NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
258 reports96,600 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Suspension
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A REAR SUSPENSION SQUEAK DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A BROKEN REAR COIL SPRING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SQUEAK. THE PART OF THE SPRING THAT RESTED IN THE SPRING SEAT HAD FRACTURED SEVERAL INCHES FROM THE END OF THE COIL. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH COIL SPRI…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A REAR SUSPENSION SQUEAK DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT A BROKEN REAR COIL SPRING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE SQUEAK. THE PART OF THE SPRING THAT RESTED IN THE SPRING SEAT HAD FRACTURED SEVERAL INCHES FROM THE END OF THE COIL. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH COIL SPRINGS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF THE UNBROKEN SPRING FRACTURING, PUNCTURING THE TIRE AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I PAID FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND HAD THE REAR STRUTS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME TO RESTORE THE CAR'S ORIGINAL RIDE QUALITY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10173529
60,000 miles · Oct 28, 2006
Wheels
REAR LEFT TIRE CONSISTENTLY LOW, EVEN AFTER BEING FILLED AND RE-FILLED ON A WEEKLY BASIS. AFTER TAKING TO A SERVICE STATION, MECHANIC STATED THE RIM WAS FAULTY AND TIRE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE RIM. THEY SEALED THE TIRE TO THE RIM. AFTER HAVING ALL TIRES REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUE WITH SAME REAR LEFT TIRE. DIFFER…
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REAR LEFT TIRE CONSISTENTLY LOW, EVEN AFTER BEING FILLED AND RE-FILLED ON A WEEKLY BASIS. AFTER TAKING TO A SERVICE STATION, MECHANIC STATED THE RIM WAS FAULTY AND TIRE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE RIM. THEY SEALED THE TIRE TO THE RIM. AFTER HAVING ALL TIRES REPLACED A FEW MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUE WITH SAME REAR LEFT TIRE. DIFFERENT MECHANIC ALSO STATED UPON INSPECTION THAT RIM WAS WARPED. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOR ABUSED. RIMS ARE STANDARD MANUFACTURERS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172060
170,000 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A HOUSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT IT DID NOT HELP IN PREVENTING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE PEDALS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A HOUSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT IT DID NOT HELP IN PREVENTING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE PEDALS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND GLASS IN HER EYES. THE CONSUMER'S ANKLE WAS CRACKED AND HAD TORN LIGAMENTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170035
58,486 miles · Oct 2, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR A BROKEN ROD, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM THE CENTER SEAM. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK, BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10169724
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2006
Power Train
TRANSMISSION TEMPORARILY FAILS TO SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167310
40,000 miles · Jul 31, 2006
Steering
WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE THROUGH ANY PUDDLE OF WATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILS, THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS; THE STEERING FAILS AS YOU TRY TO MAKE A TURN!!!!!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10163956
102,641 miles · Jul 24, 2006
Steering
THE STEERING GEAR ASSY BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE MERC DEALER. THE MECHANIC WOULD NOT EVEN TEST DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163307
70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WAS DRIVING IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC NEAR HOLLAND TUNNELS IN NYC WHEN BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WENT TO STOP AND PEDAL TRAVELED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. 2 HOUR WAIT FOR TOW TRUCK, SO DECIDED TO TRY DRIVING AGAIN AFTER 1 HOUR. BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY THEREAFTER, ALTHOUGH A LITTL…
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WAS DRIVING IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC NEAR HOLLAND TUNNELS IN NYC WHEN BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WENT TO STOP AND PEDAL TRAVELED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. 2 HOUR WAIT FOR TOW TRUCK, SO DECIDED TO TRY DRIVING AGAIN AFTER 1 HOUR. BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY THEREAFTER, ALTHOUGH A LITTLE SPONGY AT FIRST. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161871
94,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Visibility
MY MERCURY SABLE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU USE THE BLINKER AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE JUST HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL. ESPECIALLY ON A SUNNY DAY, THIS DEFECT IS A STARTLING OCCURRENCE AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY OTHER TWO 1999 FORD VEHICLES. MY 1999 EXPEDIT…
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MY MERCURY SABLE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU USE THE BLINKER AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE JUST HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL. ESPECIALLY ON A SUNNY DAY, THIS DEFECT IS A STARTLING OCCURRENCE AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY OTHER TWO 1999 FORD VEHICLES. MY 1999 EXPEDITION DID THE SAME THING AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER THE FORD PROGRAM NUMBER 00B40. MY 1999 TAURUS ALSO DID THE SAME THING AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 36,000-MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. IF IT HAS HAPPENED TO THREE 1999 VEHICLES IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD, I AM SURE THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD AND A SAFETY RECALL IS IN ORDER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156491
97,000 miles · Apr 27, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR 1999 MERCURY SABLE [XXX] AFTER AN ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF OUR CAR HIT THE SIDE OF A MINI-VAN WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO TIP THE MINI-VAN OVER. POLICE ESTIMATED WE WERE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55…
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AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON OUR 1999 MERCURY SABLE [XXX] AFTER AN ACCIDENT. THE FRONT OF OUR CAR HIT THE SIDE OF A MINI-VAN WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO TIP THE MINI-VAN OVER. POLICE ESTIMATED WE WERE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10156205
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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