2001 Ford Taurus: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Suspension · 65,101 miles · MI

While driving on a city road my 2001 ford taurus had a blowout on the lr tire. The coil spring was broken in several places which caused part of the spring to gouge the inside wall of the rear tire. Had to replace both rear coil/shock assembly in the vehicle.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Tires · 43,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns goodyear assurance comfort p195/60/r15 tires. The contact experienced tread separation just after 40,000 miles. The contact purchased the same tire for a 2001 ford taurus and a 2001 ford focus. Both the vehicle dealer and tire store stated that the problem was tread separation but the tire manufacturer disagreed. The tires were rotated at 35,000 miles and failed 5,000 miles later. The dot number and VIN were unavailable at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. The consumer stated one of the tires that had just been inspected, went flat while driving on the highway. Updated 08/23/10 updated 08/19/10*bf updated 09/09/10. *lj updated 09/14/10

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Suspension · 122,500 miles · WI

I have a problem with my 2001 ford taurus that I feel is a safety issue. My concern with my vehicle is that I discovered that it has three broken springs, one of which came very close to causing damage to my tire, I discovered this after I heard a loud noise from the front of the car. Upon investigating I discovered a broken front spring. Following this I discovered both rear springs were broken as well. I thought it was very odd to have three broken springs on the same car. Researching this problem on the web I found this to be a very common problem. I contacted a ford dealer for service and was informed that ford has extended the warranty period for the front springs but not the rear. I feel this is a safety issue and should require ford to recall and fix this problem. Observing how close the spring was to making contact with the tire I feel there could have been severe consequences should the spring cause sudden tire failure. I believe that a springs sudden failure would have the potential to cause handling problems as well. Again, three spring failures? It would appear this may be a manufacturing problem such as a defective heat treating process or inferior steel used in the manufacturing of the springs.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Suspension · 71,000 miles · MI

2001 ford taurus model sel . Rear coil springs. I purchased this car in 2004 with 35,000 miles and now has 71,000 miles. Garage kept, wife drives. There was a recall on the front causing me to have protective shields placed around front coils due to possible blowout if coil broke, obviously some had broke. I had to have both rear coil springs replaced on 2/2/10 at a cost of $390 parts only. I'm 65 years of age and have never had a vehicle with two broken springs on the rear. I submit that one of the coils had shifted and could have blown out rear tire. I don't think dealerships are not seeing these repairs due to age and labor per hour at a dealership. A private mechanic repaired mine and reports having repaired others. I believe these coils on this model are defective , front and rear. Nothing has been said about the rear coils or any protective device to prevent a blowout.

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Suspension, Tires · 28,000 miles · MA

We own a 2001 ford taurus with about 28,000 miles on this vehicle. I am handicap and this is the vehicle that we use to get me to appointments, etc. We are very lucky that the front tire exploded while my husband was backing out of our driveway and not while we were already driving on the highway or where ever! We had the car towed to our mechanic and he told us that the tire exploded because of the front spring coil. Once we found out the cause, I looked on the internet for any issues or recalls for this problem, and low and behold there is a recall because of the front spring coils. We then had the vehicle towed to the ford dealership that we bought the car from. They are fixing the car now. Yesterday we were told by the dealership that there is a problem with the rear spring coils and that they also need to be replaced. There is not a recall on the rear spring coils, even though I have been researching this issue for the last few days and it appears that ford should have an active recall on the rear spring coils. Ford needs to step up and issue a recall for the rear spring coils. We have been told the ford will not pay for the tire that exploded (btw: the 2 front tires were just replaced this past summer) and they won't pay for the rear spring coils to be replaced, even though they have to be replaced! I thought that ford made safe vehicles, but I now know that is not the case. Ford needs to do something before something serious happens to somebody. I am extremely disappointed!!!

Filed Jan 12, 2010 · Suspension · 28,000 miles · MA

Front and rear spring coils are damaged. My husband was backing out of our driveway an as he did, the front driver's side tire exploded. We had the car towed to a mechanic and we were told that the spring coil punctured the tire. We were then informed that all of the coil needed to be replaced not just the front coils. After we found out about the front coils, we contacted ford and we were told to bring it to a dealership because the front coils were covered because of a recall. Once we got the car to a dealership, they then told us that there was an issue with the rear coils and that the rear coils were that covered under the recall. I have been doing a lot of research and I have found out that all of the coils need to be replaced. Fyi: we have a 2001 ford taurus with 28,000 miles (yes, that is 28,000 miles). I would like a reason why all there isn't a recall on all of the coils, especially since it appears to be a problem with these cars? Also, the both front tires are less than a year old. Ford needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility before there are more accidents and maybe even deaths!

Filed Jun 26, 2009 · Suspension · 74,000 miles · NY

In march of 2009 I had a front spring blow out on my 2001 ford taurus. At that time ford replaced them under a recall, however ford refused to pay for a new tire which a set of new had been installed in feb. 2009 and the towing bill. Now the right rear spring has done the same thing and destroyed another tire. The mechanic at my local ford tells me the repair is 280.00 not including another tire and towing. He also stated to me that ford should have recalled these cars for the rear spring also, because they've had as much trouble as the front. Luckily both instances happened at a low speed. I believe it is up to your agency to push for a mandatory recall, before someone driving on a highway get seriously injured or killed! Or does the last sentence have to happen first!

Filed Apr 1, 2009 · Suspension · 92,873 miles · MA

My husband was driving the vehicle when the rear tire blew making the car undrivable. It was towed to a mechanic who found that both of the rear springs had snapped. I was told that had he been traveling at a higher speed he most assuredly would have either been seriously injured or killed. The cost of the repair so far has totaled almost $900 dollars. Ford has acknowledged that they know about this problem and my front springs are also about to snap. Ford stated that the front springs are recalled but the rear are not because there have not been any fatalities yet. I hope that it does not take a death or serious injury to get ford or the nhsta to make ford own up to its responsibility.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Suspension · 68,860 miles · IL

2001 ford taurus with 69,000 miles has a broken rear coil spring. There is a problem with the front coils which ford will fix no charge under 04m04 customer satisfaction guarantee but it does not cover the rear springs. In the event of the back spring working it's way to the tire there has been rear tire blowouts with extensive damage to the vehicle itself and a danger to the driver and passengers. At this time my mother was informed that this was being looked into as a mandatory recall. I feel since they have had problems with the front and have acknowledged the defect that there is also a problem with the rear springs of those same years. Parts required to correct problem are new coils both sides. We took it to the dealership and the service manager said he thinks there should be a mandatory recall but he did not have the authority to make that decision and referred me to you. The cost to my mother which is on a fixed budget is 600.00 and she cannot afford it. The service manger advised her to get it fixed before it caused numerous problems which would not be covered even though the damage occurred from the broken coil spring. At this time there has not been any dangerous occurrences but there are a possibility of them happening at any time. Please look closer at this dangerous situation and make it mandatory to have ford motor company fix this problem. Thank you brad farrow

Filed Aug 27, 2008 · Suspension · 62,125 miles · KS

Both rear coil springs on our 2001 ford taurus sel rusted through and broke. The broken coil springs then fell down past the spring seat and the jagged, broken edge of the springs cut the inner side wall of both rear tires. The right rear tire blew out as a result of this while we were traveling 35 miles per hour. Both rear tires needed to be replaced. Fortunately no one was injured. This is a safety hazard! If this would have happened at highway speed or while in a curve, this could have been a terrible accident! Please make ford install coil spring seat extensions and new coil springs on the rear of these cars to prevent the coil springs from falling into the tire area, this was done on the front coil springs for this car and should also be done on the rear before someone gets terribly injured or killed! Please do not wait until then to do something! This could be prevented! I am also mailing you a letter describing this problem with photos of the tires, springs, etc. *tr updated 09/08/08.

Filed Apr 19, 2008 · Suspension · 104,799 miles · IL

Noise was noticed coming from rear driver's side tire. Sounded like brake pad sticking. After a couple of miles of driving the tire blew out. When investigating tire failure it was found the spring had broken and punctured the tire. The failure just happened today therefore there has been no resolution. Vehicle will have to be towed to dealership for repairs.

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Suspension · 114,000 miles · NY

I have a 2001 ford taurus purchased from dan buckey ford in chestnut ridge, ny (now diamond ford). A few years ago (2005 I think) we received notice about defective front coil springs. We took the car into the dealer and had shields installed that were supposed to protect from tire blowouts. They also said the front coil springs warranty would be extended to 150,000 miles. While the car was in the dealer, they told us that the left rear coil spring was broken. This was not covered under the recall or the warranty. We had to pay $600 to get it repaired. Yesterday, the right rear coil spring broke. Again, not covered under warranty. Coil springs should rarely break on cars. If the front springs are defective, then it makes sense that the rear springs are too. This is an outrage and ford should be held accountable.