NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Seat Belts complaints
60 reportsClear category filter67,473 miles · Mar 26, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED IT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO OBJECTS THAT SHE COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THE CRASH OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008. THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T ENGAGE TO KEEP HER FROM HITTIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED IT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO OBJECTS THAT SHE COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THE CRASH OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008. THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T ENGAGE TO KEEP HER FROM HITTIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 67,473. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10222418
77,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PULL OUT TO BE USED, THEREFORE SHE CANNOT RESTRAIN ANYONE IN THE REAR SEATS. BOTH SEAT BELTS FAILED WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER. SHE STATED THAT THE REAR SEATS ARE RARELY USED, THEREFOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT PULL OUT TO BE USED, THEREFORE SHE CANNOT RESTRAIN ANYONE IN THE REAR SEATS. BOTH SEAT BELTS FAILED WITHIN ONE MONTH OF EACH OTHER. SHE STATED THAT THE REAR SEATS ARE RARELY USED, THEREFORE THE FAILURE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE OR IMPROPER USE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE IS BEYOND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE BELTS AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $476. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 99V250000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200457
96,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. THE FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW RETRACTOR. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,000 AND FAILUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. THE FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW RETRACTOR. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193605
88,920 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RETRACTOR SEIZED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT BELT TO EXTEND FOR USE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INDICATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING AFTER 5 YEARS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168380
134,700 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT WEBBING ON 07/07/06. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE TOOK THE MECHANISM APART, RETRACTED THE WEBBING, AND THEN THE WEBBING WOULD NOT EXTRACT AT ALL. THE OCCUPANT CAN NOT USE THE SEAT BELT AND THERE ARE NO PICTURES OR REPAIR INVOICE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT WEBBING ON 07/07/06. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE TOOK THE MECHANISM APART, RETRACTED THE WEBBING, AND THEN THE WEBBING WOULD NOT EXTRACT AT ALL. THE OCCUPANT CAN NOT USE THE SEAT BELT AND THERE ARE NO PICTURES OR REPAIR INVOICES AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON 07/25/06 TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT LOCKING MECHANISM BUT IT WAS NOT PURCHASE DUE TO THE COST.
NHTSA ODI #10163797
25,000 miles · Apr 4, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT OR IT WILL LOCK BEFORE IT IS FASTENED INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V250000 REGARDING THE SEATBELTS FRONT: ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REC…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT OR IT WILL LOCK BEFORE IT IS FASTENED INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V250000 REGARDING THE SEATBELTS FRONT: ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10154546
14,700 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Seat Belts
1999 FORD TAURUS REAR CENTER SEAT LAP/SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY. CHILD WAS TAKING SEAT BELT OFF AND THE ATTACHMENT FELL APART. THE LATCH PLATE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND THE BELT IS NOT USABLE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A CRASH OR THIS BELT WOULD HAVE FAILED ALLOWING MY CHILD TO BE INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154433
75,450 miles · Jan 27, 2006
Seat Belts
REAR PASSENGER SEAT 3-POUNT SAFETY BELT FAILURE. BELT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT AND FUNCTION AS A USABLE SAFETY DEVICE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $69.07 FOR THE BELT AND $145.00 LABOR. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE. IN 2004, THE REAR DRIVER SEAT 3-POINT BELT ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148846
47,622 miles · Sep 20, 2005
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT BECAME UNUSABLE. TWO OTHER SEAT BELTS IN SAME CAR WERE REPLACED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAME PROBLEM. A FOURTH SEAT BELT WORKS, BUT WITH DIFFICULTY. PAID DEALER TO REPLACE UNUSABLE SEAT BELT. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS PROBLEMS AND SOME RECALLS WITH SAME MODEL CAR BUT DIFFERENT RELEASE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137047
20,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Seat Belts
DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPE…
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DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPERLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10132641
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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