The contact owns a 1997 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving out of his garage, the front coil spring on the drivers side broke and ripped the tire apart. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. There were no warning signs or prior instances of the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who advised him to take the vehicle to an authorized dealership. The current and failure mileages were approximately 176,000. Updated 12/29/10 updated 12/30/10

- Aurora, IL, USA

Driving at 30mph when I heard a very loud rattle/clanking noise. A few seconds later a piece of left front coil spring snapped and fell off my car. I was <1 mile from home so I picked up the piece and returned safely. I did notice the brakes were going out. Once I returned I found my brake fluid line was severed by the coil spring. I have not fixed the car yet. It is parked in my driveway unusable.

- Granville, OH, USA

I was driving my car at the time when I heard a loud noise in the front of my car. I was turning left into a parking lot so I wasn't going very fast I stopped and looked at my car and noticed that the left front side of my car was almost sitting on the front tire I was glad that I wasn't on the interstate at the time. I have never had this happen with any of my other cars.I would think the springs are stronger than that. Thank god I wasn't going fast.......

- Fairfield, ME, USA

I am the owner of a 1997 Ford Taurus. I was in clarendon hills, il from July 22nd until July 31st. On July 26th I spent the day driving my car. After I parked my car at the hotel it was an hour later when I heard a loud pop and then a hissing noise. The next day I went down to my car. It was at that time I noticed my car was sunk down. I went to change what I thought was a flat tire and after further investigation I realized something was stuck into the side of it. The coil spring surrounding the strut broke and punctured the tire making it go flat instantly. I spoke to two people that morning that were standing outside and witnessed it the night before. There was no cause for this to happen. It was not being driven. My concern in this matter is that it could have caused serious injury. What if I had driven another hour" I fear it would have caused me to veer off into oncoming traffic. My tire went flat instantly and it would have caused serious injury and possible death. I spent the whole morning calling repair shops. I first became very concerned about this when I called the first repairman and he knew exactly the problem I had. He said he fixes this problem on Ford Taurus' between two or three times a month. After this I proceeded to call a Ford dealership expecting a recall. The gentleman knew nothing of this problem on the Ford Taurus. I did some research and found out that there have been problems on older and newer models of the Taurus with this same problem. My sister and her husband own a 2001 Ford Taurus and they had a recall on their car for this problem. All that was done was put a shield around the coil spring so that when it does break it does not puncture the tire. Ford is aware of the problem. Why would they not have a recall and just replace it" I was finally able to get the problem fixed. This incident cost me $700. I do have the old coil spring that broke. I do feel that Ford should compensate me. Thank you for your help.

- Monroe, MI, USA

Right front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Ford has a recall for Taurus model years 1999-2001 for this exact failure. I believe Ford should expand the recall to include earlier model years. I was lucky, it could have happened on open highway.

- South Portland, ME, USA

Right front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Ford has a recall for Taurus model years 1999 - 2001 for this exact failure. As this is a critical failure mode, I believe Ford should expand the recall to include earlier model years.

- Sharon, MA, USA

The consumer received a recall regarding front coils springs which could potentially fracture when operated in high corrosion areas. The consumer had to wait 5 months before getting the vehicle repaired. The dealer would only replaced the coil spring if they cracked.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

While driving consumer heard a noise from the front of the vehicle. Consumer drove it home and parked it. The next day consumer noticed that the passenger's side tire was deflated. Consumer was able to change the tire, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that passenger's side coil spring sheared off and punctured the tire in the process.

- Brockton, MA, USA

Front end was low due to both coil springs being cracked. Contacted dealer, they informed consumer that both coil springs should not have cracked at the same time.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

While driving heard a noise from front end. Upon inspection, consumer saw that left front coil spring broke. Right one was corroded, and was replaced as well.

- Louisville, KY, USA