2002 Mercury Sable: broken coil spring

Filed Sep 25, 2020 · Suspension · 37,500 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the front driver's side tire exploded. The suspension coil spring on the driver's side fractured and slashed the tire causing the tire to explode. The contact stated that the suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,500.

Filed Feb 7, 2017 · Suspension · 63,512 miles · NY

On 2/6/2017 my 2002 mercury sable wagon with 63512 miles on it the front spring broke tore the inside of tire apart not sure what else was damaged at this point . My car being in very good condition not your typical n.y rust not a issue this is a very dangerous design defect.

Filed Jan 25, 2017 · Suspension · 58,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. Upon starting the vehicle, it would not move. The failure occurred without warning. Upon inspection, the front coil springs fractured and detached, damaging the front driver side tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v332000 (suspension), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Acceleration, Suspension · 39,000 miles · WI

Approximately 39,000 miles. No rust car. Rubbing noise and all tires with history of losing air. While replacing all tires, wheel tech noticed right rear coil spring was fractured and completely wore off interior tire ridge. Placed doughnut tire on and advised I take to mechanic to have all springs fully checked. Car currentlyat mechanic shop this evening. Right rear coil spring definitely fractured. Seems many reports of same nature on this model. Why no recall on rear coil springs with so many complaints? Rubbing sound from beneath car has been noted and tires constantly needed air. Other issue(s): 1) ignition extremely hard to turn.2) accelerator seems to stick upon attempting to decelerate by letting up foot pressure. I inherited this car from my deceased father. I was always concerned that he accelerated too quickly from a stopped position. Father took down a large concrete planter due to this type of car jerking, yet I thought it was due to his putting too much pressure upon the accelerator. Now that I am driving the car, I note that car does not slow when I let up on the accelerator, leading me to believe that the accident was not due to father's driving. This was never a problem with his former car. 3) driver's door makes loud clunk upon opening and closing. Are these known problems?

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Suspension · 94,000 miles · IL

As I was backing my car out of the driveway, I heard a noise and then a hiss. Then the car resisted further motion. The right front tire was completely flat. I tried to reinflate it but could not. I removed the front wheel and mounted the mini spare tire. There was a complete circumferential tear of the tire sidewall near the tread. I assumed it was a spontaneous failure of the tire. When I bought new tires today at costco, the mechanic said he could not put the right front wheel on the car because a piece of broken spring was projecting outboard and hitting the sidewall of the new tire. Inspection showed the left front coil spring was also broken but the pointed end was aimed inward. The inferior coil was broken off and was loose but could not be easily removed from the strut. I told the mechanic to remount the mini-spare on the right front. Until I looked on the internet I had no idea this was a common failure that fomoco had partially addressed years ago in other model years but not 2002. It seems that many of these failures have occurred at rest or slow speeds, but I also think this is a function of the fact that cars sit most of their lives. There has been significant financial damage to owners for tires and repairs, but luckily there have been no serious physical injuries. Because the failures are sudden and catastrophic, there is certain to be a serious and perhaps fatal incident in the future. Fomoco and the us government should not be subjecting the unknowing and trusting public to the risks of luck, because it will eventually turn bad. Apparently fomoco does not care enough about its drivers to repair the defect, or mitigate the danger and damage, or even inform owners of the danger. The federal safety agency act now, do your job, and protect us from those who build automobiles, but don't care.

Filed Jan 16, 2015 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, a tire became flat without warning. The contact did not specify which tire became flat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger and driver side coil spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Suspension · 174,000 miles · KS

While vehicle was sitting unattended in a public parking lot the driverside coilover spring failed. The results was suspension and tire damage totaling the vehicle.

Filed Mar 20, 2014 · Suspension · 97,302 miles · PA

Backed the sable to the end of my driveway, was moving very slowly, when a loud bang was heard under the car. Upon inspection, the drivers side front coil spring had broken and a jagged edge of the broken coil spring punctured the tire. I contacted my local dealer who said there was no recall on the spring for this year and model. I then did some research on the internet and discovered that this is a fairly common occurrence on this car and the similar ford taurus.

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Suspension · 109,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, an abnormal noise from the front end of the vehicle. The contact indicated that the driver's side coil spring was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the defect but no solution was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign 04v332000 (suspension) the contact stated the vehicle experienced the same defect listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2014 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while backing the vehicle out of the garage, the front driver's side suspension coil spring suddenly fractured and punctured the side tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed May 23, 2013 · Suspension · 63,546 miles · MI

I moved the car in my driveway and the left front spring broke and went through the tire sidewall. If this had happen at highway speed or even less the car could have gone off the road and rolled. I had the car towed and the truck driver told me this was a common problem. He said he ran into a couple time a month. I called ford and they said there was no recall. I know the car is 11 years old, but it has very low miles and the spring had no rust it looked like new. This seems to be a serious safety issue please look into it.

Filed Apr 30, 2013 · Suspension · 88,000 miles · MI

My car was parked in the garage, when I sat down in the seat I hear a loud noise, which was caused by the driver front side coil spring broke and plunged into the tire. Had this had happened while driving it would have most like cause a severe accident. The cost to fix it was higher as it was recommended that both front springs be replaced for safety reasons.