IllustrationTRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED TWIC WITHIN 8 MONTH PERIOD. *AK
1999 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sable years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1825–50K
3050–75K
1875–100K
16100–150K
8150K+
98 reports with mileage · 160 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
258 reportsWHILE PARKING ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STARTED TO RACE AND ONLY QUICKLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A HARD FASHON PREVENTS A POSSIBLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A TWO LANE ROAD I SAW A TIRE TREAD SHOOT IN FRONT OF MY VECHICLE. I THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY AUTOMOBILE I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THE ENTIRE CAP PART OF THE TIRE WAS MISSING. ONLY THE SIDE WALLS REMAINED. IT TOOK ME QUITE SOME TIME TO OBTAIN…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A TWO LANE ROAD I SAW A TIRE TREAD SHOOT IN FRONT OF MY VECHICLE. I THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY AUTOMOBILE I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THE ENTIRE CAP PART OF THE TIRE WAS MISSING. ONLY THE SIDE WALLS REMAINED. IT TOOK ME QUITE SOME TIME TO OBTAIN TOW SERVICE BECAUSE I HAS IN A DEAD ZONE FOR MY CELL PHONE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHICH CHANGED MY TIRE SAID HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE OLD CAP. I WAS SO TIRED FROM THIS ORDEAL AND LONG WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK AFTER HAVING TO WALK UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET A CELL SIGNAL THAT I DID NOT THINK TO SAVE THE CAP. CONTROLLING THE CAR TO A STOP WAS VERY STRESSFULL. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE MAG WHELL AND TO THE GUARDS THAT SURROUND THAT TIRE. I HAD THE DEALER EXAMINE THE REMAINING 3 TIRES BUT FOUND THEM TO LOOK OK. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THIS DEALER AT A LITTLE OF 35000 MILES.I AM FEARFULL THAT THE REMAING TIRES WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER TOOK DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE FORWARDED TO THE ENGINEERS AT FORD.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ADUR442368 TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)
WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER HAS TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE FOR VEHICLE TO STOP RACING. *JG *AK
1) RACK & PIONION ROD: AT APPROXIMATELY 55000 MILES, THE RACK AND PINION SEAL BLEW OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO VIABLE REASON FOR THIS COMPONENET TO FAIL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS WERE APPROXIMATELY $700. 2) FRONT AXLE/ABS:…
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1) RACK & PIONION ROD: AT APPROXIMATELY 55000 MILES, THE RACK AND PINION SEAL BLEW OUT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO VIABLE REASON FOR THIS COMPONENET TO FAIL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS WERE APPROXIMATELY $700. 2) FRONT AXLE/ABS: A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING BEGAN AND RESULTED IN BRAKES SLIPPING AND VIBRATING, CAUSING A SOUND OF METAL ON METAL. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RING/GEAR ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE AXEL WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE GEAR SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 3/8" FROM THE BOLTS FOR THE FRONT WHEELS. HOWEVER, IN THIS INSTANCE, THE GEAR HAS BEEN GRINDING AWAY THE BOLTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE GEAR "SLIPPING" IT IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE SAME SPOT. THIS CAUSES METAL SHAVINGS TO FALL ONTO THE ABS SENSOR AND RESULTS IN THE ABS NOT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH DUE TO THE ABS NOT WORKING. FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO FIX THIS ITEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEAR THAT THE CAR ORIGINALLY CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH THIS PROBLEM.*AK
RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE NO ACCIDENT OCCURED, IT WAS BY LUCK. *AK
HARD UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR PULLING AWAY. ONCE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IT WOULD HAVE A TENDENCY AT TIMES TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE BRAKE WAS ON.. UPON TAKING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, THE DEALER FOUND CLUTCH MATERIAL IN TRANSMISSION THE SS3 WAS STICKING, THE ACCUMULATOR O-RING WAS CUT THE FORWARD DRUM CK.VALL STIC…
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HARD UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR PULLING AWAY. ONCE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IT WOULD HAVE A TENDENCY AT TIMES TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE BRAKE WAS ON.. UPON TAKING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, THE DEALER FOUND CLUTCH MATERIAL IN TRANSMISSION THE SS3 WAS STICKING, THE ACCUMULATOR O-RING WAS CUT THE FORWARD DRUM CK.VALL STICINT OVERDRIVE BAND BURNED AND NEEDED TO EXCHANGE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY THE TRANY WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, NOW THE REPAIRED ASSY IS ONLY COVERED FOR 12000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS WHICHEVER COMES FIRST AND WE ARE NATURALLY CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT BE A DEFECT AS THE FORD TAURES SEEMED TO HAVE TRANY PROBLEMS IN THE 1197 TO 1999 RANGE WHICH IS WHY WE DID NOT BUY ONE BUT WENT WITH THE SABLE AFTER CHECKING NHTSA REPORTS RE: THE VEHICLE ITSELF. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON, FOR 1 TO 3 SWIPES THEN SHUT BACK OFF, STARTLING THE DRIVER. SOON TO HAVE YOUNG DRIVER IN HOUSEHOLD. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T END IN ACCIDENT FROM DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEEL BEARING HAS GONE BAD, VEHICLE IS NOT MAKING NOISES, AND STEERING HAS BECOME HARDER TO CONTROL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS, HOWEVER THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BECAUSE SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS SMASHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED …
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CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS, HOWEVER THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BECAUSE SIDE OF VEHICLE WAS SMASHED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
Official recalls
504V332000 · 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
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.