NHTSA Complaint #10328299 — 2002 MERCURY SABLE

MY FATHER WENT TO MOVE OUR 2002 MERCURY SABLE, WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN STORAGE. AFTER CLIMBING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HE HEARD A LOUD "BANG"; WHEN HE CHECKED THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. HE JACKED UP THE CAR TO REMOVE THE WHEEL FOR REPAIR, AND FOUND THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN, CUTTING THE TIRE. WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM HE MENTIONED HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH HIS 2001 SABLE, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. IT APPEARS FORD HAS NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM, AND WANTS TO SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. I'M JUST THANKFUL IT HAPPENED WHILE SITTING IN A GARAGE, AND NOT WHEN MY WIFE OR CHILDREN WERE IN IT. WE JUST STUCK A LOT OF MONEY INTO A HEAD GASKET REPAIR ON THE ENGINE (A PROBLEM I'D HEARD OF OTHERS HAVING WITH THIS ENGINE), BUT HADN'T HEARD HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAD TURNED UP WITH TAURUS/ SABLES. THIS IS ALMOST AS BAD AS THE TOYOTA'S; HOW MANY OF THESE ARE ON THE ROAD WITH SPRINGS THAT COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME? FORD NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS, NOW. *TR