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 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04517 FROM FORD IN AUGUST 2004. TRIED LAST YEAR TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE, BUT FORD INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN. NOW, THEY HAVE THE PARTS AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF. RECEIVED ANOTHER POSTCARD IN MAY 2005 SAYIN…
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DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04517 FROM FORD IN AUGUST 2004. TRIED LAST YEAR TO HAVE RECALL REPAIRS DONE, BUT FORD INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN. NOW, THEY HAVE THE PARTS AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF. RECEIVED ANOTHER POSTCARD IN MAY 2005 SAYING THAT THE DEALER COULD NOW ORDER THE PARTS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ON AUGUST 22, 2005 BECAUSE THEY JUST GOT THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID THE LINKAGE WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL, BUT HAD TO REMOVE THE OLD COIL SPRINGS ORDER TO PUT THE NEW ONES ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10133883
59,900 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TOTAL CASASTROPIC BRAKE FAIURE. WITH MY WIFE DRIVING WE ENCOUNTERED A TOLL PLAZA ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NEW JERSEY. MY WIFE ATTEMPED TO SLOW THE CAR AND AT THAT POINT EXCLAIMED, "I HAVE NO BRAKES"....WE WENT THOUGH THE TOLL BOOTHS AND STOPPED THE CAR ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY USING THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I OPENED …
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TOTAL CASASTROPIC BRAKE FAIURE. WITH MY WIFE DRIVING WE ENCOUNTERED A TOLL PLAZA ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NEW JERSEY. MY WIFE ATTEMPED TO SLOW THE CAR AND AT THAT POINT EXCLAIMED, "I HAVE NO BRAKES"....WE WENT THOUGH THE TOLL BOOTHS AND STOPPED THE CAR ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY USING THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE. I OPENED THE HOOD, AND CHECKED THE LEVEL OF BRAKE FLUID, IT WAS FULL. I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. I TOO FOUND THE BRAKE PEDAL ON 'ON THE FLOOR' WITH NO STOPPING POWER, EVEN AT LOW CRAWL/IDLE SPEED. I AGAIN STOPPED THE CAR USING THE ONLY MEANS, THE PARKING BRAKE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED USING A NEW JERSEY AUTHORIZED TOW COMPANY TO THEIR FACILITIES. THEY CHEKED THE CAR, DROVE IT, PULLED ALL FOUR WHEELS AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND FOUND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE MY PROBLEM, BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. WE DROVE HOME ABOUT 150 MILES USING CAUTION AND THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AS THEY ARE WORKING NOW. WE ARE TWO MATURE, WELL EXPERIENCED DRIVERS, AND I AM IN THE AUTO PARTS/REPAIR BUSINESS. I KNOW WITH CERTAINTY THAT I HAD NO BRAKES AT THE TOLL PLAZA, AND MY WIFE CONFIRMS THAT. BRAKE PEDAL WAS ON THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT EVEN HOLD THE CAR STILL AT IDLE SPEED. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG, BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGERIOUS DEFECT, WHICH CAN CAUSE MANY FATALITIES. THERE SHOULD BE REDUNDANTCY IN THE BRAKKE SYSTEM AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, WHATEVER THE REASON. THE CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NECESSARY. I HAVE NOT DECIDED ON A FURTHER COURSE OF ACTION AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #10129660
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2005
Suspension
DT : THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE COULD HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, AND THEY SAID SPRING BROKE AND THE FIXED IT WITH A USED PART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125236
42,000 miles · Apr 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
LAST THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, I HAD LEFT MY HOUSE TO FILL THE GAS TANK ON MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE TANK WAS JUST ABOUT FULL WHEN A CHILD WALKED BY AND SHOUTED, HEY MISTER, SOMETHINGS COMING OUT FROM UNDER YOUR CAR. SURE ENOUGH, THE SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT AND I BOTH LOOKED, AND GASOLINE WAS POURING, AND I MEAN POURING FRO…
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LAST THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, I HAD LEFT MY HOUSE TO FILL THE GAS TANK ON MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE TANK WAS JUST ABOUT FULL WHEN A CHILD WALKED BY AND SHOUTED, HEY MISTER, SOMETHINGS COMING OUT FROM UNDER YOUR CAR. SURE ENOUGH, THE SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT AND I BOTH LOOKED, AND GASOLINE WAS POURING, AND I MEAN POURING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. I CALLED AAA AND IMMEDIATELY HAD THEM TOW THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER, CHAPMAN FORD, IN BRIDGETON, NJ. THEY HAVE REPLACED A CANNISTER HAVING TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS, AND SOME OTHER PARTS. I AM JUST LUCKY THAT THIS KID CAME BY, OR I MIGHT HAVE BEEN DRIVING A FIREBOMB. I AM WAITING, AND HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ONE WEEK, TO HAVE THE FORD FACTORY REP CALL ME. I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BILL, SINCE THE CAR HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT, BUT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERS LOCATION AS OF TODAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10118704
76,000 miles · Apr 23, 2005
Steering
STEERING VERY NOISY AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. YOU PRACTICALLY HAVE TO ENTER THE OTHER LANE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A CORNER. THIS IS NOT GOOD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10118310
66,765 miles · Apr 18, 2005
Steering
THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. *AK THE TURNING RADIUS WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WITHOUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE EN…
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THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. *AK THE TURNING RADIUS WAS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WITHOUT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ENTERING THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD BEING TURNED ONTO. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10114986
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2005
Suspension
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V332000; FORD ISSUED A FRONT COIL SPRING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT HAD THE LEFT FRONT COIL BREAK OFF. FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE COIL SINCE IT WAS A BREAK AND NOT A FRACTURE OF THE PART.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10115445
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2005
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH SECURELY EVERYTIME. SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARANT REASON. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO. I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS SO IT IS UNKNOWN IF PROBLEM EXTENDS TO THE OTHER SEAT BELTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112587
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2005
Suspension
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V332000 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER MAGARET. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED UNTIL IT BROKE. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10111270
30,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Suspension
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V332000 CONCERNING COIL SPRINGS. OWNER STATED THAT THE DEFECT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE GUARD COVERING THE COIL SPRING FAILED TO PREVENT THE BROKEN SPRING FROM DAMAGING THE TIRE. THIS DEFECT HAD OCCURRED TWICE. *AK
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.
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