NHTSA Complaint #10327648 — 2003 MERCURY SABLE

MY 2003 SABLE SUFFERED A FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FRACTURE THAT DESTROYED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO A FENCE POST WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE COIL SPRING THAT SLICED INTO THE TIRE WAS PINPOINT SHARP, AS WAS THE SMALLER PORTION OF THE SPRING THAT FELL OFF THE CAR. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DESTROYED, THE STRUT AN SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FENCE POST DAMAGED THE LEFT DOOR OF THE CAR. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHREDDED TO PIECES AND THE CAR WOULD BE SENT OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER 4 DAYS AFTER THE FRONT SPRING FAILURE AND FOUND TO HAVE CORROSION ON THE REAR SPRINGS WITH THE PAINT OR ENAMEL ON THE SPRING COMPROMISED CAUSING RUSTING ON THE SPRINGS AN POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUTURE FAILURE OF THE SPRINGS. *TR