1992 Ford Taurus: broken coil spring

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Suspension · 43,689 miles · IA

The vehicle is a 1992 ford taurus wagon. On july 26, 1996 the coil springs broke puncturing the front tire while backing out of the service department of midas for an oil change. Ford at the time said there were no recalls on the vehicle so therefore it was repaired at midas. This morning, february 3, 2005 the coil springs again broke puncturing the driver's side front tire and will again need necessary repairs totally approximately $450.00. Called ford said there were never any recalls on this year vehicle but information from the internet indicated that ford motor company recalled nearly 900,000 ford taurus and mercury sable 1999, 2000, and 2001 sedans stating in cold weather states salt from roads could corrode and fracture the cars' front coil springs and they were installing protective shields in the recalled vehicles. My concern is that even though this model is older and there were no recalls what is the safety of driving this vehicle? I wonder what the outcome would be had this vehicle had the coil spring break while on the freeway...would you be able to maintain control of the car? The safety of this vehicle greatly concerns us.

Filed Aug 2, 2001 · Suspension · MI

Left front strut coil spring broke, causing end of broken coil spring to slice open tire, causing a tire blowout and suspension of car dropping, resulting in damage to front tie-rod end as weight of vehicle fell on steering mechanism. Speed at break around 5 MPH as daughter was pulling away from stop. This is daughter's vehicle; and, she paid bill from her college savings. Considering mileage & age, I think ford should at least pay for 50% of total bill ($618). Ford customer serv. Rep. Told me there was in fact a recall, but my VIN # doesn't qualify me for a refund. Judging from your other logged complaints, there seems to be a major fault with ford's reasoning on who's elegible and who's not. Thank you for having this site for these defect investigation and checking into this complaint.

Filed May 11, 2001 · Suspension · MN

I discovered that both front coil springs had broken. They both broke on the outside lower coil.

Filed Apr 20, 2000 · Suspension · NY

In march of 1997, the left front spring on my mother margarets car fractured/failed unexpectedly. As a result, that side of the car basically collapsed to the ground and could not be driven without doing significant damage to the tire and other suspension components. The car was then towed to the closest automotive repair shop, who determined that the front spring had indeed failed/fractured. The cost of the repair was $426.70 in july of 1998, I (daniel zehler - son of margaret) received a recall letter from ford having to do with a similar/identical defect on 1993 taurus and sable vehicles. It turns out that I own a 1993 taurus. Per the recall letter, the safety defect is as follows: "the front coil springs on your vehicle can fracture if the vehicle is operated in high-corrosion areas of north america for an extended period of time. Depending on the location of the fracture on the spring there is some possibility that the tire can be damaged. A fractured spring can cause one side of your vehicle to be lower than the other, can result in clunking or rattling noise or can cause the vehicle to ride roughly." in the what will ford do category, the letter states that ford is providing additional warranty coverage for front spring replacement, regardless of mileage, through december 31, 2001. In the what should we do category, the letter states that "if either of the vehicle's front springs should fracture during the extended warranty period, contact your dealer. At no cost to you/us, the dealer will replace both front coil springs." in the meantime, so as to prevent tire damage should the spring fracture, ford has developed a special plastic protective shield, which has been installed on our 1993 taurus. As the 1992 & 1993 taurus models are virtually identical, it is my opinion that the recall on the 1993 taurus's should also apply to the 1992's as our defect seems to be identical to that which ford has already agreedefect onthe car was then towed to the.

Filed Mar 7, 2000 · Suspension · OH

Driver side front coil spring broke while backing out of a parking space. The upper section of the coil spring dropped below the lower spring seat assembly and fell to the bar of the strut mount. This caused the spring section to contact the back side of the tire and the brake line, resulting in a potentially dangerous condition. *ak

Filed Jan 28, 2000 · Suspension · IA

Both front coil springs broke, and cut though left front tire. Tire went flat, consumer felt this was very dangerous if going fast at all. Dealer would not repair. Consumer felt that coil springs were designed improperly. *ak

Filed Aug 27, 1999 · Suspension · WI

While driving at approximately 35mph a spring broke in half and punctured the tire.

Filed May 10, 1999 · Suspension · PA

Front coil springs broke, shreading the tire.

Filed Apr 7, 1999 · Suspension · PA

Frontleft coil spring broke due to corrosion which could cause the tire to deflate.

Filed Sep 23, 1998 · Suspension · PA

Defective coil springs caused struts to fail, recall component however vehicle denied due to VIN #.

Filed Aug 20, 1998 · Suspension · PA

While driving the front coil spring broke , cutting the tire off. Dealer rpaired defect. Manufacturer notified.

Filed Aug 19, 1998 · Suspension · CT

While checking underneath the vehicle noticed that the coil spring was broken. Took vehicle to dealer & service manager said they need to order the parts.