← New search

1999 Mercury Sable

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

98 reports with mileage · 160 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports4 fire reports15 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

20 reports
Clear category filter
125,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR PROPERLY SECURE THE PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE); THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR PROPERLY SECURE THE PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE); THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10473148

98,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE ANCHORAGE AND WOULD NOT PULL OUT OR RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE ANCHORAGE AND WOULD NOT PULL OUT OR RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10336640

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2009
Seat Belts

IN MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE VEHICLE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT. KEEPS ON COMING ATTACHED FROM THE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE BELT ACROSS YOUR BODY. PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262017

110,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Seat Belts

REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS DO NOT WORK. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO EXTEND THE SEAT BELT ACROSS THE LAP AND SHOULDER OF THE PASSENGER. THUS IT IS UNSAFE FOR ALL PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND PREVENTS PROPER INSTALLATION OF ANY AND ALL CHILD SAFETY SEATS.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213497

86,000 miles · Mar 20, 2006
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DID NOT LOCK RESULTING IN FORWARD MOTION, WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO STRIKE THE DASH PANEL AREA. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DID NOT LOCK RESULTING IN FORWARD MOTION, WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS TO STRIKE THE DASH PANEL AREA. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE HAD MODERATE DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10153231

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2005
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH SECURELY EVERYTIME. SEAT BELT BECOMES UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARANT REASON. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE TWO YEARS AGO. I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS SO IT IS UNKNOWN IF PROBLEM EXTENDS TO THE OTHER SEAT BELTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10112587

36,270 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Seat BeltsSteering

REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL 99V25000. ALSO, RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SEAL LEAK.*AK *TC

NHTSA ODI #10101044

40,300 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Seat Belts

FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT SEAT BELT TWISTED ACROSS THE DRIVER'S CHEST INSTEAD OF LYING FLAT. *AK DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR DEFECT DUE TO WARRANTY ISSUES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10066746

69,600 miles · Apr 24, 2004
Seat Belts

THE REAR SEAT BELTS SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AT ALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING TO DEALERSHIP THE WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 5 YEARS 50000 MILES. SO IS FORD SAYING THAT AFTER THIS WARRANTY IS UP ON MY 1999 SABLE THAT MY FAMILIES LIFE IS WORTHLESS.. ALL SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE WARRANTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, …

Read full complaint

THE REAR SEAT BELTS SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AT ALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING TO DEALERSHIP THE WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 5 YEARS 50000 MILES. SO IS FORD SAYING THAT AFTER THIS WARRANTY IS UP ON MY 1999 SABLE THAT MY FAMILIES LIFE IS WORTHLESS.. ALL SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE WARRANTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, NOT 5 YEARS 50000 MILES..SHOULDN'T ALL SATEY RELATED EQUIPMENT IN VEHICLES BE WARRANTED FOR LIFE? THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT SHOULDER BELTS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE REAR SEATBELTS ALSO. THEY BOTH HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME AND THAT SHOULD SAY SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THEM. THESE SEATBELTS HAVE NOT BEEN ABUSED OR WEAR AND TEAR IS A BAD CALL ON THIS ONE.. THIS CAR IS ONLY IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND WEAR AND TEAR DOES NOT PLAY INTO THIS AT ALL..THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO..*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067763

80,000 miles · Feb 28, 2004
Seat Belts

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ON MY 99 MERCURY SABLE DOES NOT LATCH AND LOCK ALL THE TIME. IT GOES IN AND ACTS LIKE IT LATCHES (SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES OUT) UNTIL A FAIR AMOUNT OF FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE SEAT BELT AND IT RELEASE'S FROM THE SEAT BELT LATCH. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN MULTITUDES OF TIMES EVEN THOUGHT I TRY AND REMEMBER TO DOU…

Read full complaint

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ON MY 99 MERCURY SABLE DOES NOT LATCH AND LOCK ALL THE TIME. IT GOES IN AND ACTS LIKE IT LATCHES (SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES OUT) UNTIL A FAIR AMOUNT OF FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE SEAT BELT AND IT RELEASE'S FROM THE SEAT BELT LATCH. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN MULTITUDES OF TIMES EVEN THOUGHT I TRY AND REMEMBER TO DOUBLE CHECK THAT THE SEAT BELT IS SECURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10060011

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.