NHTSA Complaint #10228957 — 2000 MERCURY SABLE

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH 45,000 MILES. I REPLACED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AROUND 28-30 THOUSAND MILES BECAUSE OF A BREAKAGE, IN WHICH THE DEALER IS TAKING CARE OF GETTING THOSE REIMBURSED, BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE. ON 19 MAY 2008 GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO SUNDAY BREAKFAST AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE & STARTED BACKING UP HEARD A NOISE, JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE BREAKS SINCE IT WASN'T DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS. GOT ABOUT HALF WAY THERE & SMELLED SOMETHING NASTY WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS, GOT TURNED AROUND TO HEAD BACK HOME & POW! THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLOWS OUT. IN CHANGING OUT THE TIRE TO THE SPARE I LOOKED & THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKE & WORE A FINE GROOVE IN THE BACK OF THE TIRE WHICH IS WHAT STUNK & PUNCTURED IT. FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE & LOOKED AROUND WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED & FOUND THE PIECE OF COIL SPRING THAT BROKE OFF WHEN I STARTED BACKING IT UP TO LEAVE. IN LOOKING AT THE BREAK IT WAS CLEAN BUT HAD RUST STREAKS RUNNING INTO THE BREAKAGE AREA. IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR POSSIBLE BREAKAGE IN WHICH IT DID, WOULD LEAD ME TO THINK THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE METAL THEY ARE MADE OF IF I REPLACED THE FRONT AT 28-30,000 MILES FOR THE SAME BREAKAGE. NOW, IT HAS 45,000 MILES WHICH IS WELL UNDER WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE FOR THAT YEAR, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR ONES. PLUS, I NOT ONLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS IN THE REAR, BUT ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE A TIRE & GET ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR THE TIME THAT THIS ONE IS DOWN. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *TR