NHTSA Complaint #10242221 — 2000 MERCURY SABLE

THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE STORE/AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR EVALUATION OF EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND SAGGING REAR SUSPENSION. MECHANIC FOUND BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN IN ABOUT THE SAME SPOTS WHILE EXAMINING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 3 YEARS AGO DUE TO BROKEN FRONT SPRINGS. OWNER ALREADY AWARE THAT REAR SPRINGS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL OR SUBJECT TO RECALL OF THEIR OWN. SPRINGS AND WORN STRUTS REPLACED, ALONG WITH NEW TIRES INSTALLED. COST OF NEW SPRINGS AND LABOR ALONE $250. OWNER INFORMED THAT PREMATURE TIRE WEAR (WEAR BARS SHOWING AND INNER SIDE WALL WEAR AT 26,000 MILES ON 40,000 MILE WARRANTY TIRES) WAS ATTRIBUTED TO BROKEN SPRINGS WHICH RENDERED VEHICLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THUS VOIDING WARRANTY ON TIRES. SPRINGS WERE NOT BROKEN WHEN THE TIRES WERE FIRST INSTALLED. THIS REQUIRED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE TO REPLACE TIRES THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN SO BADLY WORN IN 2 YEARS TIME. TOTAL EXPENDITURE TO REPLACE TIRES, STRUTS AND SPRINGS $900. *TR