NHTSA Complaint #10252887 — 2002 FORD TAURUS

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY (12/17/08), THE DRIVER'S SIDE/FRONT OF MY 2002 FORD TAURUS SIMPLY COLLAPSED. THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED DROPPING THE FRONT VEHICLE STRUCTURE ONTO THE TIRE. A JAGGED COIL SPRING PIECE HAD ALSO RIPPED A LARGE GASH INTO THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL TIRE PRESSURE. THE REPAIR RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING PAIR (PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED AND IN VERY POOR MECHANICAL CONDITION), A SWAY BAR LINK, STRUT MOUNT, AND NEW TIRE (TOTAL COST-$600). ADDITIONALLY, I NEEDED A RENTAL CAR TO GET TO WORK DURING THE REPAIR PERIOD (ADDITIONAL $132). DUE TO THE CATASTROPHIC NATURE OF THE TIRE FAILURE, IF THIS INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I SUSPECT THAT SEVERE INJURY/DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBLE OUTCOME. *TR