NHTSA Complaint #10457923 — 2003 FORD TAURUS

ON JANUARY 5, 2011 MY ELDEST DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR CAR IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA NEAR OUR HOME. AS SHE DROVE OVER A MANHOLE SHE HEARD A NOISE AND THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SCRAPE THE PAVEMENT. SHE STOPPED TO INSPECT, BUT NOT NOTICING ANYTHING UNUSUAL SHE CONTINUED ON. A MILE LATER SHE GOT A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. AFTER CALLING FOR HELP SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HELPED CHANGE THE TIRE, BUT I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS RIDING LOW. WHEN I WENT TO GET A NEW TIRE I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A GREATER PROBLEM. A BROKEN SPRING! THAT IS WHAT HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE NEXT DAY(S) WE GOT THE FRONT END REPAIRED AND A NEW TIRE MOUNTED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM ON EARLIER TAURUS MODELS. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR 2003 MODELS! ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE CLOSED YOUR INVESTIGATION (EA0818) PLEASE ADD THIS COMPLAINT TO YOUR FILE. *TR