2000 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE, AND SHE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PAN LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THIS REPAIRED IN APRIL 2004, AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER APRIL 2004 AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE OIL PAN LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BECAUSE IT WAS VISIBLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH 84654 FAILURE MILEAGE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HE HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND DECIDED NOT TO PROCEED. ON 3/11/07 THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED , AND THERE WAS A HUGE GASH IN THE INNER TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

I HAVE A FULLY LOADED 2000 MERCURY SABLE LS THAT HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AUTOMATIC ON HEADLIGHTS AND DRIVING LIGHTS. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. STRANGE, THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON BUT NO HEADLIGHTS. THIS MORNING I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A ROCK TRUCK. TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND THEY COME BACK ON. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU MANUALLY TURN THE SWITCH THEY WILL COME BACK ON. THIS COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR INCIDENT IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I'M DRIVING ALONG A 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE COIL SPRING RECALL REPAIR, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT OF THE FEE TO REMOVE AND INSTALL THE SHOCKS SINCE SHE DIDN'T WANT THEM REPAIRED. THE OCONTACT STATED THE SHOCK FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COIL SPRING RECALL. TWO WEEKS PRIOR THE SHOCKS PASSED THE INSPECTION. *AK

FORD TAURUS/MERCURY SABLE REAR COIL SPRINGS. ALTHOUGH, NOT UNDER RECALL, THE REAR SPRINGS APPEAR JUST AS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE AS THE FRONT SPRINGS WHICH ARE UNDER RECALL. ON 2/23/07 THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THIS WAS WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH ONLY 59,000 MILES. MY BROTHER IN LAW IS THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND SAID "I'M SURPRISED WE HAVEN'T SEEN A RECALL ON THE REAR SPRINGS TOO. WE HAVE HAD ABOUT THREE OF THESE IN THE LAST MONTH." THIS IS A SERVICE MANAGER WITH A FOUR YEAR DEGREE IN AUTO TECH AND 30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE AUTO TECH HAD TO TWIST THE SPRING INTO A POSITION SO NOT TO PUNCTURE THE TIRE UNTIL ANOTHER APPOINTMENT COULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS. IN THIS CASE I PAID MORE THAN $450 TO MAKE THE REPAIR. BASED ON ALL THE INTERNET DISCUSSION ON TAURUS/SABLE REAR SPRING FAILURE IT IS A PROBLEM WORTHY OF A RECALL. *8JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL REGARDING 2000 MERCURY SABLES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD BEFORE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL APPLIED ONLY TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED SPRINGS WITH ONES FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE MUFFLER BAFFLE. ALSO, THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT FORD WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SPRING THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,798 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE STRUTS AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/09/07 *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. IN APRIL 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR A BOOT TO BE PUT ON THE COIL SPRINGS. THE FORD DEALER REFUSED TO PUT THE BOOT ON BECAUSE THE CONTACT HAD PUT AFTERMARKET STRUTS ON THE VEHICLE. IN OCTOBER 2006, THE CONTACT STARTED HEARING A THUMPING NOISE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATED. THE CONTACT HAD REPAIRS DONE AT A FORD DEALER, REPLACED THE BACK SPRINGS, TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS. ON 11/24/2006, THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND PULLED OVER BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE DRIVER FRONT SPRING BROKE. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE SPRING, BUT NOT FOR THE TIRE AND THE TIE ROD. *AK THE SWAY BAR LINK, STRUTS, BALL JOINTS AND CV BOOT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR HER 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE RECALL LETTER, CAMPAIGN NUMBER # 04V332000 IS RELATED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR COIL SPRINGS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR ON JANUARY 15, 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE INTERIOR SIDEWALL WAS TEARING DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE COIL SPRING . THE TIRE COMPANY DIDN'T RECOMMEND HER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FRONT COIL SPRING RECALL AND THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT IF THERE WAS A FUTURE RECALL FOR THE REAR SPRINGS SHE SHOULD KEEP ALL REPAIR ORDERS FOR FUTURE REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON THAT OCCASIONALLY WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF BRIEFLY AND THE THEFT LIGHT FLASHES. FREQUENTLY IT WILL NOT CRANK UNTIL YOU GO THROUGH MULTIPLE ACTIONS, OFF UNLOCKING THE DOORS AND PUSHING THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE REMOTE. ONE TIME I COULD NOT GET IT TO CRANK AT ALL AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES NOW (IT IS CURRENTLY THERE) AND I HAVE SPENT THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS ON THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB

BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE.... THE SAME BRAKE SWITCH AND FAILURE COVERED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, A RUBBING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION, THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND WAS CUTTING INTO THE SIDE WALL OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/30/06.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR STATE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE COIL SPRING, REAR STRUT, AND REAR SWAY BAR LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO INFLATE THE REAR TIRES DAILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE COIL SPRINGS CORRODING AND PUNCTURING THE TIRES. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO ONE MENTIONED IN RECALL#04V332000, SUSPENSION:FRONT SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. *AK UPDATE 4/23/07*TR

MY 200 SABLE WAS IN THE GARAGE AT 9:30 PM ON SATURDAY AND MY WIFE AND I HEARD A BANG. I THOUGHT SOME ONE WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY HOME SO I WENT OUTSIDE AND LOOKED AROUND, NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON SUNDAY MORNING MY WIFE WENT TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND FELT A LITTLE RESISTANCE SO SHE STEPPED A LITTLE MORE ON THE GAS AND A BIG BANG HAPPENED, MY NEIGHBOR WAS OUTSIDE AND CAME OVER THINKING SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ONE OF US IN THE GARAGE. WE LOOKED AND FOUND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD GONE INTO THE FRONT TIRE. WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR DUE TO THE COIL SPRING INSIDE THE TIRE. ON MONDAY I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE GARAGE WHERE I HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLES. THE TOW TRUCK HAD TO DRAG THE CAR OUT OF MY GARAGE RIPPING THE TIRE OPEN LIKE A CAN OPENER, LEAVING A LONG BLACK MARK IN THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS HAD RECALLS ON THE SPRINGS AND WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME THE SPRING BROKE. I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAYS, BUY NEW FRONT TIRES AND SPRINGS, AT A COST OF OVER $500.00. IN OCTOBER I RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL FOR THE SPRING RECALL. I HAVE BEEN CALLING FORD PEOPLE GETTING A RUN AROUND FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY COSTS DUE TO THE RECALL. EVERYONE I TALK TO SAYS IT IS THE OTHERS RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY IF I GET REIMBURSED OR NOT. I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS AND I AM STILL BEING DENIED PAYMENT. THE FORD REP IS SAYING I WILL NOT BE PAID BECAUSE I HAD 4 LETTERS ABOUT THIS RECALL AND I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER TO BE FIXED. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT RECALL ANY LETTERS FROM FORD IN REGARDS TO THIS RECALL. THE LAST TIME I HAD THE CAR INTO A FORD DEALER WAS IN 2004 FOR A BRAKE LIGHT RECALL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I HAVE A 5 YEAR 150,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE HELP OR SUGGESTIONS ON GETTING MY REFUND FOR FORDS IRRESPONSIBILITY OF PUTTING BAD PARTS ON VEHICLES. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH A SPEED CONTROL THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF EXCEPT BY STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL WAS REACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. I CANNOT GET ANY SATISFACTION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. *JB

I TOOK THE CAR INTO SERVICE FOR A ROUTINE BRAKE CHECK AND A PROBLEM WITH BOTH REAR TIRES LEAKING AIR AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING FRACTURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT LEFT A 2 INCH SHARP PROJECTILE AGAINST THE TIRE. I REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS AND TIRES. *JB

2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE RIGHT REAR SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKE PADS A GROOVE WAS FOUND ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE THAT WAS CAUSED BY A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THERE IS A RECALL #04V332000 CONCERNING THE FRONT COIL SPRING. THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REAR COIL SPRINGS.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY NAME TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED BREAKING OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ON THE 2000 SABLE. I SEE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT DO NOT SEE WHERE THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALL ON THOSE. *JB

MY 2000 MERCURY SABLE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, AND DAMAGED MY STRUT ALSO. I WAS VERY LUCKY AS THE TIRE WAS NOT DAMAGED. I HAD TO RUSH THE CAR TO MONROE TO FIX IT ASAP. COST ME $800. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL THIS PART AND PAY OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY FIXED IT ON THEIR OWN EXPENSE. I BELIEVE ODI HAS A OPEN CASE ON THIS PE05-054. THE SPRING WAS BROKEN WHEN THE DEALER SOLD ME TO CAR, BUT NEVER INFORMED ME. WHEN I CALLED THEM THE GENERAL MANAGER WANTED ME TO SHOW HIM BUT I WAS NOT GOING TO DRIVE 30 MILES AND PUT MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NICK MAYER LINCOLN MERCURY. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH HE ABS LIGHT -BOTH SENSOR HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2000 - I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY KEEP SAYING THERE WAS NOT THING WRONG - NOW I HAVE TAKEN TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS COMPUTER HAS BLOWN AND G IT WILL COST $2000.00 TO FIX. *NM

THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE (TURN OFF) WHILE IN MOTION UNLESS YOU TAP THE BRAKES, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CAR CRASH. *JB

2000 SABLE'S LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. *TS THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE LF BUMPER, FENDER, TIRE WELL, LF DOOR AND MIRROR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 10-45 MPH, THERE WAS A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THIS CAUSED AN EIGHTH OF AN INCH GROOVE IN THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE. UPON TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER PUTTING THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE TIRE AFTER IT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS FRACTURING, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THE REAR SPRINGS. THEY REPLACED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK

AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHILE COMPLETING THE TURN, I HEARD A LOUD THUMP IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND EXAMINED THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE NEARLY RUBBING ON THE TIRES. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AT THE FIRST COIL. AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. AT THE BREAK, THE ENTIRE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF ONE SPRING AND ONE QUARTER OF THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE OTHER ARE RUSTED. I HAVE THE SPRINGS. *JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 SABLE SEDAN VIN [XXX]. ON APRIL 7, 2006 THE LEFT REAR STRUT SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. ( A 2" DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT BETWEEN THE GARAGE FLOOR AND THE DRIVEWAY) MY INSPECTION REVEALED A RUBBING NOISE CAUSED BY THE BROKEN SPRING COIL GOUGING INTO THE TIRE!! FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN ABOUT 100 FT AND THE TIRE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY SCRAPED. IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY!! THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HINES PARK LINCOLN MERCURY ON 4/10/06 AT A COST OF $413.38. I BELIEVE A CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT ACTION SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM AND A RECALL OF THE AFFECTED SPRINGS MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS SWERVING TO THE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE.

CAR WAS IN WITH MY MECHANIC FOR YEARLY SAFETY/EMISSIONS INSPECTION. MY MECHANIC FOUND THAT A REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. *JB

LEFT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. TAKING OUT THE STRUTS, LEFT REAR TIRE, AND DISABLING THE AUTO. AUTO WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. BOTH REAR SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER REPAIRING WAS CAUSEWAY FORD, LINCOLN MERCURY IN MANAHAWKIN NEW JERSEY. *NM

REAR RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE AND TORE UP TIRE ON 2000 MERCURY SABLE. *TR

ON 12/15/2005, I WAS DRIVING MY TWO KIDS TO SCHOOL IN MY 2000 MERCURY SABLE WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE (ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD) BLEW OUT. I SWERVED AND CAME TO REST ON A GRASSY MEDIAN. MY KIDS AND I WERE PRETTY SHAKEN UP BUT I MANAGED TO COMPOSE MYSELF TO GET OUT AND CHANGE THE TIRE. AS CARS DROVE RELATIVELY CLOSE TO ME, I MANAGED TO GET THE SPARE ON AND NOTICED THAT MY TIRE HAD A GROOVE CARVED ON THE INSIDE WITH A DEEP PUNCTURE. I SEARCHED TO SEE WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN THE SHARP BROKEN EDGE PROTRUDED OUT. LUCKILY THIS DID NOT INTERFERE WITH THE SMALL SPARE TIRE. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER (REEDMAN/TOLL) AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE REAR SPRINGS AND THAT IT WOULD BE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I AM CURRENTLY SHOPPING AROUND TO GET THE BEST PRICE (SO FAR $505.00 TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS) I HAVE JUST RESEARCHED THE NHTSA SITE AND WAS APPALLED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AND FORD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH OR TWO BEFORE A RECALL WILL BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS? I NOTICED THAT A FORMAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION WAS UNDERWAY AS OF OCTOBER 2005 ON THE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURES BASED ON 131 COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE OUTCOME OF STUDY. IS IT ONGOING OR HAS A CONCLUSION BEEN REACHED? I WILL SAVE MY OLD PARTS. *NM

PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THOUGHT THAT HIT SOMETHING, BUT WHEN LOOKING DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THEN STARTED HEARING A NOISE IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. DROVE CAR TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY SHOWED HER THE BROKEN COIL AND THE INSIDE OF TIRE THAT HAD BEEN GOUGED OUT DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. HAD TO HAVE THE COIL REPLACED ON BOTH WHEELS BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE WAS ABOUT TO SNAP ALSO. HAD TO BUY A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE THE RUINED ONE.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND MAKING A NOISE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. . SHE HAD NOT HAD THE REPAIRS MADE YET. *AK

DIAGNOSTIC FROM DEALER; RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKEN; TIRE BRUISED SIDEWALL (TIRES WERE JUST INSTALLED ON 10/21/05). REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND REPLACE BOTH REAR STABILIZER LINKS. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED ON A FLAT BED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE FIXED. HAD TO HAVE FRONT SPRINGS FIXED (7/25/05) AS THEY BROKE ALSO. *JB

ON THREE OCCASIONS OVER PAST FEW WEEKS, MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THEY BOTH TURN OFF FOR 1-3 SECONDS, AND THEN TURN BACK ON. ALL OTHER LIGHTS (INTERIOR INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, AND EXTERIOR PARKING LIGHTS) REMAIN ON. I DID NOT HIT ANY BUMPS OR HAVE ANY OTHER SHAKING THAT WOULD INDICATE A LOOSE WIRE. THIS WAS BOTH HEADLIGHTS, SO I DO NOT EXPECT A LOOSE BULB OR SINGLE WIRE. *NM

DT: 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT COIL BUSTED AND PUNCTURED A TIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE CONSUMER ALREADY HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, THEY TOLD HER IT WAS THE FRONT COIL THAT BUSTED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THIS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR. *AK

POWERSTEARING UNIT RACKED PINION STEERING AND LEFT FRONT DRIVE UNIT FAILED COOLANT LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON WITH NO PROBLOMS ALONG WITH THE EMISSIONS LIGHT WITH NO PROBLOMS

CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH/CONTROLLER - CANNOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL VIA ON/OFF SWITCH, ONLY BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH. TAPPING THE BRAKES WILL DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE FUNCTION BUT WILL NOT TURN IT OFF. WE HAD A NEAR MISS OF AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. OEM MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS SITUATION BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.*JB

DT: 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED OCCASIONALLY WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL IDLE ROUGHLY AND THEN SHUT DOWN. WHILE AT THE LIGHT, HE HAS TO KEEP IT IDLING BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH 45,500 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A TIRE STORE FOR NEW TIRES WHEN THE MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN COIL SPRING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND THE BROKEN COIL END WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THEY SAID THE TIRE WAS PROBABLY MINUTES AWAY FROM FAILURE AND THERE WAS A GROOVE WORN WHERE IT WAS RUBBING. I KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BREAKING BECAUSE I HAD THE SO CALLED FORD FIX COMPLETED WHICH MENT INSTALLING A SHIELD TO PREVENT THE SPRING FROM BLOWING OUT THE FRONT TIRES. NOW IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS HAVING THE SAME FAILURE MODE. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.

RE: CAMPAIGN #04V332000 (FORD RECALL #04517 FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE NOTED AS DEFECTIVE, SHIELDS INSTALLED. ONE SPRING ON FRONT BROKE 4 MONTHS LATER AND BOTH FRONT WERE REPLACED. THE NEXT WEEK ONE REAR SPRING BROKE. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR SPRINGS, BOTH ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. WHY IS ONLY THE FRONT COVERED? MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. DID NOT PRVIDE ANY REAL ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM. I WANT THE REAR SPRINGS CONSIDERED ASS PART OF THIS RECALL.

2000 MERCURY SABLE LS WAGON REAR ROOF BRAKE LIGHT REFLECTOR. THIS BRAKE LAMP REFLECTOR LENS HAS COME APART BECAUSE OF A POOR SEALANT USED TO GLUE THE REFLECTOR LENS TO THE BODY OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS LEAVES THE TOP REAR BRAKE LAMP EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND NO RED REFLECTIVE LIGHT FOR VEHICLES BEHIND TO SEE. *NM

BROKEN REAR COIL SPRING. *JB

DT: CAR WAS PARKED AND UPON STARTING ENGINE THERE WAS LOUD NOISE LIKE A BANG. DISCOVERED TIRE WAS FLAT. CONSUMER'S SON IN LAW CHANGED THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FAILED AND CAUSED TIRE TO "EXPLODE". THIS OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK TO A SERVICE DEALER, MIDAS WHO CHECKED TIRES AND NOTED BOTH THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE ON BOTH SIDES ALSO CAUSING WEAR TO THE TIRES. MIDAS REPLACED ALL COIL SPRINGS ON VEHICLE AS WELL AS NEW TIRES. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT SHE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL THAT HER DAUGHTER INFORMED HER ABOUT ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. (NO NHTSA RECALL CAMP. ID NUMBER TO REFERENCE THIS RECALL AT THIS TIME.} THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BUT CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT RECALL UNTIL AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY MIDAS AND CONSUMER PAID $1,100. *NM

DT: THE PROBLEM BEGAN ON 6/16/05. IN FEBRUARY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS, AND IT WAS REPAIRED. IT WAS THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. AS OWNER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A POP, THEN UPON ENTERING THE GARAGE A RUBBING FEELING COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, AND WAS MAKING A GROWLING SOUND. UPON INSPECTION THE TIRE HAD SHREDDED DUE TO THE COIL SPRING BUSTING. THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND SWAY BAR LINKS AND REPLACED TWO REAR TIRES. *TT

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR BROKEN REAR SPRING AND NEW TIRE INSTALLED ON 2000 MERCURY SABLE. *TS THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT BOTH SPRINGS HAD CRACKS IN THEM. *JB

DT: MERCURY SABLE 2000. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD HER THAT IT WAS BECAUSE SHE WAS PULLING A TRAILER WITH HER VEHICLE. BUT SHE STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED SHE WAS NOT PULLING THE TRAILER, IT DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE TRAILER HITCH ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS AROUND JUNE, 2003. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS JUNE 1ST,2005. THE THIRD TIME WAS JUNE 15, 2005. *AK *SC *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHT IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ONE END OF THE BULB WAS DISCONNECTED TO SAVE THE BATTERY. ALSO, THE INTERIOR LOCKS WORKED ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES THE LOCKS LOCKED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED AND OTHER TIMES IT COULD BE 15 MINUTES OR LONGER BEFORE IT WOULD LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

I TOOK BY VEHICLE TO A TIRE RETAILER TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE WHEELS HE FOUND THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER SPRING SEAT. THE FRACTURED END OF THE COIL SPRING REMAINED CAPTURED IN THE LOWER COIL SPRING SEAT SO THAT THERE IS NO CONTACT (YET) BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE NATURE OF THE FRACTURE IS SUCH THAT CORROSION IS DEEMED THE SOURCE OF FAILURE. THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER REFERRED ME TO BY LOCAL VEHICLE DEALERSHIP. IN FACT, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME MINE WAS THE "THIRD COIL SPRING FAILURE IN THE PAST MONTH" THAT HE'D SEEN ON 2000 FORD TAURUS/MERCURY SABLES, ONE OF THEM FROM HIS OWN FLEET! I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL CAMPAIGN, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 04V332000 , DESCRIBING DEFECTIVE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MODE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL AND IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 04-044 IS THE SAME MODE OF FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS COMPLAINT FOR THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THOUGH, THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN ANY RECALL ISSUED TO ADDRESS THE DEFECTIVE REAR COIL SPINGS OF THIS VEHICLE. AS I WRITE THIS I AM ATTEMPTING TO ARRANGE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH MY LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE THE ALL THE CAR'S COIL SPRINGS REPLACED, HOPEFULLY UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE VERY LEAST I RECOMMEND NHTSA RE-OPEN INVESTIGATION PE 04-044 AND EXAMINE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE FOR THE SAME VEHICLES (1999-2000 FORD TAURUS/MERCURY SABLE). CONSEQUENCES FOR REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ARE THE SAME AS FOR FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE, DESCRIBED IN RECALL 04V332000: "TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH." DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME SHOULD YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.