NHTSA Complaint #10226413 — 2001 FORD FOCUS

SUNDAY MORNING (4/6/2008) I GOT IN MY CAR AND BACKED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL AND GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A VERY LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND. I PUT THE CAR UP ON JACK STANDS AND INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION. I FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS NOT SEATED ON THE STRUT BASE. AT THIS TIME I DROVE THE CAR TO SEARS AUTO REPAIR IN NOVI, MICHIGAN. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO SEARS THE SPRING MOVED A COUPLE TIMES, MADE SOME NOISE, AND AFFECTED THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. SEARS INSPECTED THE SPRINGS AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN A COUPLE PLACES AT THE TOP. I ENDED UP REPLACING BOTH SPRINGS AND IT COST $436.86. ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD FOCUS SPRINGS. I FOUND OUT IT WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. IN FACT FORD ISSUED A TSB (03M02S2) AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SPRINGS TO 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS (ONLY IF SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP). UNFORTUNATELY I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER I REPAIRED THE CAR ON SUNDAY. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD OF TSB ON THE SPRINGS. ALSO, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR USED (ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AGO) FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH SHOULD HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THINGS LIKE THIS (SPRING CORROSION). ON MONDAY (4/7/2008) I DECIDED TO CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE (800-392-3673) TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REIMBURSE MY EXPENSES AND DISCUSS THE SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT FORD DID NOT VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER DESIGNING SAFETY CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS (NOT COIL SPRINGS) AND TO ME THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. IF THE COIL SPRING WERE TO FRACTURE FURTHER AND CUT MY TIRE WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I CAN IMAGINE THAT WOULD NOT BE A VERY SAFE SITUATION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND FORD NOT ISSUING A RECALL OVER A POOR QUALITY SUSPENSION COMPONENT WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY. IF NEEDED I HAVE THE OLD PARTS IN MY POSSESSION. *TR