The contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. She stated that the mechanic noticed that there was a crack on the passenger side front coil spring. They stated that the road salt could be a possible cause of the crack. The mechanic made the replacement. The failure and current mileages was 85,000. The VIN and engine size was unavailable.

- Kane, PA, USA

My wife and I own a 1999 Ford countour. In August 2004, I had a broken left-front coil spring replaced by a private mechanic with a used part from the identical make/model vehicle. In May 2005, the vehicle was rejected during a nys vehicle inspection for a broken left-front coil spring. After checking on internet and finding a pattern of similar coil spring breakage in recent Ford vehicles - including a warranty extension for the 1998 Contour - I called Ford customer service to request an adjustment, but was informed that the 1999 Contour was not covered by any extended warranty relating to this very common defect and that no adjustment would be made. Why has Ford continued to utilize this defect-prone coil spring design on numerous models, and why is there no extented warranty in place for the 1999 Contour as there is for the 1998 model?

- Central Square, NY, USA

The front coil springs broke while the vehicle was sitting in the driveway. The owner heard a loud noise and went to investigate, it was then discovered that the coil springs had broken tearing into the front tire and causing the front suspension to drop to the ground. The flat tire was on the passenger's side of the vehicle.

- Waretown, NJ, USA

While backing out of the driveway driver's side front coil spring snapped. As a result, the tire was punctured.

- Sturbridge, MA, USA

I purchased a used 1999 Ford Contour from a private party on 6/21/04. When I had the required state of Vermont inspection done on 6/30/04 a broken right front coil spring was discovered. This is a historic problem, and severe safety hazzard on the Ford Contour series, as sudden tire failure is commmon with this breakage. Years 1995 through 1998 have been recalled for this issue. The problem for the 1998 model year was not discovered until 2001, and a recall was issued that same year. Therefore, I believe that Ford was still using the defective parts when my car was built in 9/98. This seems to be a prevalent problem as Ford is backordered on replacement parts for over a month. It is my feeling at this time that the 1999 model should be subject to a safety recall for this problem.

- Derby Line, VT, USA

While vehicle was parked front coil springs snapped, and vehicle became inoperative. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Buffalo, NY, USA