: the contact stated while driving 50mph, the left rear coil spring fractured and broke. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for repair. Updated 03/20/06.

- Ogdensburg, NJ, USA

Had vehicle in local shop for oil change and new battery, asked them to research clanking noise coming from front driver side wheel/tire. Upon investigation they stated broken spring coil, then noticed that rear passenger side spring coil broken and edge was rubbing against tire to the point where it has created a groove into the tire. Mechanic stated that it should be taken care of immediately and decision was made to cut 1-2 inch piece to relieve pressure from tire until vehicle can be brought into dealership. Until this point I was totally unaware that anything this severe was wrong. Contacted Ford customer service line and they indicated extension of warranty on front spring but not rear. Suggested to take it to dealer. Contacted dealer and they immediately took a "defensive" attitude, by asking has the vehicle been in a car accident or what did I hit. Neither has occurred, otherwise car would have been seriously out of alignment.

- Westlake, OH, USA

Rear spring (driver's side) fractured while driving causing damage to the rear tire. The front springs on this vehicle were part of an NHTSA recall (#04V332000) which allowed Ford to address defects with the front springs fracturing by placing shields on them, rather than replacing them. Obviously the defect could happen on all springs on this vehicle and Ford needs to replace them, not just put a shield on them. Luckily this was a low-speed incident. I shutter to think that I might not be here to write this, if this had happened at highway speeds.

- East Islip, NY, USA

2000 Ford Taurus rear coil spring fractured piercing tire sidewall. Vehicle was traveling at low speeds at the time. This car recently had a front coil spring failure.

- Fostoria, OH, USA

: the contact stated while driving 20 mph, a loud noise came from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over and the rear passenger side tire was flat. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined both the rear coil springs had fractured causing the puncture in the tire. The rear coil springs were replaced.

- South Boston, MA, USA

2000 Ford Taurus sedan, rear coil spring corrosion/ fracture, piercing sidewall of tire. Fronts were replaced after fracture in July, under factory recall. Same concern with rears, no help from Ford.

- Vernon, CT, USA

Rear coil spring broke and 3 days later brand new tire blew out.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

: the contact stated while driving 40 mph there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over and upon inspection the rear left side coil spring had broken and punctured the tire. The spare tire was put on the vehicle and the vehicle was driven home. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 2/13/2006 -

- Dublin, OH, USA

NHTSA action number: PE05054 I was sitting at a red light when I heard a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. This was followed by a "grinding" noise. I was extremely concerned having no idea what it was. I was fortunately less than a mile from a bp procare where a friend works. I immediately pulled in driving less than a mile and never exceeding 30 mph. The passenger rear coil had "popped" as he put it. I only have 52,000 miles on the car which is only six years old. I find it to be a nuisance to replace a tire with less than 5,000 miles on it, and am extremely disappointed that the coil spring would have such a short life span to it. Thankfully it happened at a red light, not on the highway, especially without my children in the car.

- Allison Park, PA, USA

PE05054 add my vehicle to the number of those that have the problem. I took my car in for an alignment and the dealer told me of the broken spring. My car has not been repaired yet.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

(1) heard loud "sprong" sound while driving at highway speed. I thought I might have hit something in road. The right rear tire went flat a few minutes later. It was early morning and dark so I replaced the tire with the spare and did not notice any other issues. Today, 1/6/2006, the sears tire center found that the right rear coil spring had failed and then wore into and punctured the right rear tire. (2) right rear coil spring failed puncturing right rear tire (3) replaced tire and waiting for parts to replace both rear coil springs. Old springs will be available if requested. Tire was kept by sears.

- Greentown, IN, USA

After placing luggage in trunk of car after a trip. I left the parking area, I heard a rubbing sound from the left rear area of the vehicle. I checked for the noise, but could see nothing, and continued home. Trip was approximatly 30 miles. The next day I took the car to my mechanic, and was informed that the left rear spring had broken about 1/4 quarter of the way down from the top. The rubbing noise was the broken end of the coiled spring coming in contact with the inside of the tire. Thhis was caused by the excessive rusted and corroded condition of the coiled spring. I was very fortunate that the tire had not blown out. In September of the same year (2005), I had brought the car into the dealer for a recall for the front coil springs, where the installed a shield to prevent the spring from puncturing the tires. (this was for vehicles in high salt corrosion areas). I feel that the same recall or an additional recall should have been issued for the rear springs. Upon inspection of the right rear spring, it was determined that there was not rust or corrosion, only the left one had this problem.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

The contact stated when attempting to make a right turn or pass another vehicle the car fish tailed as if he was going to lose control. Upon inspection, he discovered the driver's side rear coil springs broke. The coil springs were made with a poor quality metal and had extensive wear. He purchased coil springs and had them repaired through a local dealership at his own expense.

- South Vienna, OH, USA

The contact stated both rear coil springs broke. While having regular maintenance completed on vehicle the mechanic noticed the right rear coil spring was puncturing the tire. Upon further inspection it was discovered the rear driver coil spring also broke. The coil springs have been replaced at the contact's expense.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

Fracture rear coil spring, driver's side, found by mechanic when installing winter tires on 2000 Ford Taurus. Will contact dealer.

- Stanley, NY, USA

My 2000 Ford Taurus SE rear coil spring broke on 11-22-05 which in turn punctured my rear tire cause it to lose air. I have to replace the coil and tire. I have not replaced it as of yet. I called Ford on 11-24-05 after hearing about a recall to see if it was covered yet and it's not. Ford customer hotline told me that I would have to cover the cost of the parts and repair because the front coils are the only ones covered by the recall. I asked, what's the difference between the front coils and the back? she couldn't answer it. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary when this happened I was driving on the highway didn't hit any bumps or anything. It just broke! thank god I made it home without an accident.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

When driving the car there was a sound like something was rubbing on the tires. When pulling in to the driveway the noise got worse. Later in the day when driving the car it started to smell hot like something was burning. We took the car to the nearest repair shop ( as we were afraid to drive the car any further). The repair shop told us that the left rear spring had broken, destroyed the strut and damaged the left rear tire. They also told us that when springs and struts are replaced they are done in pairs (you just can not fix one). So the rear springs and struts on both sides were replaced for the cost of $635. We had the recall covers installed on the front of the car to prevent this same thing happening in late summer of this year. In 2004 we had to replace right front tine as it was punctured from the inside. The Ford dealership repair dept. Stated at that time that it was not because of spring failure but know we wonder if that was true. We do have the defective parts in our possession.

- Madison, WI, USA

Contact stated that the coil spring on the right rear suspension broke and punctured the tire. Consumer stated they drove the vehicle for about a week while it broke, but could hear a rubbing noise. Consumer's husband checked the vehicle, then had it towed to a dealer, and the dealer repaired the vehicle on August 5, 2005. Dealer did not state what might have caused the problem.

- Johnstown , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Taurus. While driving heard a noise it sounded like a large bang and tire went flat. The contact called mahone tires, they came, and took the tire. Then the contact called a tow truck to tow the vehicle. The mechanic told the contact that the coil springs on the rear broke and then it punctured the tire.

- Williamstown , WV, USA

While having vehicle wheels aligned, mechanic noted drivers side rear springs broken and passenger side spring cracked. When consulted by phone, Ford offered a repair estimate of over $600 dollars.

- Manchester, NH, USA