IllustrationPOWER STEERING PUMP SEAL HAD DRASTIC LEAK. THIS CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO STEAR THE VEHICLE. SUCH DIFFICULTY IN STEARING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH.*AK
1999 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus 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
220–25K
6925–50K
8650–75K
7475–100K
64100–150K
22150K+
337 reports with mileage · 537 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 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
61 crash reports16 fire reports46 injury reports
Steering complaints
106 reportsRACK AND PINION SEAL LEAKS FLUID INTO THE RIGHT HAND BOOT AND THEN THE GROUND, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND FAILURE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFTY AND LOYALTY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE STEPS TO CORRECT THIS CONSISTANT DEFECT QUITE COMMON IN THIS MODEL.*A…
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RACK AND PINION SEAL LEAKS FLUID INTO THE RIGHT HAND BOOT AND THEN THE GROUND, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND FAILURE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFTY AND LOYALTY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE STEPS TO CORRECT THIS CONSISTANT DEFECT QUITE COMMON IN THIS MODEL.*AK
POWER STEERING FAILURE- STEERING PUMP GROWLING AND WHINING WAS FOLLOWED BY OVERFLOW OF POWER STEERING FLUID AROUND CAP. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP ($200) WHICH WORKED FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES BEFORE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AGAIN. REPAIR SHOP IS NOW DIAGNOSING PROBLEM AS RACK AND PINION SEAL LEAKAGE ISSUE A…
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POWER STEERING FAILURE- STEERING PUMP GROWLING AND WHINING WAS FOLLOWED BY OVERFLOW OF POWER STEERING FLUID AROUND CAP. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP ($200) WHICH WORKED FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES BEFORE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AGAIN. REPAIR SHOP IS NOW DIAGNOSING PROBLEM AS RACK AND PINION SEAL LEAKAGE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT AT ANOTHER $ 200+ FOR PARTS PLUS 2+ HOURS OF LABOR. PURCHASED THIS CAR 11 MONTHS AGO WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT. FORD SAYS IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I WILL REMEMBER THAT WHEN I BUY MY NEXT CAR!*AK
POWER STEERING SQUEAKS AND MAKES NOISES WHEN TURNING CORNERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.*AK CONSUMER NOTED THEY WOULDN'T REPAIR THE PUMP AT FIRST, BUT AFTER A FEW PHONE CALLS, THEY REPLACED IT. IT STARTED TO RUN FINE AFTERWARDS. *P…
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POWER STEERING SQUEAKS AND MAKES NOISES WHEN TURNING CORNERS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.*AK CONSUMER NOTED THEY WOULDN'T REPAIR THE PUMP AT FIRST, BUT AFTER A FEW PHONE CALLS, THEY REPLACED IT. IT STARTED TO RUN FINE AFTERWARDS. *PH
JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY STEERING. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE POWER STEERING FLUID. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS WHEN I HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET BACK HOME. I PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT JUST DISAPPEARED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I TOOK…
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JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY STEERING. FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, I HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE POWER STEERING FLUID. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS WHEN I HAD TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE TO GET BACK HOME. I PUT IN POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT JUST DISAPPEARED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE WAS AMAZED WHEN HE SAW MY POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING OUT OF THE RACK. THE SEAL HAD BROKEN BADLY. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. I EXPECT I WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE CAR PROBLEMS AS WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT I ALMOST FELL TO GROUND WHEN I WAS TOLD HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM JUST REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. I HAVE ALWAYS SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF FORD AND I AM SURE I STILL WILL AND I AM SURE MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL BE A FORD. I JUST FOUND IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THIS MAJOR SO SOON. SAD THING IS, I FEEL EVEN WORSE AFTER LEARNING THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND THERE WAS SO MANY OTHERS. EVEN NOW, MY CAR DOES NOT FEEL THE SAME. I HAVE GOT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS BECAUSE THE WHEEL HAS STARTED TO TIGHTEN UP AGAIN.
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED BOTH CV BOOTS AND RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING STEERING TO FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
MY 1999 FPRD TAURUS SE WITH 47,995 MILES HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP BREAK AND SPRAY POWER STEEING FLUID THROUGHTOUT THE CAR, THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS GONE, LEAKING EVERYWHERE, AND THE DEFROST, FAN, AND BLOWER HAVE STOPPED WORKING.*AK
THERE WERE STEERING POWER PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT, AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN A YIELD TO THE RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT ON TURNS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT…
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THERE WERE STEERING POWER PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT, AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN A YIELD TO THE RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND DIFFICULT ON TURNS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT TURNS. THE FRONT SEAL WAS FOUND BUSTED AND LEAKED OUT OF THE CLUSTER COVER. *SCC *JB
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. AT 44,000 MILES THE RACK AND PINION SEALS BEGAN LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE CV BOOTS. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, PUMP NOISE, AND PUMP OVERHEATING. THE RACK AND PINION IS GOING TO GET REPLACED AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP IS GOI…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. AT 44,000 MILES THE RACK AND PINION SEALS BEGAN LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE CV BOOTS. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID, PUMP NOISE, AND PUMP OVERHEATING. THE RACK AND PINION IS GOING TO GET REPLACED AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO TRY TO GET FORD TO PAY FOR PART OF THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK
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.