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1998 Ford Taurus suspension complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Ford Taurus suspension problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 24, 2007 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard a loud clunking noise coming from the vehicle. He pulled over and noticed that the vehicle's front end was lower to the ground. He took the vehicle to the shop and they stated that the passenger side front coil spring failed. The repair shop replaced the spring. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

Filed May 17, 2007 · Suspension · 65,300 miles · MA

I own a 1998 ford taurus. After reading another report of malfunctioning of front coil springs I have decided to report the same type of incident which happened to the vehicle in 2005. The front left coil spring snapped and punctured the tire, the entire spring was lodged through the front driver's side tire - the vehicle was not drivable, and had to be moved on a flat bed tow truck to the repair shop, where both front coil springs had to be replaced.

Filed May 3, 2007 · Suspension · 62,257 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. While driving 20 MPH the driver's side front coils spring failed and damaged the front tires. There was a recall # 04v332000 concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. The manufacturer would not repair the vehicle because it was excluded from the recall. The current and failure mileages were 62,257.

Filed Feb 26, 2007 · Suspension · 99,511 miles · NH

While backing out of my driveway, I heard a grinding noise. I got out to investigate nothing was blocking the tires. I then pulled the car forward and heard a bang. The right front tire blew out due to the front suspension (spring). When the tow truck came (aaa) he said he has seen "many" taurus' that this happens to. I am glad I was not on the interstate when this happened...

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Suspension · 14,980 miles · PA

Front spring break

Filed Sep 20, 2006 · Suspension · 97,295 miles · PA

While going down road, the right front coil spring broke causing it to slice the front tire. This caused the replacement of both front coil springs, both front struts, as well as both strut mounts.

Filed Sep 7, 2006 · Suspension · 68,000 miles · PA

1998 ford taurus with 68000 miles. Front drivers side coil spring fractured. One full broken coil still on strut. Damaged rack and pinion steering unit. Only found problem after had looked at for loss of power steering fluid. Apparently coil failure pulled rack apart on end. Recall for 1999-2001 issued the federal safety agency #04v332/ford recall 04s17. See other websites with people with 1998 model year having same problem. Why wasn't recall extended to 1998 model year? Or was it? Car is in excellent shape and never in accident of any kind. Obviously the description in the recall fits my situation.

Filed Aug 2, 2006 · Suspension · 72,884 miles · OH

On saturday, march 11,2006, I parked my car in my carport at 7 pm, having driven 30 miles that day with no problems. It remained there until monday morning, march 13, 2006, when I discovered a flat front left tire. The aaa tower noticed the tire was completely destroyed by a coil which had broken off from the spring, preventing him from releasing the tire from the wheel. The ford dealer said my car was not included in the recall. However, my car clearly had the same problem. The spring break was clean, there was no rust, and there had been no provocation to cause a break. Had I been driving, there could have been a major accident. The repair bill was $875.00 to replace the front springs and struts and tire. The tower, ford dealer and both repair mechanics examined the coil that broke off. I do not have the part.

Filed May 29, 2006 · Suspension · 29,608 miles · NY

Vehicle is a se wagon, build date 8/4/1998. Purchased new 8/26/1998. Mileage at failure is 29,608 miles. While reversing at under 5 MPH, left front coil spring broke at lower retainer. The spring sliced through the inner sidewall of the tire. Contacted ford customer relationship center and was told that 1998 vehicles were not covered under any recall, only 1993 and 1999 through 2001. Ford would not do anything except record the failure. Total bill was $1,075 for replacing both front struts, two front sway bar links, 1 tire, alignment, and towing. Fortunately the failure occurred at low speed in driveway.

Filed May 25, 2006 · Suspension · 119,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while entering the vehicle a loud snapping noise was heard. While reversing out of the driveway, the front driver tire became flat. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 04v332000, regarding the front coil springs; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The consumer had both springs replaced at his expense. Updated

Filed May 24, 2006 · Suspension · NH

On april 24, 2006, I experienced a tire blow-out. I had the car towed to the ford dealership in keene and was told that it was caused by a broken front suspension spring. The tow driver had informed me of a recall for that particular problem. I was told that it was for 1999 taurus. My car is a 1998. I had to replace 2 front tires because of this and a spring. The bill totaled $537.78. I would like to have this looked into.

Filed Dec 28, 2005 · Suspension · 39,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while backing out of driveway, he heard a loud noise. After parking the vehicle, he realized he had a flat tire. The contact changed the tire, replacing it with the spare tire. When he drove the vehicle to an independent tire shop they found the front coil springs broke which punctured the front tire. The manufacturer was contacted and the vehicle is now at the dealership. *ak the consumer was informed a recall had been issued for the coil springs, however the consumer vehicle identification number was not included. Updated 01/19/06. *jb updated 02/22/06.

Filed Dec 3, 2005 · Suspension · 155,500 miles · ME

While backing out of our garage, the right front tire blew. The tire was sliced all around on the inside and was in two pieces. This vehicle has 4 new tires and I thought the tire had to be a defect. A local garage came to my house to change it with a spare studded tire that was in good condition. I drove 2 feet when that tire blew. It was obvious that it wasn't the tires. I had to have my vehicle towed to a garage. The mechanic had to replace the front right suspension spring coil and strut mount. He also replaced the left one; it was about ready to snap. I researched this problem on the internet and noticed that ford motor company had recalls on the front suspension coil springs for the 1997 and 1999 vehicles, but not 1998. I contacted ford motor company for any recalls for this vehicle year, as they had recalls on the previous year and year after. There wasn't any concern at all and no recalls; now I am stuck with a bill of $489.71. Luckily I wasn't on the highway going 65 MPH or it could have been tragic.

Filed Jun 22, 2005 · Suspension · 64,448 miles · MA

While backing out of my driveway I heard a grinding noise and my tire suddenly went flat. Removed the tire and saw that right coil spring broke puncturing the entire inner sidewall of the tire. The car was towed to the dealer who first said that all expenses would be covered including the tire due ford's recall for the exact same problem with their taurus. Then the service manager told me that my car was not covered under the recall because it's a 1998 taurus. It is plain to see there is a defect in the coil spring. This is the same exact problem the the 1999 -2001 ford taurus' recall. I'm surprised that ford will not stand behind this problem with their 1998 models.

Filed May 17, 2005 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · OH

Consumer stated, the spring that was a part of the strut assembley broke on the passenger front tire.

Filed Apr 28, 2005 · Suspension · 84,500 miles · MA

Front coil springs broke twice in six months on 1998, ford, taurus. I looked up recall information on the ford web site. I found out that there was a recall on 1999-2001 for the coil springs breaking. So I called customer support line and explained what the problem was. They said that there was nothing that they could do,they would put in a complaint. So I expressed my concerns about if im driving down the highway with my kids in the car and my tire explodes would they worry about it. Then?they said there was nothing that they could do,I have to just keep getting it fixed, and wait and see if a recall comes out. So I was wondering if there was anything that you people could do about this problem that I'm having with ford. Thank you.

Filed Mar 14, 2005 · Suspension · NY

Upon backing out of the driveway, moving approximately 10 feet, front coil spring broke, blowing the front left tire out. Recall 04v332000 concerning front coil spring was issued. *ak

Filed Mar 14, 2005 · Suspension · 114,533 miles · NH

13 march 2005, pulling out of our driveway, right front tire went suddenly flat. Removal of the tire showed that the spring on the right front strut broke, puncturing the tire. Looking at the fracture zone it appears that corrosion had started at a defect in the steel, creating a crack that eventually yielded to the applied stress and failed. Looks exactly like the problem in 1999 tauruses identified in the federal safety agency recall number 04v332000.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Suspension · WI

The federal safety agency recall campaign 04v332000; ford issued a front coil spring recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but the coil springs broke before the recall work was performed.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Brakes, Suspension · 54,000 miles · WI

Took 1998 ford taurus (duratec 3.0) in for cooling system flush and transmission flush. With only 54,000 miles, I was surprised to find a rear stabilizer bar was broken, and a front axle seal was leaking. Those are clearly materials defects, as we take expert care of this vehicle. I have also had problems with rotors since we drove the car off the lot. The poor quality rotors the factory installs on these cars contributes to warping, which would be noticeable by a pulsing when braking from highway speeds.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Suspension · NY

The vehicle was pulling out of the garage. In the process of doing so he heard an unknown grinding noise coming from the front. He proceeded to pull back into the garage and pulled the left front tire off. He discovered that the front coil spring was broken off the vehicle. Please describe details.

Filed Feb 16, 2005 · Suspension · 77,143 miles · KY

While pulling out of the driveway the front coil spring broke without warning. As a result, the front passenger side tire was punctured. *ak there was a cut on the inside of the sidewall. The consumer also had a 2001 ford taurus that was recalled for the problem and a 1993 model that experienced the same. *sc

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Suspension · 68,471 miles · OH

While driving 15 MPH consumer heard a loud noise, and then vehicle's front shifted down on the driver's side and stopped moving. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the front coil spring broke, damaged the sway bar, and punctured the front tire on driver's side. Dealer was notified.*ak

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Suspension · 74,540 miles · MI

While traveling out of town, had the left front coil spring break on my 1998 taurus station wagon, destroying the tire. Repair shop told me there was a recall on something similar, contacted local ford dealer who said the recall only covered 1999 - 2001 ones. Had both front springs and tire replaced, along with an alignment. After returning home, I checked out the details of the recall on the federal safety agency website. Interesting to see that I wasn't the only one with a 98 that had the same problem as was covered under the recall program. Contacted ford customer service directly, they told me there wasn't anything they could do since my car was not in the recall. Contacted my local ford dealer, who said he would talk to the district service rep to see if ford would cover my repair costs. Rep said that they would not cover the repairs. Dealer recommended that I hang onto my paperwork in case the recall was expanded in the future.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Suspension · 131,000 miles · IN

While driving 15 MPH the front coil spring broke without warning. As a result the front passenger side tire was punctured. A manufacturer's recall 04s17 was issued for that coil spring, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed Jan 6, 2005 · Suspension · DC

The front coil spring broke and punctured the tire. *bf this incident happened during a rain storm. *sc

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Suspension · FL

A loud noise was heard coming from the front. Vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove to the dealer for inspection mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Oct 27, 2004 · Suspension · DC

Ford taurus 1998, driver's side spring coil cracked. *bf the consumer stated there should be a formal investigation regarding the coil springs on 1998 taurus.

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Suspension · 118,998 miles · MI

While driving home from the airport on may 14, 2004, my 1998 ford taurus experienced a broken front driver side coil spring. I was traveling approximately 40 MPH at the time. The front end of the vehicle dropped down so that the front tire was rubbing on the body of the car (generating tire smoke). I immediately pulled over to the side of the road to survey the damage. It was evident that if I drove the car any farther even more damage would occur. Unfortunately, this breakdown occurred in a local prison area where posted signs warn people not to pick up hitch hikers. This made it challenging for me to find someone who would let me use their phone to call a tow truck. I had the car towed to a local garage to get it back roadworthy. To make that happen, I had to purchase 2 new coil springs, 2 new front struts, a new strut mount, 2 new front sway bar links, and a front end alignment. It then took me a few days to feel comfortable driving on any road surface that had bumps on it. In july I became aware of the recall activity associated with 1999-2001 taurus and sable sedans for coil spring breakage. I contacted ford and was informed that this recall did not apply to 1998 models. It appears there may be an issue with 1998 vehicles also. Hopefully, more people will utilize this site to document additional incidents to re-open an investigation.

Filed Jul 24, 2004 · Suspension · 118,947 miles · KY

Purchased vehicle from government agency. Drove vehicle 197 miles to my home. Parked at back of driveway until could transfer title and purchase insurance. Was mowing grass backed up car about three feet. Heard a loud "thud/pop" with the sound or air escaping, pulled forward about five feet. Tire was flat. I thought I had a "blow-out" thought it was odd because had a new set of tires with less than 400 miles on them. Asked son to put the donut on so I could take the tire to goodyear for replacement. Was the left front tire inside part of tire looked as if someone had taken a knife and cut the tire. Upon returning from the tire dealer my son pointed out the broken coil spring on the left front (drivers) side. Had car towed to a local garage for repair. The tow truck driver and the mechanic at the garage stated they had never seen a coil spring fracture. Let alone one fracture in three place the way the coil spring did on this vehicle. Paid to have both front springs shocks and struts replaced. Heard about recall for taurus and sable 899,000 on radio station. So I stopped by local ford, hudson in madisonville ky, they could find no information about a recall involving my VIN. Was given ford customer relation 800 number. Called and was essentially told that it was my problem that my VIN was not involved in the recall. Asked to speak to a supervisor, she returned my call somewhat timely, but reiterated that my vechicle was not involved in the recall, and it was my problem. In the mean time I visited your site and found four complaints with 1998 taurus's with almost identical coil spring fractures. It is my opinion that the recall needs to be expanded and/or the investigation needs to be reopened. The ford customer relation person said their engineers had not determined there is a problem. I think if you wait until ford takes action hell will be froze over.

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