I had the front driver side coil spring fail and as I took the car into the dealer to have the front springs replaced under the recall, the dealer informed me that the left rear coil spring was broken. Fortunately, the fracture did not result in an accident. However, common sense would state that if the front coils failed, the rear coils also would exhibit the same corrosion/failure problem since the springs, more than likely, came from the same vendor for Ford. Ford should be held accountable for replacement of all four (4) coil springs.

- Rochester, NY, USA

The rear coil spring on my 2001 Ford Taurus came lose from its base. I now have to replace both the coil and the tire. This work will be scheduled by a local Ford dealership.

- North Canton, OH, USA

Both rear coil springs broke due to corrosion.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus with approx. 70,000 miles. This summer while making a turn out of a parking lot a heard a loud noise from under my car. Now when ever I enter my driveway, make a turn after stopping or hit any kind of bump, it sounds as if something is hitting the bottom of my car. I also noticed that the left rear wheel has little clearance at the top of the sidewall from the wheel well. I looked under my car and found the rear stabilizer/ sway bar on the left side was broken.when I removed the rear left wheel I found my spring was broken. When I called my dealer they told me that this was not a covered item and I should call Ford motors, which I did. When I called Ford they told me that the front springs were covered because of corrosion but not the rear! I advised them that I was confused because if their springs had a tendency to break why would only the front spring be covered. I received no satisfaction from Ford. While researching where I could purchase new springs that were not prone to failure like the Ford springs. I found an article saying your office was investigating the failure of the rear springs. I was advised the to replace the spring would run approx. $350. Pre spring plus parts. My car does not handle properly since this happened and I cant use it for any distance driving. Is this something your office is investigating.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

My car was shaking heavily when I went over 50 mph. I thought it was an alignment problem. I took the car in, and they said that I needed new tires. I wanted a second opinion, while on the highway my back right tire busted. I ended up losing control of the car. I was able to regain control. I had it towed and the garage said that my back springs were broken, and that it had eaten through my tire. I ended up getting new 2 springs, shocks and 2 new tires as a result of the broken springs. The old part is not available, although they did show it to me.

- Northfield Center, OH, USA

My car was shaking heavily when I went over 50 mph. I thought it was an alignment problem. I took the car in, and they said that I needed new tires. I wanted a second opinion, while on the highway my back right tire busted. I ended up losing control of the car. I was able to regain control. I had it towed and the garage said that my back springs were broken, and that it had eaten through my tire. I ended up getting new 2 springs, shocks and 2 new tires as a result of the broken springs. The old part is not available, although they did show it to me.

- Northfield Center, OH, USA

On 2001 Ford Taurus, right rear spring had broken and caused tire to puncture. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealer and repaired. No warranty, because over 36 month warranty. Dealer replaced both rear tires and both rear springs, at our cost, parts and labor. Have pictures of broken spring and punctured tire.

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

Rear spring on 2001 Taurus snapped due to corrosion. Replaced both springs and tire that was damaged due to spring failure. Spring cut tire while backing out of a parking space.

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

I entered my car one morning and started backing out of the garage and I heard a metal grinding sound from the right rear side. While driving to work I noticed the car seemed to be riding lower on the right rear side. A week or so later I took the car into a Ford dealership and was told the right rear spring and both struts needed to be replaced. He said the broken spring was gouging a hole in my tire. The right rear strut was leaking and needed to be replaced, but he said I would to have both replaced for the ride to be even. Additionally, he said I would need to have an alignment done. I did not have the work performed on my car as the dealer was asking over $700 for the repairs. I called for other estimates. I pulled the tire off at home and did find the spring was broker and causing a gouge to be dug into my 1 year old tire just an inch below the top of the tire and about 1/4 inch deep. I have yet to speak to Ford about the problem.

- Oswego, IL, USA

Rear coil springs on 2001 Ford Taurus. Both, of rear coil springs have fractured while driving and one the sharp broken spring was less than 1/4" from the side wall of the tire I have no idea how it did not rip a huge hole in the tire. If I would not have had some unrelated work done on the rear of the car I would hav E never known until the tire would have been ripped wide open and possbly caused an accident.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Taurus [xxx]. the right rear spring fractured when leaving my driveway. There was no warning prior to the fracture. There is a current investigation by the NHTSA (PE05054) for the rear springs on this automobile. I am currently having the spring replaced at my own cost because Ford will not recognize any liability. I spoke with shauna at Ford customer service and my ref # with Ford is [xxx] and they assured me the left spring was ok and that they would not provide any financial reimbursement. Update 07/17/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Millersport, OH, USA

I started hearing a sound from the rear while driving around town. At home I checked carefully and found the rear spring broken with a sharp point dragging on the tire. The tire was gouged through the first layer of cord. The Ford dealer replaced both rear spring at my expense. It was very fortunate for me that I heard the sound before the tire was shredded.

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

While my wife was driving home from work the left rear spring in snapped off puncturing the side wall of the left rear tire at approximately 45 mph. The tire deflated suddenly and my wife was able to pull the car off the road. After the tire was changed the car was driven to the Ford dealer where we had to have both springs in the rear replaced and a new tire put on and a alignment costing $507 total. Our car is a 2001 Ford Taurus with 38000 miles on it and this is the second expensive repair this year. In July we lost the electric motor on the power seat and that cost over $400 with Ford assistance on the bill.

- Hilton, NY, USA

My 2001 Ford Taurus was at the Ford dealership for unrelated repairs and the mechanic found that the two rear coil springs were cracked and said that they needed to be replaced. They then replaced the springs.

- Schroon Lake, NY, USA

Consumer 2000 Ford Taurus has a defective rear coil spring. ** answer required*** the rear passenger's side coils spring broke. Less than three weeks later the front driver's side coil spring broke and punctured the front driver's side tire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. They agreed to pay for the front coils sping replacement, under recall 04V332000, but refused to reimburse the consumer for the rear spring replacement.

- Sunbury, OH, USA

Both rear coil springs fractured on my wife's 2001 Ford Taurus. Luckily she was not driving the car at the time. The coils cut through the inner side walls of both brand new tires which were just installed on the car (January 04 2005). My wife was heading into work via the freeway and if it was not for the Goodyear technician who heard a noise during the test drive, my wife could have potentially been involved in a very serious accident had the tires blown out at highway speed. I contacted Ford of Canada on numerous occasions for compensation but to no avail. At the time of the tire replacement, the vehicle had only 74,000 km. Upon removal of the rear coil springs, it was clear that they had been broken for some time as the fracture points were well rusted over. This is a serious issue that could have resulted in death. Ford does not seem to give a [xxx]! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Aurora, 00, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus. One of the rear springs failed. There was no indication of the broken spring. The broken spring protruded into the rear tire, wearing a groove. Thankfully the broken spring was found before a tire blowout occurred. Both rear springs and rear tires needed replacement.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

2001 Ford Taurus. The consumer stated the rear driver's side spring spun off its perch and punctured the tire. This did not cause an accident because there were no other cars in the area. The vehicle was pulled over and the spare tire was put on. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. The dealership found a recall for the front springs and replaced them, as well as the perch and the tire.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

1. no initial problem noted. Took car in for routine service and recall to install sheilds around front coil springs. 2. dealer called and notified me of the fact that the rear springs were broken. 3. dealer offered to replace springs for $100 deductible charge, leading me to believe there is a known problem with the springs that Ford is not owning up to.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

Took my wifes 2001 Taurus to local mechanic for routine maintenance and was informed both rear coil springs are broken. No appearent reason for failure. Car has 56K on odometer.local garage states they see this problem often on Taurus/Sable models. Contacted dealer for appointment for front spring re-call and was told they know of no problem with rear coils. Ford customer relations took my complaint and stated they have no technical bullitens issued on this problem. This is a costly repair. Springs look to be identical on front and rear.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA