NHTSA Complaint #10497947 — 2002 MERCURY SABLE

I STARTED MY CAR AND STARTED TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE. I WENT ABOUT 1 FOOT WHEN I HEARD A POP, THEN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR DROPPED INSTANTLY. THE TIRE WAS FLAT, SO TOOK ANOTHER VEHICLE TO WORK. WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK, I JACKED THE CAR UP TO PULL THE TIRE OFF, BUT COULDN'T. AT INSPECTING THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY IN NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS INTO THE TIRE SIDE WALL. NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED, I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO CAME THE NEXT DAY TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TIRE OFF THE CAR AND WE SAW THAT THE BOTTOM PART OF THE SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF AND WENT INTO THE TIRE. MY MECHANIC SAID BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH THE TIRE AND STRUT SUPPORT. HE SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING, BECAUSE I OR PERSONS COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED. I DRIVE 22 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK ON HILLY AND WINDY ROADS. THE BROKE SPRING WAS NOT DAMAGED OR HAVE ANY CORROSION. THERE WAS A RECALL OF SABLE AND TAURUS VEHICLES (NHTSA #04V332000) FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2002 SABLE / TAURUS. WHY HASN'T THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE EARLIER VEHICLES BE EXTENDED TO YEAR 2002? *TR