NHTSA Complaint #10512596 — 2001 FORD TAURUS

WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD TAURUS SES TODAY AT CITY SPEEDS (30 MPH) I HEARD A VERY LOUD METALLIC CLANKING SOUND. I DROVE STRAIGHT HOME AND WE PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT TO INSPECT. WE FOUND THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE RUST/CORROSION. WE LIVE IN ILLINOIS & CALLED FORD TO SEE ABOUT THE RECALL (04V332-4235) AND HOW TO GO ABOUT REPAIRING THIS. THE AGENT CHECKED OUR VIN AND TOLD US THAT OUR CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL DESPITE HAVING BEEN PRODUCED IN THE CHICAGO MANUFACTURING PLANT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PLANTS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. OUR TIRE WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING SHREDDED BY THE BROKEN SPRING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE OUR CAR SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS RECALL AND STATED TO THE FORD AGENT THAT I WAS DISSATISFIED BY THE APPARENT RUNAROUND I WAS RECEIVING. I REQUESTED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO BE MADE, AND HE STATED HE WOULD PLACE MY COMPLAINT IN THEIR DATABASE. IF HE ACTUALLY DID, I HAVE NO IDEA. ALL CARS PRODUCED IN THE TIME FRAME AT THE CHICAGO PLANT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR