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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
91,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). CURRENTLY, THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE FORD G…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). CURRENTLY, THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE FORD GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. AS OF DECEMBER 2008, THE DEALER NO LONGER REPAIRS THE REAR SPRINGS AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 05/06/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO DISREGARD THE COMPLAINT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE SPRINGS. UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10265109

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2009
Seat Belts

IN MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE VEHICLE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT. KEEPS ON COMING ATTACHED FROM THE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE BELT ACROSS YOUR BODY. PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262017

135,030 miles · Jan 8, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE RUSTED AND ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE VEHICLE TOGETHER WAS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CONTACT D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE RUSTED AND ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE VEHICLE TOGETHER WAS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,030.

NHTSA ODI #10254225

50,000 miles · Oct 31, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ON THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE THAT I PURCHASED 4 YEARS AGO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED 4 TIMES! NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED, AND EVERY OTHER THING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED. WHEN I ASKED THE LAST MECHANIC WHY MY BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT, HE STATED THAT THIS SIZE OF FORD WAS NOT SUPPLIED…

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THE BRAKES ON THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE THAT I PURCHASED 4 YEARS AGO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED 4 TIMES! NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED, AND EVERY OTHER THING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED. WHEN I ASKED THE LAST MECHANIC WHY MY BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT, HE STATED THAT THIS SIZE OF FORD WAS NOT SUPPLIED WITH AN APPROPRIATE BRAKE FOR THE SIZE OF CAR. I ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE BRAKES. I THINK THIS IS A HORRIBLE ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FORD WILL DO FOR ME. I LIVE IN OREGON AND AM SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, BUT I DON'T DARE GO OVER ANY OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGES BECAUSE GOING DOWNHILL AND APPLYING THE BRAKES MAKES THE ENTIRE CAR SHIMMY AND IT FEELS LIKE I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THAT IT WON'T STOP. I HAVE TO MAKE WEEKLY TRIPS OVER THE MOUNTAINS, SO I ALWAYS RENT A CAR. THIS IS GETTING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE. I OWN MY CAR FREE AND CLEAR AND WOULD LIKE THE BRAKES TO STAY FIXED ONCE I GET THEM FIXED BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247385

104,000 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Visibility

I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. IN JANUARY 11, 2008, I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. ON JULY 15, 2008, THE PUMP STOPPED AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE 2000 MERCURY SABLES ARE ON RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MIGHT THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE BE LOOKED AT IN THIS LIGHT TO ASCERTAIN IF THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM? …

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I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. IN JANUARY 11, 2008, I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. ON JULY 15, 2008, THE PUMP STOPPED AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE 2000 MERCURY SABLES ARE ON RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MIGHT THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE BE LOOKED AT IN THIS LIGHT TO ASCERTAIN IF THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236516

110,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Seat Belts

REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS DO NOT WORK. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO EXTEND THE SEAT BELT ACROSS THE LAP AND SHOULDER OF THE PASSENGER. THUS IT IS UNSAFE FOR ALL PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND PREVENTS PROPER INSTALLATION OF ANY AND ALL CHILD SAFETY SEATS.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213497

34,526 miles · Jan 23, 2007
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS TONE RINGS CRACKED. THE DRIVER FELT THE ABS PUMP. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE TONE RINGS ARE WEARING AND CRACKED, AND THE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10179504

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

197,456 miles · Jan 17, 2007
Suspension

FRONT COIL SPRING ON A '99 SABLE, THE RECALL WAS ONLY GOOD UP TO 150 MILES AND MY CAR ALREADY HAD 197 MILES. FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE SPRING BECAUSE THE HAD A RECALL LIMIT. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 1.3 MILES NEVER BROKE A SPRING. HOW CAN FORD SET A LIMIT FOR THIS RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178992

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2007
Interior Lighting

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING 1999 MERCURY SABLE SHE HAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON FOR 40 MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED ON 1/7/07 AND WAS WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLES POWER WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED.*A…

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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING 1999 MERCURY SABLE SHE HAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE DOME LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON FOR 40 MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED ON 1/7/07 AND WAS WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLES POWER WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10177847

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.