Investigation PE04044: 1999–2000 Ford Taurus

Status

CLOSED

Opened

May 24, 2004

Closed

Aug 16, 2004

Model years

1999–2000

Subject

Front suspension coil spring fracture

Component: Suspension › Front

Summary

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.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2000 Ford Taurus1,195 complaints
• 1999 Ford Taurus874 complaints