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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

874 reports
97,000 miles · Mar 7, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING HIGH. THIS CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE HIGH IDLE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING HIGH. THIS CONFIRMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE HIGH IDLE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10184454

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2007
Suspension

1999 FORD TAURUS CUSTOMER HAS CONCERN ABOUT RECALL 04V332000 **CC THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL, HOWEVER WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184778

99,106 miles · Feb 16, 2007
Suspension

TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1998 FORD TAURUS WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 99106 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER SNOWY CONDITIONS AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT HAS THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V332000 REGARDING SUSPENSIO…

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TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1998 FORD TAURUS WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 99106 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER SNOWY CONDITIONS AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT HAS THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V332000 REGARDING SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL, AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10182797

114,000 miles · Feb 11, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON OUR 1999 FORD TAURUS, WE DROVE OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY GOING TO THE MAIL BOX AND WHEN WE HIT THE BRAKES THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. IF WE HAD BEEN GOING FASTER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE BRAKE LINE TO T…

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WE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON OUR 1999 FORD TAURUS, WE DROVE OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY GOING TO THE MAIL BOX AND WHEN WE HIT THE BRAKES THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. IF WE HAD BEEN GOING FASTER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE BRAKE LINE TO THE BACK BRAKES SPLIT AND LEAKED ALL THE FLUID WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE, ARE THESE CARS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BACK UP SYSTEMS?*JB

NHTSA ODI #10182252

60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2007
Suspension

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS FOUND A SAFETY RECALL 04V33200 ON THE1999 FORD TAURUS REGARDING SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE HIS VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LIVES IMMEDIATELY ACROSS THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM IOWA WHICH IS INCLUDED, AND HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY H…

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TL* - THE CONTACT HAS FOUND A SAFETY RECALL 04V33200 ON THE1999 FORD TAURUS REGARDING SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE HIS VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LIVES IMMEDIATELY ACROSS THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM IOWA WHICH IS INCLUDED, AND HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HIS VEHICLE IS EXCLUDED. THE CONTACT IS NOT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE, BUT HE BELIEVES THAT HIS DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE THE SAME AS VEHICLE OWNERS IN THE STATE OF IOWA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10179452

46,200 miles · Jan 21, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY WIFE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 99 TAURUS WAGON (46K MILES). SHE WAS STARTING OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE SO THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS THIS VEHICLE HAS A DUAL DIAGONAL SYSTEM FOR SAFETY. UNFORTUNATELY THE DIAGONAL PART IS WHAT DID IT IN AS THE TWO LINES RUNNING TO THE REAR…

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MY WIFE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 99 TAURUS WAGON (46K MILES). SHE WAS STARTING OUT OF HER PARKING SPACE SO THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS THIS VEHICLE HAS A DUAL DIAGONAL SYSTEM FOR SAFETY. UNFORTUNATELY THE DIAGONAL PART IS WHAT DID IT IN AS THE TWO LINES RUNNING TO THE REAR WHEELS WERE RUN TOGETHER AND BOTH ROTTED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10179280

111,075 miles · Jan 2, 2007
Suspension

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW DRIVER IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE MODEL. I CHECKED ON FORD'S WEB SITE AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS. FORD AGREED TO FIX THE COIL, BUT NOT THE TIRE IT PUNCTURED. THEY SAY I WAS INFORMED BY MAIL, ALTHOUGH I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE. I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR S…

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FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW DRIVER IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE WITH THE MODEL. I CHECKED ON FORD'S WEB SITE AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS. FORD AGREED TO FIX THE COIL, BUT NOT THE TIRE IT PUNCTURED. THEY SAY I WAS INFORMED BY MAIL, ALTHOUGH I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE. I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE 4-5 X PER YEAR AND WAS NEVER, NOT EVEN ONCE, TOLD THEY COULD DO THE RECALL AT NO CHARGE WHILE MY CAR WAS THERE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR RECALL NOTICE, POSSIBLY BECAUSE I HAVE MOVED 2X SINCE BUYING THE CAR. THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF MY ADDRESS CHANGE EACH TIME I MOVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177597

39,000 miles · Dec 26, 2006
Suspension

I HAVE A 1996 FORD TAURUS AND A 1999 FORD TAURUS. I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS (2 WITH THE 1996 MODEL AND ONE WITH THE 1999 MODEL) WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES HAVE BLOWN DUE TO LOW INFLATION PRESSURE. I HAVE ROTATED TIRES, CHANGED BRANDS OF TIRES, REPLACED VALVE STEMS, ETC. YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS; THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES ALWAYS LO…

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I HAVE A 1996 FORD TAURUS AND A 1999 FORD TAURUS. I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS (2 WITH THE 1996 MODEL AND ONE WITH THE 1999 MODEL) WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES HAVE BLOWN DUE TO LOW INFLATION PRESSURE. I HAVE ROTATED TIRES, CHANGED BRANDS OF TIRES, REPLACED VALVE STEMS, ETC. YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS; THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES ALWAYS LOSE PRESSURE AT A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RAPID RATE THAN ANY OF THE OTHER THREE TIRES. THERE MUST BE SOME ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION, OR SOMETHING. THESE TIRES HAVE NOT HAD ANY ABNORMAL STRESS OR DAMAGE DUE TO HITTING CURBS OR ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176969

65,472 miles · Nov 23, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY WIFE WAS PULLING UP TO PICK UP FOR HER PRESCRIPTION WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE IT FAILED. STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILURE. 18 FOOT OF STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174120

125,000 miles · Nov 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FORD MOTOR CO. KNEW ALL ALONG THIS WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT. I GET THE CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I HAVE AN AUTISTIC DAUGHTER AND MY MOTHER WHO HAS RHEUMATOID A…

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I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FORD MOTOR CO. KNEW ALL ALONG THIS WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT. I GET THE CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I HAVE AN AUTISTIC DAUGHTER AND MY MOTHER WHO HAS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS THAT I NEED TO USE THIS CAR TO TAKE TO DOCTOR APPTS. AND SUCH. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AN $1100.00 PROBLEM, NOR CAN I AFFORD TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER CAR. I AM UPSET, ANGRY, HURT, AND OTHER EMOTIONS I CANNOT DESCRIBE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT I CAN CONTACT? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172871

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.