NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE02080

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE: Suspension**

CLOSED

no recall issued

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1999 FORD TAURUS -- 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. Investigation was initiated on October 22 2002. Closed on April 29 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE02080 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE04044

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE: Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs**

RECALL »

Recall #04V332000

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1999 FORD TAURUS -- 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. Investigation was initiated on May 24 2004. Closed on August 16 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE04044 »