Broken rr coil spring was discovered by belle tire technician while repairing a tire leak on my daughter's 2001 Taurus. Vehicle was deadlined and delivered to blackwell Ford to have the first spring recall performed and the rear springs inspected/repaired using authorized Ford service parts. Rr spring and rr shock were both replaced due to "usual damage" to the shock caused by the broken spring (old parts are in my possession and available for inspection). Blackwell service advisor informed me that Ford would not cover the cost of the rr spring/shock repair since there was no recall/service action in place regardless of the failure mode being identical to the front springs which were produced at the same time. The vehicle has 64,000 miles on the odo (ie out of warranty), but the amount of rust at the fracture point indicates the spring had been broken for some time. There were no noise or vehicular attitude concerns to indicate a broken rear spring. Both the belle tire and blackwell personnel seemed "very" familiar with this failure mode on the Taurus. The cost of the repair was $375.52.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

On August 25, 2005, the rear struts and coil spring on the passenger's side came loose and went through the tire. The consumer stopped at a stop sign when realizing that the tire was flat. Took the vehicle to a local mechanic shop and replaced the springs, boots, and the upper mounts. There no for warning and no noise.

- Vermilion, OH, USA

While I was driving my 2001 Ford Taurus the left rear coil spring on the strut broke causing the left rear tire to deflate from the spring penetrating the tire sidewall!

- Altoona, PA, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus with 110,000 miles. The rear drivers side spring coil failed, came dislodged from the seat and was rubbing on the inside wall of the rear tire. This could have ultimately resulted in puncture and rapid air loss in the tire potentially causing loss of control of the vehicle. The problem was discovered because the rear tire was losing air and was brought in for repair. When the tire was removed there was a groove all the way around the tire approximately 1/8" deep and the spring coil was protruding. Prior to discovery, there was no indication of this problem. The car drove normally and was not noticeably lower or riding low. Although this problem for me did not result in accident or loss of control, it was very possible and I'm very concerned about the safety implications for other car owners. Additionally, when I contacted Ford about this problem, they offered no help in the repair of the vehicle, even in spite of a very similar recall for the front spring coils. (recall # 04V332000) in this recall, they acknowledge the exact potential failure of the front coils. The dealer that services my vehicle has seen my car every 3,000 miles and did not identify this issue proactively.

- Mineral Point, WI, USA

The caller said the rear coil spring protective shield corroded and broke. It also broke the strut and punctured the back passenger tire. Driver was going around a curve about 45 mph when he heard a loud noise. Driver was able to drive the vehicle home. Caller said there is a recall on the front coil spring but not on the rear. Dealer has vehicle and they are going to fix the front and caller will have to pay for the rear herself. Manufacturer said to hold on to invoices in case there is reimbursement later.

- Scottland Neck, NC, USA

The rear spring cracked and damaged the tire. This happened yesterday on July 24,2005. The consumer contacted the dealer and was told the front springs were being recalled but not the rear springs. Consumer added left rear coil spring fractured in two causing the broken part of the spring to dig into the inner sidewall of the tire.

- Cinnaitti , OH, USA

Consumer owned a 2001 Ford Taurus. On 7-10-05 when driving at 10 mph the rear spring had rusted to the point of decay, causing the body of the vehicle to come down on top of the tire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic who replaced the rear coil spring. When he contacted the manufacturer, they told consumer it was beyond warranty. Consumer knew there was a recall on the front spring coil this was the only problem with the vehicle.

- Reading, MA, USA

Car was being driven slowly when a pop was heard in the right rear corner of the car as it was being parked. When backing out of the parking spot a rubbing noise was heard. Had the car towed to a Ford garage and was found to have a broken rear coil spring rubbing on the tire. Fortunately it didn't break 10 minutes later on the interstate. The Ford garage is repairing the one spring for $500 and will also have to replace both rear tires. With only 60K miles and 3 1/2 years of age this is far too early to experience a failure of this magnitude. Is it going to take someone getting killed in an accident before a recall is finally ordered"?" there is still a suspect spring on the left rear that could fail at any moment. My children ride in this car on the interstate frequently, I don't feel safe having them riding in this vehicle in it's current condition. Please issue a recall immediately to protect the thousands of families who are riding in these potential death traps.

- Belmond, IA, USA

2001 Taurus backing out of driveway heard noise in left rear and smelled odor of burnt rubber. Pulled back in driveway and found left rear spring fractured and deeply scored inside of tire. Put on doughnut called Ford which had recalled car in 3/05 for spring shields and was told this was a covered repair for both springs and tire. Left car at dealer but later informed by dealer and then Ford customer service that warranty fix only available for front coil springs. All springs installed at same time as car was built, Ford is aware of spring fractures to point of installing shields on the front. In my opinion all springs should be covered, had this happened at speed there would have been a catastropic tire failure in left rear. Been driving 45 years and never even heard of a spring failure, this will get worse as cars age.

- Saugerties, NY, 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

Ford recalled front springs. However, the rear springs have penetrated the tire tread and the rear passenger's side. Both springs broke, but only one penetrated the tire. Spoke with dealer and Ford as well and they do not want to remedy this problem. Felt this was unsafe and wanted a recall on the rear as well. Ford said it was not on the steering wheel side so there was an accident with a tire punctured with the springs it would not affect the steering.

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

There was no meaningful event or evidence (noise, etc.)preceeding the discovery of the failure of both rear coil springs. I visually saw them after being removed and they had corroded and snapped completely through. They were found after requesting an inspection prior to the warranty expired. The Ford dealer said it was a common problem, but not covered by warranty. I carry no weight in the back of my car except 3 times weekly I have my grandchildren ages 2 and 3 1/2 years!! repair requires the replacement of struts as well. After getting a second opinion where the second coil spring was identified, I had the repair completed at a non-Ford repair facility.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

Complaint regarding the 2001 Ford Taurus front coil spring recall repairs. Recall campaign#04V332000. The consumer was driving home when the tire blewout because it was ripped completely around due to a rear cracked coil spring. The consumer had to replace 3 serpentine belts.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

I first noticed a grinding noise coming from the rear of my 2001 Ford Taurus. Looking under the rear of the car I noticed a gouge around the entire sidewall of the tire. After removing the left rear tire I found the rear coil spring was broken and was gouging the tire.I called the service department at whitmoyer Ford in mt. Joy, pa. To ask if there was a safety recall on the rear springs of this vehicle. He said there was not. I then called customer service at Ford in Michigan and reported the problem and requested if this dangerous defect could be repaired at no cost to me as the vehicle had only been driven 16,227 miles. I was told I would have to drive the car to the dealership about 15 to 20 miles to have the problem evaluated before a decision could be made if any of the cost would be paid by Ford. I was suprised by the lack of concern by Ford customer service to an obvious safety defect.

- Steelton, PA, USA

One of the rear coil springs broke and punctured through the tire and slashed it all the way around. It happened while going about 10-15 mph. Noticed it when replacing the tire. Had originally thought it was just a blow out. Looked at the axle area, and part of the coil spring was sticking out. Dealership found rear struts were bad due to broken rear coil springs and had to be replaced. Manufacturer not willing to fix under recall.

- Hackensack, NJ, USA

While I was driving on the highway at speeds approx 55 mph, my passenger rear tire blew out. I pulled over and put on my spare tire (donut). Later that day I replaced it with a brand new tire. Within 20 miles the same tire blew out again. After looking underneath I discovered the coil over the strut had ripped open the tire like a can opener.

- Mcdonald , PA, USA

Driving to work and a grinding noise came from right rear of car. Metal grinding against meytal noise. Moments later the right rear tire blew. I pulled over immediately to see what happened. Something had made a gouge in the inner part of the tire. After the car was placed on the tow truck, I could see a piece of metal dragging. The repair shop called a said the rear right spring broke and damaged the tire. I believe rusting caused the failure.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

When she got in to car she heard a loud pop.went to dealer and found out the rear coil spring broke on passenger's side. Dealer said she was lucky to make it to dealer. Had sheilds put on front coil springs a few months ago because of recall letter she got in September. Rear coil springs are not in recall. Has called manufacturer and was told they were not in recall and its up to her to pay for it. Repair was about $300. She still has left rear coil spring on her car and she is afraid it might go also.

- Lee, IL, USA

While driving at approximately 5 mph and approaching a stop sign the left rear coil spring broke and punctured the tire. The owner later contacted the manufacturer, and was told that there was nothing else they could do. All four tires were replaced due to cracking and not holding air.. two rear spring were replaced.

- Salem, MA, USA

The vehicle was coming out the parking lot when all of a sudden the consumer heard a noise coming from the back. Results showed that the rear left coil spring broke and penetrated to the tire. The coil spring had rusted, broken and was rubbing the inside of the tire. The left coil spring was replaced. Recall campaign# 04V332000.

- Plymouth, MN, USA