NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
874 reports40,500 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING IN A SMALL TOWN I EXPERIENCED A LOSS IN BRAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN HAD IT TRANSPORTED TO A GARAGE. THEY FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. THIS CAUSED FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKES. ON FURTHER INSP…
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WHILE DRIVING IN A SMALL TOWN I EXPERIENCED A LOSS IN BRAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN HAD IT TRANSPORTED TO A GARAGE. THEY FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. THIS CAUSED FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKES. ON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM THEY FOUND THAT THEIR WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE REAR BRAKES. THIS LEAK WAS CAUSED BY EXTERNAL CORROSION OF THE LINE. I THOUGHT THAT THESE LINES WERE STAINLESS STEEL, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED DUE TO SALT ON THE ROADWAY. IF THE LINES ARE NOT MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL, THEY SHOULD BE. THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE LEAK IN THE LINE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, BUT DID NOT BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. I LOST THE COMPLETE STOPPING POWER OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294977
106,000 miles · Nov 11, 2009
Seat Belts
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT, 2ND SEAT SEATBELTS HAVE NOT RETRACKED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE OF OUR USED FORD TAURUS WAGON. BACK SEAT BELTS ALSO TWIST THEMSELVES AND ARE CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE RESTRAINED AND THIS CAUSES BIG PROBLEMS. SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT WHY …
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THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT, 2ND SEAT SEATBELTS HAVE NOT RETRACKED PROPERLY SINCE PURCHASE OF OUR USED FORD TAURUS WAGON. BACK SEAT BELTS ALSO TWIST THEMSELVES AND ARE CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE RESTRAINED AND THIS CAUSES BIG PROBLEMS. SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED BEFORE A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY HAS OCCURRED?? ACCORDING TO MY OLD INSURANCE SITE-THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE SEATBELT PROBLEM BUT THE FORD SITE DOESN'T LIST IT UNDER MY VIN #. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291894
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2009
Interior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A CAR DEALER. SINCE I PURCHASE MY BOLTS TO THE BACK BRAKES CAME OUT. FRONT END IS MAKING NOISES ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. BACK WINDOW IS READY TO BREAK OFF MISSING PASSENGER SIDE HINGE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE. BRAKES SQUEAL. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR EXAMPLE THE…
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I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A CAR DEALER. SINCE I PURCHASE MY BOLTS TO THE BACK BRAKES CAME OUT. FRONT END IS MAKING NOISES ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. BACK WINDOW IS READY TO BREAK OFF MISSING PASSENGER SIDE HINGE TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE. BRAKES SQUEAL. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY FOR EXAMPLE THE POWER DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK, THE POWER SEAT DOES NOT ADJUST WHEN YOU PUSH THE BUTTON, THE TRUNK CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY, THE DOORS HAVE TO BE UNLOCK MANUALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289514
96,719 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. DURING STATE INSPECTION, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 04V332000(FRONT COIL SPRINGS). NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 96,719.
NHTSA ODI #10286687
199,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR HAS A SHORTAGE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WAS ALWAYS WET DUE TO A LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
NHTSA ODI #10286084
78,280 miles · Aug 13, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE: HAVING WORKED ON CARS FOR 40+ YEARS AND OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS, IT WAS A SURPRISE TO SUFFER TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT EVER HAVING THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATE A FAILURE. FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, ALL MY VEHICLES HAD A PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE CIRCUIT WITH A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH THAT…
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TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE: HAVING WORKED ON CARS FOR 40+ YEARS AND OWNED MANY VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS, IT WAS A SURPRISE TO SUFFER TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT EVER HAVING THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATE A FAILURE. FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, ALL MY VEHICLES HAD A PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BRAKE CIRCUIT WITH A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH THAT WOULD LATCH AND LIGHT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS A PARTIAL BRAKE FAILURE WAS CAUGHT BY THE WARNING LIGHT. MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED QUICKLY AS DRIVING WITH ONE CIRCUIT IS DANGEROUS. THE 1999 FORD TAURUS HAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH, NO KIDDING! IF ONE DOES NOT MAKE PANIC STOPS AS A REGULAR PART OF DRIVING, IT IS EASIER THAN ONE WOULD THINK TO HAVE A PARTIAL FAILURE GO UNDETECTED (DESPITE THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN EXTRA PEDAL TRAVEL). WHEN THE SECOND CIRCUIT FAILS THE RESULT IS TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE, THE SAME TYPE OF THINKING AS THE FORD PINTO FUEL TANK. FORGET THE CUP HOLDER, SPEND THE MONEY ON THE SAFETY SWITCH!!! I SHUDDER TO THINK OF PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS MISSING SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280341
145,000 miles · Aug 9, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO REAR BRAKE LINES CORRODING AND RESULTING FLUID LOSS. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TAURUSES OF THIS ERA. FAILURE OCCURRED NEAR THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. CAR IS AWAITING REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279818
62,000 miles · Jun 23, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AUTOMATIC POWER-TRAIN. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING ,CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND HEATER CORE NEEDS REPLACEMENT . WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT SHIFT SOLENOID NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274710
59,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. SHE WAS ABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, BUT THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V250…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. SHE WAS ABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, BUT THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V250000, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10274666
84,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE ORIGINATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, WHICH IS COMMON IN SOME FORD SUV'S. THE CURRENT AND FAILUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD HAVE ORIGINATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, WHICH IS COMMON IN SOME FORD SUV'S. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10268539
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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