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 NHTSA 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.

- Howell, MI, USA

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.

- Churubusco, IN, USA

While pulling out of the driveway the front coil spring broke without warning. As a result, the front passenger side tire was punctured. 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.

- Mount Sterling, KY, USA

The front coil spring broke and punctured the tire. This incident happened during a rain storm.

- Washington, DC, USA

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.

- Elyria, OH, USA

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.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

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.

- Madisonville, KY, USA

My 1998 Ford Taurus experienced the driver side spring breaking and shooting into the tire flattening it while attempting to back up. I went less than an inch when the tire completely deflated. The car was towed and repaired including 2 front struts,1 set front coil springs,1 upper strut mount, 2 front sway bar links, and tire with frontend alignment. When my husband contacted Ford Motor Co. After the recall for 1999, 2000, and 2001 models he was told my car was not included in the recall, so there was nothing they could do but turn it in as an incident for futher investigation.had I been on the interstae etc this could have killed me, my family or many others. There were no known problems or noises etc prior to this event. I have also had to have the ball joint on that side of the car replaced since that incident.

- Knoxville, IL, USA

Got blowout so had 2 new tires put on front of vehicle. Drove 1/2 mile down road got another blowout on busy highway. We were able to get off road safely and put spare (doughnut tire) on and return to where we had new tires put on. When they checked after removing tire they found the coil spring on drivers side was broken and had punctured tire. We now have the spare still on vehicle as we can not afford the repairs right now.

- Laconia, NH, USA

While trying to back out of our garage, the front left spring coil in our 1998 Ford Taurus broke and punctured the tire, causing a blow out. In researching the NHTSA website I learned that the 1993 Ford Taurus, 1998 Ford Contour, and 1998 Mercury Mystique were recalled for the same problem. I also found a complaint indicating the same problem in the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. This appears to be a chronic problem, and I feel fortunate the incident did not occur, as in other reported cases, while traveling at highway speeds. The dealer and Ford Motor Company were informed of his problem but have made no efforts to contact me regarding this safety issue. Also, I am concerned because we had reported excessive vibration of steering wheel and wobbling of the car to the dealer in October and November of 2003 but were told that our brakes were out of round. This makes no sense to us, as the problem occurred not only when braking, but also at higher speeds and when accelerating. I believe that the problem was misdiagnosed and put our safety at risk. I would greatly appreciate an investigation into this problem, as I have concern for others driving the 1998 Ford Taurus. I would also appreciate some assurance that our car is now safe- I have read that in other situations a shield was installed to prevent a broken spring from making contact with the tire in the future. I have kept my repair receipts and am hoping that this will be treated as a recall and result in reimbursement for my expenses.

- Wickliffe, OH, USA

Our county Agency purchased two Ford Taurus vehicles new, in 1998 and 1999. At the end of February 2003 within one week of each other the drivers side front coil springs fractured and punctured the tire. In research I have discovered there were recalls in 1998 on the 1993 Ford Taurus and in 2001 on the 1998 Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique, however I see no recalls concerning this problem with the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. I would appreciate an investigation into this concern with the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. I believe there is an obvious problem with the coil springs on these vehicles as well. Thank you.

- Indiana, PA, USA