1996 Ford Taurus: broken coil spring

Filed Mar 8, 2009 · Suspension · 147,000 miles · MI

1996 ford taurus gl, 147,000 miles. While trying to move the car the front left coil spring broke, puncturing the tire. Fortunately this was low speed, no one harmed. Requires new spring and tire at a minimum.

Filed Feb 12, 2008 · Suspension · 180,643 miles · KY · 1 injury

My wife was driving the car home from work, when her tire exploded. She called crying and very shook up. When I arrived the front right side of the car was on the ground. Apparently the coil spring shot off the strut assy and punctured the inner side wall of the tire. Fortunately she wasn't driving too fast and was able to keep control of the vehicle. This could have been a fatal incident! Upon looking on the internet for information about this situation, I learned that this is a major problem with ford taurus and there was a recall for only newer models of the same vehicle. Why is the same problem only recalled with only certain year of makes???? We didn't even know that this could've happened. I even checked for recalls for this car online. If I was informed of this recall, then I would've taken the car to the mechanic to put guards on the coil springs with my own money, because a life is way more important than money or a product. Please realize that this could've been very very bad and could happened to anyone.

Filed Oct 19, 2006 · Suspension · 47,898 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on normal road conditions, a clicking noise was heard coming from the front end,and also had steering difficulties. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the nearest auto repair shop where a certified mechanic determined the two front coil springs fractured. The dealership was contacted, and informed there was no recall for the vehicle. The manufacturer was also contacted, and coincided with the dealership information. The contact was very concerned because the mechanic informed about incidents where the tire was punctured by the fractured coil and the vehicle lost control of the steering. Updated 1/19/2007 -

Filed Oct 5, 2005 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · OH

I backed my 1996 ford taurus out of the garage after a couple of weeks sitting and the right front spring broke and punctured the right tire. There was no sagging of the car or warning that the spring was about to break. I towed the car to the dealer and both front springs were fixed.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Suspension · 135,000 miles · MI

I purchased a 1996 ford tarus that had sat for a year. Upon backing it out of the driveway the front spring broke. The car dropped down onto the tire slashing it open immediately. Then I inspected the other springs only to find that another spring had a break in it also. The springs were not rusty and the car had not been abused.

Filed Apr 11, 2005 · Suspension · MA

On my 1996 ford taurus - right front coil spring broke and caused broken spring to go into rf tire causing massive tire damage to sidewall. Failure was at low speed so no accident occurred. New coil spring and new tire were purchased & installed. I've read that tauruses of other years have been recalled for this important issue but not for the 1996 taurus. Mechanic told me these front coil springs should not brake and a mechanic friend informed me of this the federal safety agency web site. Ford needs to recall for this important safety failure and reimburse those who have paid for prior repairs. Thanks.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Suspension · 888,000 miles · MN

While driving front passenger coil spring punctured the tire. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Suspension · 119,000 miles · OH

While driving at 20 MPH front coil spring ruptured, puncturing the tire. Manufacturer offered no assistance.

Filed Dec 16, 2004 · Suspension · NJ

Recall campaign ; a fractured front coil spring caused the front tire to blowout. There was a recall issued for the 1999-2000 models only. *sc

Filed Aug 31, 2004 · Suspension · 175,000 miles · MD

While reversing consumer found a piece of the broken coil spring on the ground of the garage. The driver side coil spring broke and the coil punctured the front driver side tire. Recall 04v332000 was issued but this vehicle was not involved in the recall due to VIN. *ak

Filed Aug 5, 2004 · Suspension · NJ

While driving at 30 MPH,consumer heard a loud noise coming from wheel on passenger's side, and suddenly consumer lost control of vehicle. Consumer drove immediately to the shoulders. Consumer went underneath of the vehicle and saw that coil spring on the passenger's side broke.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Suspension · 66,500 miles · MD

While parked front driver side coil spring broke. As a result, the tire was punctured. *ak both front coil springs were replaced. The upper bracket also had to be replaced.