NHTSA Complaint #10374728 — 2002 FORD TAURUS

2002 FORD TAURUS SES WITH APROX 125K MILES FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM END, THE SPRING EXTENDED TO THE NEXT COIL, THE BROKEN END CUT THROUGH THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE LOOKED AS IF IT WAS CUT WITH A RAZOR, THE SPRING COMPLETELY SEVERED THE TIRE AT THE JUNCTION OF THE TOP OF THE SIDE WALL AND THE TREAD. BOTH SIDES OF THE TIRE REMAINED SEATED ON THE RIM. THE SPRING BROKE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVE THAT IS LEVEL WITH THE STREET. THE OPERATOR HEARD A CLUNK AND THOUGHT THAT ICE HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE FENDER, AS EXPERIENCED IN WINTER OPERATIONS. THE CAR WAS OPERATED 100 FEET THEN THE OPERATOR FELT THE FLAT TIRE. THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE CAR WAS LOW TO THE GROUND WITHOUT THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE SPRING THE LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE UNDER THE EXTRA WEIGHT. THE BROKEN PIECE FROM THE LINK WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES OF THE OUTER BALL RETENTION CUP (UPPER END OF THE LINK). IT IS PLASTIC. THIS CAR IS THE MODEL YEAR AFTER AN ESTABLISHED RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE, A REPORT WAS FILLED WITH FORD. THE FL STRUT AND SPRING WHERE REPLACED. THE RIGHT SPRING WAS BOUGHT WITH THE LEFT AND WILL BE INSTALLED WITH A NEW STRUT SHORTLY. ALSO THE LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK WILL BE REPLACED. ALL FAILED COMPONENTS ARE RETAINED BY THE OWNER, (WE WHERE ABLE TO GET THE STUFF OUT OF THE DRIVE)WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TIRE. THE OWNER HAS PHOTOS OF THE TIRE AND THE SPRING ( STILL INSTALLED ) THE MORNING THIS HAPPENED. INSPECTION OF THE SPRING AT THE BREAK SHOWS SIGNS OF INTERGRANLURE CORROSION THROUGH THE SPRING EMANATING FROM FILIFORM CORROSION ON THE SURFACE. OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR USED, IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE SPRING WAS ORIGINAL OR A REPLACEMENT. *TR