NHTSA Complaint #10188701 — 2000 MERCURY SABLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL REGARDING 2000 MERCURY SABLES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD BEFORE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL APPLIED ONLY TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED SPRINGS WITH ONES FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE MUFFLER BAFFLE. ALSO, THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT FORD WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SPRING THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,798 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE STRUTS AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/09/07 *TR