Front suspension coil spring fracture

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Ford vehicles. Closed 29 April 2003.

Investigation
PE02080
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
22 October 2002
Closed
29 April 2003

What NHTSA investigated

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.

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
FordTAURUS1999
MercurySABLE1999

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.