NHTSA Complaint #10398187 — 2002 MERCURY SABLE

WE WERE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, HEARD A "WHOOSH" AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD DEFLATED. CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT PUMPED UP OR THE SPARE PUT ON. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF, IT WAS STUCK. THE COIL SPRING HAD COME LOOSE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE COIL WAS STICKING THROUGH THE TIRE LIKE A MEAT HOOK. WE HAD TO CUT THE REST OF THE RUBBER ON THE TIRE TO RELEASE IT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND ARE AWAITING THE REPAIR ESTIMATE. DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THIS IS A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM ON FORD VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY THE MERCURY SABLE AND TAURUS. RECALLS ON 1999-2001 MODELS WERE NOT EXTENDED BEYOND THOSE YEARS, DESPITE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WE FEEL WE WERE VERY LUCKY IN THIS INSTANCE, AS THE PREVIOUS DAY, WE HAD A 230 MILE BUSINESS TRIP. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER AT 72MPH. *TR