOOKED AT MY ENGINE SAID THE FAN BELT WAS SHREDDED, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE SOMEONE WAS WORKING ON MY ENGINE DAYS PRIOR AND DID NOT FIX IT OR TELL ME ABOUT IT. I HAD THE FAN BELT REPLACED. OCT 13, 2005 MY CAR IS STILL LEAKING OIL. I TOOK IT TO TOWN & COUNTRY FORD, AND NOW THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE.....BECAUSE THE BLOCK IS CRACKED. I ASKED IF MAYBE THE OIL LEAK THAT HAD STARTED IN APRIL MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE CRACKED BLOCK, TO WHICH I NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. WHEN I ASKED WHY THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED, THE ANSWER I GOT WAS "ITS MADE OF ALUMINUM, AND SOMETIMES THESE THINGS HAPPEN." CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROX 40,000. I JUST CALLED THE FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY SAID THERE ARE NO PROGRAMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CAR TO HELP ME AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I REALIZE THAT IM OVER MILEAGE, AND THAT IM OVER THE WARRANTY....BUT I HAVE REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE? [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10139858
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
A BURNING ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TURNING ON THE HEATER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD PUT THE WRONG FLUID INTO THE COO…
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A BURNING ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TURNING ON THE HEATER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD PUT THE WRONG FLUID INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSING CORE TO FAIL. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10103119
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
FUMES INSIDE CAR NOTICED, AND A SLIGHT STRANGE SOUND FROM CAR WHEN RUNNING. WHEN TAKEN TO SHOP TO FIND PROBLEM, A CRACK WAS NOTICED AT THE Y SHAPED PIPE CONNECTING TO BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THIS THE WHOLE SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH THE CONVERTERS ARE FINE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10104255
70,000 miles · Sep 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I HAVE HAD 3 FREEZE PLUGS REPLACED IN ENGINE OVER PAST YEAR AND A HALF AT COST OF $500.00 I AM TOLD IF THE OTHERS RUST BEHIND THE ENGINE IT WILL BE ANOTHER $500.00 JUST HAD THE SYSTEM FLUSHED LAST YEAR, NOW IT IS RUSTY AGAIN. COOLING SYSTEM IS CORROSIVE! DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093214
53,000 miles · Aug 11, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ON THE NY STATE THRUWAY, WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE, THE CAR LOST POWER AND COMPLETELY STALLED OUT. IT WAS LATER FOUND TO HAVE THREE (3) CRACKED CAM SHAFTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10086664
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THEN BECAME FULLY ENGULFED. *PH *SC
NHTSA ODI #10058075
50,448 miles · Feb 11, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN STORM, ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ASSY BROKE CAUSING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY, I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I HAD REPAIRED AT LOCAL SHOP IN LONG ISLAND ,NY , MECHANIC SAID NEW REPLACEMENT UNIT WAS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN ORIGINAL INDICATING THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH DESIGN OF…
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WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN STORM, ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY ASSY BROKE CAUSING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY, I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I HAD REPAIRED AT LOCAL SHOP IN LONG ISLAND ,NY , MECHANIC SAID NEW REPLACEMENT UNIT WAS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN ORIGINAL INDICATING THAT THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH DESIGN OF ORIGINAL UNIT.HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURIES , ETC. I CHECKED RECALLS & THERE WERE NON RELATED TO THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE. I PAID $309.91 FOR REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. VIN# [XXX], I RETAINED BROKEN ORIGINAL PULLEY & BRACKET ASSEMBLY. *AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10057026
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED AS ENGINE OVERHEATED AND A COOLANT LEAK OCCURRED... DEBRIS IN COOLING SYSTEM CREATES A BLOCKAGE AND HEATER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. STILL OVERHEATS AFTER RADIATOR FLUSHES TO CLEAN SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC TO EITHER SELL THE CAR OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10045646
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.
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