NHTSA Complaint #10227975 — 2002 FORD TAURUS

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY RAPID RELEASE OF AIR FROM MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND THAT THE PROTRUDING SHARP END HAD REACHED OUT AND SNAGGED THE TIRE RIPPING A GASH 16 INCHES LONG IN THE INNER SIDEWALL. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE WILL BE REQUIRED. SPRING WHICH FAILED SHOWED RUST PENETRATION AT POINT OF FAILURE TO BE ABOUT 30% OF THE CROSS SECTION OF THE SPRING WIRE DIAMETER. THE PAINTED COATING ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE AT THE POINT OF BREAKAGE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SURFACE RUST ON THE SPRINT IN THAT AREA. THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS ON OTHER AREAS OF THE PAINTED COATING THAT CORROSION IS PRESENT UNDER THE COATING. I HAVE BOTH PARTS OF THE BROKEN SPRING IN MY POSSESSION. *TR