Ford taurus 2003 rear coil spring broken. Caused rubbing on tire on same side which wore a deep groove in the side wall. Also caused tire on opposite side to wear unevenly. Had to replace both tires as well as replace coil springs both sides. Live in maine (salt- belt state). Bought as used vehicle. Don't know if front springs were replaced. Date of incident was when the defect was found on regular inspection.
2003 Ford Taurus suspension complaints
Page 6 of 12: complaints 131 to 160 of 313, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When backing a 2003 ford taurus from its winter storage place in april of this year, a strange noise was heard coming from the left front of the vehicle and it took more power than it should have to back out. Upon stopping the car after a few feet to see if something was under the car, it was noticed the left front tire was completely flat. After completely backing out of the close quartered garage and a better inspection of the tire and its removal, it was discovered the whole inside sidewall of the tire was torn and the tire was in two pieces. It was later discovered the left front coil spring was broken and the broken portion's point was responsible for ripping the tire. Inquiries to the local ford dealer confirmed ford wouldn't do any sort of compensation for fixing this problem but did say he thought there was a recall some time ago but given the VIN this vehicle he said it was not covered. After a $700+ fix at an independent garage the car was on the road for approximately six weeks when the rightside coil spring broke and did the same thing only this time it was being driven by it's 79 year old owner who fortunately was all most stopped to make left turn when it broke and she was able to get off on the shoulder of the road and called assistance. This vehicle has not yet been fixed a second time and the parts are available. The ford motor co. Has not been called yet for any kind of financial help or service on this second incident yet. I would like to find out a little more about their responsibility, if any, before calling to them or ny state level consumer protection agencies. It is my belief this is an old and known problem to ford as many mechanics I have talked to know of many such identical incidents and it is not so uncommon that. There should be a permanent recall for something like this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Right front spring broke and blew out right front tire. Luckily, my wife was not at highway speed when it happened. We had to replace the tire,and the front right spring and strut assembly.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While driving at 10 MPH, the contact noticed a rubber burning smell. He then noticed that rear left tire had become flat and that the cause of the flat was a coil spring that broke. The contact spoke with the dealer who stated that it would be easy if the contact purchased the part himself and repair it. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were 26,837.
Backing out of driveway in am, the driver's side coil spring broke and ruptured the tire. Vehicle lowered until frame was one inch from ground. Had to be towed to local service station for repair.
1) the events leading up to the failure, none, car was riding smooth, no noises, bouncing, etc... 2) the failure, how often it occurs, its consequences. The drivers side front strut spring broke, puncturing through the tire. This is a huge known problem with these cars. Luckily I was driving at a slow speed (30 MPH) when the spring let go. However, I do take the express way to and from work and travel often. Had this happened on the expressway I most definitely would have lost control when the spring punctured through the tire. 3) what was done to correct the failure? Struts, springs, and two front tires were replaced. Luckily my dad, a former mechanic, was able to do the struts and springs for me. Total cost ended up being $600.
2003 ford taurus. Consumer states problems with coil springs *tgw the consumer questioned the lack of a recall for an obvious safety problem and perhaps defective material. The front and rear coil springs ruptured on the consumers vehicle. The ball joints, front stabilizer and serpentine belt all had to be replaced on different occasions. The caliper froze, and the rotors were warped. *jb updated consumer letter 10/27/10.
While backing my 2003 ford taurus out of the garage, the front driver side tire blew up. It was a loud noise. My husband was standing in front of the car and thought I ran over something that made the tire blow. When he took the tire off he found that the spring had snapped and punctured the tire and it cannot be repaired. We feel so lucky no one was driving the car at the time. It very easily would have lost control and could have injured or killed someone. We have properly maintained the car and now I see many other ford taurus drivers have the same problem. Ford had a recall for 1999-2001 cars with the same problem.
I own a 2003 ford taurus station wagon. I had just completed a vacation 1000+ mile trip at highway speeds. Several days later, while in a parking lot driving at a slow speed there occurred a loud metallic grinding sound, following immediately by a hiss noise with an instant collapse of my left front tire. I had the car towed into a local ford dealer, and the diagnosis was the left front spring had broken, slashing the inside of the left front tire. Needless to say if this had occurred at highway speeds, the likelihood is that I would not be around to be entering this complaint. My repair cost was $1456.80, not covered by warranty. This raises a question: why not? An internet check showed this ford coil spring problem to be happening for years, despite it's obvious threat to lives! *tr updated ivoq 12/29/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated he started the engine and accelerated approximately one foot before hearing an unusually loud bang. When exiting the vehicle he found both the driver and passengers side front tires were flat. Upon further inspection, he found that the front coil springs had fractured and punctured the tires. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The failure and current mileages were 51,228.
2003 ford taurus was backing out of driveway when front driverside spring snap and punctured the tire.
My wife backed out of the driveway in our 2003 ford taurus, the left front spring broke and punctured the tire. I replaced the strut, spring and tire. I checked with ford to see if there was a recall. The spring recall only covered 2002 taurus. I still have the spring, strut and maybe the tire. I reported this with ford, even gave them the serial # off the spring and strut.
Driver side front coil spring broke, broken spring ripped the side of the tire. Stabilizer bar also broken.
The front driver side spring coil broke causing a large gash in the tire and instant deflation. Had been parked in the driveway and shifted into reverse. Pressed the gas pedal and the tire seemed to explode with a loud sound and debris. I understand that earlier models of the ford taurus have been recalled (breaking coil springs recall no. 04v332000) and fixed but the recall has not been extended to newer models. The problem still exists, the danger still exists and the cost to fix the problem still exists.
Vehicle: 2003 ford taurus wagon, 95,000 miles, all in michigan by original owner. Friday morning (frost warning), april 9, 2010. Moved the car 6 inches, when the front driver side tire blew out, corner of car dropped. Following day, took tire (16,000 miles) to place of purchase, where they hoisted the car and discovered ruptured coil spring had punctured tire. Had it ruptured ten miles later, I would have been on interstate 696 going 70 MPH in rush hour, putting me, my passenger and adjacent vehicles at risk of deadly crash. 20 miles after repair of suspension, my teenage son, brand new driver, was driving on another interstate; it could have been him (and me) injured. I'm furious at ford and at the federal safety agency, as neither have taken action to remedy well established, know defect. How many deaths will it take? Do something now!! Total cost of two new springs with struts, and new tire: $850.00. Property damage: punctured tire, broken spring.
Coil spring broke while backing out of my garage - which blew out my front tire. I had to purchase a new tire and then have my car towed to my mechanic. He replaced coil springs on both sides and as a result of broken coil spring it broke another part which cost an additiona $69.00.
We were at a school event and at the end of the day got in our 2003 ford taurus and put in gear to leave the parking lot heard a loud bang. Got out and noticed front right tire was completely flat. Got the jack and spare tire out of trunk, lifted car, loosened lugs and tried to pull off tire - wouldn't come off. Reached behind tire and fount the suspension spring was sticking in the back of the tire. Reached in further and pulled out a section of the spring that was completely broken off and tossed it on the ground. Put tire back on and had a flat bed truck come to tow to their repair shop. I am not looking forward to getting this repair bill.
Tl * the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. While driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the vehicle made an unusually loud noise. The weather was not a factor. Upon further investigation, the contact found the front coil spring had fractured and punctured the tire. The stabilizer bar was also fractured. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 66,000.
Front coil spring snapped and punctured the passenger tire.
2003 ford taurus - started car morning of 2 18 10 heard a loud noise car sagged to the left got out of car and saw that left front tire was completely flat there was a blow out and there was a big piece of coil spring that was broken lying next to it on the garage floor. The mileage on the car was 89,700 miles. Car was towed to dealer. Mechanic put in whole new suspension system on the left and right side front. The cost was $856.00. I would like to see a recall for the 2003 ford taurus to replace all 4 springs front and rear. I would also like to have my $856.00 refunded to me since I understand this same type of occurrence has occurred to hundreds of 2003 ford taurus owners. My vehicle identification # is [xxx] . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2003 ford taurus front suspension coil fracture, resulting in a adjacent tire rapidly losing air.
My wife and I got in the car to go home, I started the car and went to leave when we heard a loud bang and car dropped several inches. The right front spring had broken and one of the pieces punctured the tire causing it to deflate immediately. We would have been on the highway in a matter of minutes, had it happened then it could have been catastrophic. I spoke with the dealer and also contacted the manufacturer via e-mail and both basically said sorry for your luck. I know this is a common problem on these vehicles and I actually know someone personally that had the same thing occur with his 2002 ford taurus. I am in the process of having repaired now, I am replacing both front springs as a safety precaution and will try to keep the broken spring but there may be a core deposit involved. This defect in my opinion is potentially very serious and widespread and should be addressed by someone. Unfortunately until an entire family gets killed on the highway probably nothing will be done.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact started the ignition and the gear shifter was placed in the "reverse" position. Immediately, there was a loud explosion outside of the vehicle. The driver inspected the vehicle and observed the front driver side tire was completely flattened to the rim surface and that the coil spring was broken. The failure mileage was 62,000. Updated 9/13/10 *cn updated 09/15/10
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact was driving 45 MPH when the tire became flat. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed her that it was a faulty coil spring. The dealer stated that the contact was lucky and that it was very dangerous to drive the vehicle with a faulty coil spring. The dealer also stated that this could have caused suspension failure and that the coil spring damaged the tire. The contact asked has the dealer if he had seen this type of failure before and he stated that he had just not to a vehicle that was so young. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not on the recall list. The contact feels that her defects are identical to the recall. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. There have not been any additional failures at this time. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
Front coil spring exploded, 2003 ford taurus. Car was stopped in traffic lane. Front tire rubbed on wheel well. Inability to steer the vehicle. Very dangerous. $900 to repair. I read of issues with 2003 and 2001 models. Ford recalled 2001 models and apparently ford didn't fix this problem in time. Where is the 2003 recall?
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The coil spring snapped while the contact was backing out of a parking space at 3 MPH. The contact called the dealer and had the vehicle repaired. The contact did call the manufacturer and they informed him that he could file a complaint through the federal safety agency. The manufacturer then offered the contact coupons via email. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 72000 and the current mileage was 72,025. Updated 3/30/2010 updated 06/01/10.
2003 ford taurus station wagon with 25000 miles. The front coil spring snapped. It happened in the driveway. The front tire was ruined and a stabilizer arm was also ruined. My daughter and son-in-law experienced the same exact problem with a 2001 mercury sable.
With the car parked in my driveway, started the car, placed it in reverse, the front left strut coil spring broke and punctured the tire. Complete strut assembly and tire need to be replaced. Potentially deadly crash if it happened on a freeway. Google search (2003 ford taurus front suspension complaints) reveals many have had a similar incident and there was a recall for this same issue for prior year vehicles. Makes you wonder if ford ever fixed the problem before the 2003 model year, or like many other recalls the recall will be extended to cover through the 2003 model year. Research shows the manufacturer's try to achieve this to minimize the cost of the repairs as fewer cars will be in service when the recall is extended. It appears the problem is currently being investigated by the federal safety agency: the federal safety agency action number : ea08018 the federal safety agency recall campaign number : n/a make / models : model/build years: ford / taurus 2002-2003 mercury / sable 2002-2003 manufacturer : ford motor company component : suspension:front:springs:coil springs date investigation opened : august 28, 2008 date investigation closed : open why do more people have to die before action is taken?
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford taurus. The contact stated that when pulling out the driveway at 5 MPH, he heard a crunching noise. He pulled over and noticed that the noise heightened. He saw that the left front tire was completely flat. The coil spring had broken and there was a sharp edge that punctured the tire which caused it to become flat. He took the vehicle to the dealership but the dealer did not have parts for the repair. He had the vehicle repaired at a local repair shop. He called the manufacturer and was told that there was no recall and they could not assist him. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,000.
On my wife's 2003 ford taurus, the front spring broke and caused multiple damages to the vehicle. First of all the tire was completely blown out due to the spring breaking and secondly, a sway link was damaged to the point of repair along with another part that I need to ask the mechanic the name of. This same model car had a recall in the years of 1999 and 2001 for just this reason. The mechanic sees this constantly from this model car. The recall was for a "boot" to be applied to the vehicle in order to prevent the spring from penetrating the tire while driving. Fortunately, I was driving the car out of my driveway and down the alley, therefore no accident happened. I have contacted ford directly and they say that there is no recall on my vehicle for this and referred me to you. The car has 43,473 miles on it. Of course it is out of warranty but this is uncalled for. I can understand the spring breaking on an automobile, but to completely shred the tire and cause all of this is their responsibility for not addressing a concern that had occurred on an earlier model and correcting it. They need to be held responsible for the damage that has been caused to my vehicle and they should be happy that this did not cause an accident. Ford motor company needs to address this issue on this car. I sincerely thank you for your time and concern.
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