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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
72,000 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

RE: 1999 FORD TAURUS: VIN # [XXX] MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD TAURUS FROM NORTH POINT FORD IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, ON FEB. 16, 2001. SINCE NOVEMBER 2002, WE HAVE HAD THE CAR AT TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THREE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS TRYING TO GET THE HEATER FIXED. SO FAR IT HAS COST US $1,324.21. DURING T…

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RE: 1999 FORD TAURUS: VIN # [XXX] MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD TAURUS FROM NORTH POINT FORD IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, ON FEB. 16, 2001. SINCE NOVEMBER 2002, WE HAVE HAD THE CAR AT TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THREE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS TRYING TO GET THE HEATER FIXED. SO FAR IT HAS COST US $1,324.21. DURING THE MOST RECENT REPAIR, NORTH POINT FORD TOOK APART THE ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM, FLUSHED EACH COMPONENT AND FOUND RUST IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH THEY SAID WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AT PRESENT, THE HEATER IS WORKING, BUT WE FEEL WE ARE DUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WHEN WE BOUGHT IT WITH 29,891 MILES. (THE CONTRACT STATES 28,890 AS THE DEALER DENIED OUR REQUEST TO LIST THE CORRECT MILEAGE.) WE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY AT A COST OF $1,733 AT NORTH POINT FORD. THE BIG SELLING POINT WAS THE WARRANTY WOULD COVER ALL MAJOR REPAIRS SUCH AS THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER SYSTEM. THE WARRANTY IS HANDLED THROUGH WARRANTECH AUTOMOTIVE, P.O. BOX 1179, BEDFORD, TX 76095. THE CONTRACT # IS 14747754; THE CONTRACT PLAN CODE IS CV60100UKD; THE SELLING DEALER CODE IS 718688 AND THE LOCAL AGENT CODE IS 183. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY COMPANY HAS PAID VERY LITTLE TOWARD THE REPAIRS, CLAIMING THEY ARE "MAINTENANCE." I HAVE LOCATED SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE INTERNET. AMONG THEM IS #01-15-6 "HEATER CORE - REPEATED FAILURE" AND #01-11-6 "COOLING SYSTEM - CORROSION/CONTAMINATION/OVERHEATING." WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT ON THE 1999 TAURUSES, FORD SENT THE VEHICLES FROM THE FACTORY WITH A HIGHLY CORROSIVE COOLANT. THIS WOULD EXPLAIN THE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE HEATER CORE FAILURE AND COOLANT SYSTEM CORROSION. [XXX] FROM THE FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES CALLED AUG. 5 TO SAY FORD IS UNWILLING TO HELP AND I MUST TAKE UP THE FIGHT WITH THE WARRANTY COMPANY.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10030868

14,000 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Tires

THE CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES HAD MAJOR CRACKS ALL OVER THE SURFACE OF THE SIDEWALL, WHILE THE TWO REAR TIRES HAD FINE CRACKS ON THE SURFACE OF THE SIDEWALL. *MR *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031940

56,334 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10026363

27,500 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Tires

CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT TIRE BEGAN TO COME APART, DUE TO THE TREAD TARING OFF. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10031616

50,000 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Seat Belts

VEHICLE'S REAR SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE, THEY WOULD RETRACT OR PULL OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10031608

51,377 miles · Jul 26, 2003
Suspension

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. MY CAR HAD ONLY 51,377 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH COIL SPRINGS, 2 GAS STRUTS, 2 UPPER PIVOT STRUT MOUNTS, 2 SWAY BAR LINKS, AND 1 CONTINENTAL LEFT FRONT TIRE WITH ONLY 5,000 MILES ON IT REPLACED. IT COST $ 1,204.93. IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR IT. I'VE HEARD THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEV…

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THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. MY CAR HAD ONLY 51,377 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE BOTH COIL SPRINGS, 2 GAS STRUTS, 2 UPPER PIVOT STRUT MOUNTS, 2 SWAY BAR LINKS, AND 1 CONTINENTAL LEFT FRONT TIRE WITH ONLY 5,000 MILES ON IT REPLACED. IT COST $ 1,204.93. IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR IT. I'VE HEARD THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL FORD MODELS. THE PLACE THAT I TOOK IT TO SAID THEY DID A TAURUS FOR THE SAME EXACT REASON THE WEEK BEFORE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029269

76,000 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSON IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STAY IN NEUTRAL LIKE GEAR WHILE ACCELORATING, HIGH RPM'S REACHED WITHOUT CHANGING GEARS OR PICKING UP SPEED. SPEEDOMETOR GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING FROM TIME TO TIME USUALLY DURING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK TO SPECIALIST WHO QUOTED $2,300 TO FIX NOW MORE IF COMPLETELY GOES OUT. SPECIALIST STATED …

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TRANSMISSON IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STAY IN NEUTRAL LIKE GEAR WHILE ACCELORATING, HIGH RPM'S REACHED WITHOUT CHANGING GEARS OR PICKING UP SPEED. SPEEDOMETOR GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING FROM TIME TO TIME USUALLY DURING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK TO SPECIALIST WHO QUOTED $2,300 TO FIX NOW MORE IF COMPLETELY GOES OUT. SPECIALIST STATED IT WAS THE THIRD 1999 FORD TAURUS SEEN THIS YEAR ALONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029091

28,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Suspension

FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND DAMAGED THE BEARINGS. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND SMELLED RUBBER. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND A BROKEN SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LIGHT SCUFF MARKS ON THE TIRE, AND A DAMAGED BEARING. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024322

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024015

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2003
Air Bags

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT AIR BAG PROBLEMS. STATED THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF THE DEALER, AND WAS UNABLE TO .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029590

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.