2001 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

PASSENGER SIDE; REAR SPRING AND STRUT OF 2001 MERCURY SABLE FAILED CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP AND MINOR LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT WAS BENT. REPAIR COST OVER $700. WAS TOLD FRONT SPRINGS UNDER RECALL BUT NOT REAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND I FELT A VIBRATION. I MADE A DECISION TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND GET OFF THE ROADWAY AND STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO USE MY BRAKE I FELT THE RESISTANCE HALF WAY DOWN AND THEN IT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SAW MYSELF GAINING ON THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I QUICKLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND UP ON THE SIDEWALK HITTING THE CURB IN THE PROCESS AND THEN INSTEAD OF HITTING A STORE WALL I TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND HEADED DEAD CENTER FOR AN EDISON POLE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL ME WHO TO GET TO LOOK INTO MY BRAKE SYSTEM TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG. I AM SO SCARED TO EVER DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND MAINTAINED WELL. NEVER HAD ANY HINT THAT MY BRAKES WERE FAULTY. MY CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT AND HE SAID THE BODY CAN BE FIXED. HE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE BRAKES. I NEED AN EXPERT TO LOOK AT THOSE BRAKES. CAN YOU HELP ME???? MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

MY MASTER CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES. I CRASHED MY CAR INTO A POLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED MY CAR. AFTER A CAR IS TOTALED THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD ONLY SEND IT TO THE SALVAGE YARD. I INSISTED ON KNOWING WHAT WENT WRONG. A SIMPLE TEST WAS DONE BY TURNING ON THE MOTOR AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF IT GOES TO THE FLOOR GRADUALLY THEN YOU KNOW IT WAS A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH ME AND THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T EITHER. HOW MANY CARS FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS AND THE REASON FOR SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURE NEVER REACHES THE VERY PEOPLE WHO CAN CORRECT IT?? *TR

HAVE A 2001 SABLE THAT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BUSTED. COST IS OVER $900 TO REPLACE. SAW ON MANY FORMS THAT OTHER SABLE OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE. MERCURY REPLACED FRONT COILS, BUT NOT BACK......WHY NOT? *TR

2001 MERCURY SABLE TAKEN IN FOR TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE. WHEN THE REAR TIRES WERE REMOVED, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AT BASE. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY IN THAT THE BREAKS WERE TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR AND NOT TOWARDS THE TIRE SIDE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE TIRE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WOULD NOT BALANCE, IT WOBBLED, RESULTING IN PURCHASING A NEW TIRE. COST TO REPAIR, $550.00. I AM NO METALLURGIST, BUT LOOKING AT THE BREAKS I'D SAY THAT IT LOOKS LIKE POOR HEAT TREATMENT OF THE METAL COIL THAT CAUSED THE BREAKS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2001 TAURUS FOR SAME COIL BREAKING PROBLEM (SAME BODY AS SABLE). WHY IS THERE NO RECALL BY FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM?. BECAUSE IN THIS COUNTRY THERE HAS TO BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE ANY ONE REACTS. HOW PATHETIC IS THAT!.

REAR OF MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE HAD BEEN SAGGING FOR SOME TIME, TO THE POINT I WAS AFRAID THAT THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL WOULD HIT THE TOP OF THE TIRE, (ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE REAR END DID BOTTOM OUT ON SLIGHTLY STEEP INCLINES). I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, WHO SAID THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD FAILED (BROKE), AND FROM THE RUST ACCUMULATED ON THE BRAKE AREAS, IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOMETIME. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN QUINCY WHO SAID THAT THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE. I HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC, (MY BROTHER DUE TO THE HIGH COST), REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCKS. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS (ROAD SALT CORROSION), BUT I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OTHER SABLES/TAURUS'S HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I WORK NIGHTS IN KANKAKEE,I HAD JUST GOT OFF OF WORK AND WAS HEADING HOME ON ROUTE 45/52 SOUTH 3 MILES FROM KANKAKEE AT 60 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER THE LEFT TIRE BLEW,I PULLED OVER TO CHANGE THE TIRE,WHEN I REMOVED THE WHEEL I NOTICED THE TIRE (SIDE FACING COIL SPRING)LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN CUT OPEN LIKE THE TOP OF A TIN CAN,I THEN NOTICED THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD A SHARP EDGE PROTRUDING TOWARD WHERE THE INNER SIDE WALL WOULD BE,I MEAN THIS TIRE WAS CUT ALL THE WAY IN A PERFECT CIRCLE APROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM THE WHEEL EDGE,WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR THAT WAS PASSING ANOTHER CAR. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, BUT NOT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER TO THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND DURING THE VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE A PART OF RECALL # 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE AFTER MARKET PARTS, HE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $250 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE - PUNCTURE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE DEALER NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THERE WAS RECALL # 04V332000 FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

LEFT REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE WITH ONLY 48,000 MILES. SPRING WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE. LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE TREAD. NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TIRE REPLACEMENT. I LEARNED OF AN NHTSA PROBE OF THIS PROBLEM ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM. *TR

FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL FOR FRONT SPRINGS ON 2001 MERCURY SABLES BUT NOT REAR SPRINGS MY VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 60,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS DUE TO BRAKING HOW IS THE REAR SPRINGS ANY LESS OF A DANGER THEN THE FRONT SPRINGS

HEARD A LOUD BANG IN REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SPRING. I THEN FOUND OUT THERE WAS A DEALER RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS DUE TO THEM BREAKING PREMATURELY, BUT NO RECALL ON THE REAR SPRING. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE REAR STRUT AND SPRING. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS (RECALL# 04V332000). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR. HE LOOKED IN THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR AND HE COULD SEE PART OF THE COIL SPRING FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE COIL SPRING. THE DEALER NOTICED THERE WAS MISSING PIECES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS (RECALL #04V332000). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

WE OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WHICH WAS RECALLED PREVIOUSLY DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS BREAKING ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. GUARDS WERE PLACED ON THE FRONT SPRINGS TO AVOID TIRE PUNCTURES.*AK IN MAY 2007 MY WIFE TRAVELLED ABOUT 200 MILES WITH PASSENGERS. UPON RETURNING, ONE OF THE FRONT SPRINGS FELL APART IN OUR YARD. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, ALONG WITH ONE OF THE REAR SPRINGS. SHE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITH THREE BROKEN SPRINGS! THE REAR SPRINGS SEEM SIMILAR IN DESIGN TO THE FRONT, IF NOT IDENTICAL. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND THE BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE REAR SPRINGS WAS $632.30. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HELP. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, SHE SUGGESTED PURSUING THIS, CLAIMING THEY HAVE REPAIRED LOTS OF REAR SPRINGS ON THESE VEHICLES. SHE SEEMED TO IMPLY THEY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE FRONT UNITS, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN RECALLED AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY FORD. TRAVELLING 65 MPH ON THREE BROKEN SPRINGS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

YET ANOTHER FORD TAURUS - MERCURY SABLE REAR SPRING FAILURE AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TO DATE BY THE COMPANY OR NHTS. YOUR DATABASE IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. THE MFG HAS RECOGNIZED THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPRING (RECALL# 04V332000), YET WILL NOT OFFER REPAIR SERVICE OR CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE REAR SPRINGS THAT APPEAR TO BE THE EXACT SAME PART/DESIGN AND ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME DEFECT. HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW OF THE WEBSITE OR THE RECALL? FORD PLAYS OFF THE FRONT SPRING FAILURES TO LESS THAN 2% FAILURE, BUT MECHANICS PERFORMING STATE SAFETY SAY THEY FAIL MORE THEN 25% OF THIS MODEL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. IF IT'S A FAILURE FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, THEN IT MUST BE A SAFETY CONCERN, SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND ADD THE REAR SPRINGS TO THE RECALL LIST. I SEE AVG REPAIRS TOTALING OVER $500-$600 + COST OF A NEW TIRE. SOME ONE PLEASE REVIEW THIS MAJOR CONCERN. *TR

I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE SEDAN. ON APRIL 26 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 9 MPH WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH DIFFICULTY, AND GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON HAVING THE CAR INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BOOT HAD BROKEN AND THE COIL SPRING HAD PIERCED MY TIRE. I HAD THE 2 FRONT BOOTS AND SPRINGS REPLACED ON JANUARY 10, 2006 BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL AND BOOT. I FOUND OUT AT THAT TIME THAT THIS WAS A RECALLED PROBLEM. UPON CALLING THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 27 TO NOTIFY THEM, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A "FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS AND SABLES, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE BACK COIL SPRINGS". I THEN NOTIFIED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME WAS TRUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE THAT NOT JUST THE FRONT COILS ARE AN ISSUE. THE CAR IS HAVING BOTH REAR SPRINGS REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $470.00 THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF REPLACING THE DESTROYED TIRE WHICH WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $85.00. THANK YOU. *AK

THE REAR COIL SPRINGS IN MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE BOTH BROKE WITHIN DAYS OF ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE A SIMILAR SITUATION TO THE RECALL THAT WAS MADE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS RELATED TO SALT PROBLEMS. *TR

TURNING LEFT HAD EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE DUE TO FRACTURED RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS, REPLACED 4 COIL ASSEMBLIES. *AK

FIRST THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LEAKED WATER DURING RAIN STORMS. I HAD THAT FIXED LAST FALL. NOW THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT, AND IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THESE TWO REPAIRS ARE RELATED. THE COST FOR THE 2001, SABLE IS $2500 IN REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. RECALL #03V087000 AND OTHER COMPLAINT #10184014. *AK

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE HAIR DRESSER WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE UNDER OUR 2001 SABLE THAT SHE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. SHE THEN CALLED TO TELL ME THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK I TRIED TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND IT WOULD NOT HOLD ANY AIR. I PULLED THE TIRE OFF TO TAKE IT TO GET REPAIR AND I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD BEEN DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, I HAD JUST BROUGHT ALL NEW TIRES TWO WEEKS PRIOR. AFTER GETTING THE TIRE REPLACED I PUT IT BACK ON AND WENT TO SPIN THE TIRE AROUND AS I REINSTALLED THE LUG NUTS AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I THEN PULLED THE TIRE BACK OFF AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT'S WHAT DAMAGED THE TIRE BEYOND REPAIR. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I KNEW OF THE FRONT RECALL BUT I WAS TOLD THEY FORD MOTOR COMPANY WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE REAR SPRINGS BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE RECALL. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE BROKEN SPRING AS THE CAR WAS JACKED UP IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE I NEED TO CUT THE PORTION OF SPRING THAT WAS STICKING OUT SO I COULD PUT THE NEW TIRE ON SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AS IT TURNED OUT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT IT WAS BROKEN AT THE TOP ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIR AT T.C. AUTO SERVICE IN ANN ARBOR AND THEY HAVE SEEN MORE THEN JUST MINE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I THINK THIS IS BULL THAT FORD/MERCURY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND WOULD ONLY COVER THE FRONT SPRINGS BY PUTTING A SPRING PROTECTOR ON THE FRONT SPRING TO PREVENT IT FROM DAMAGING THE TIRE WHEN IT FAILED. I HAVE BOTH REAR STRUTS AND COIL SPRING ASSEMBLY. I HAD THEM CHANGED AS ASSEMBLY NOT JUST THE COILS. *TR

REAR SPRINGS BREAKING ON MERCURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS. MY SABLE IS A 2001. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE FELT VIBRATION BY THE GAS PEDAL. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT FRAME MOUNTS SHEARED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WILL CALL FORD BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO REPAIR IT.

THE HEATER BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE 2001 MERCURY SABLE WILL NOT RETRACT. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE RETRACTOR WAS FOLDING THE BELT OVER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO JAM. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. AND THEY INFORMED HIM THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 28,000. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIR AND PICTURES BEFORE THE REPAIR. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM UNTIL HE ARRIVED HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING WAS CRACKED AND THAT THE SHARP END OF THE SPRING WENT INTO THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE SPRINGS IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 83,000.*AK THE DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER THAT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AND CUSTOMER WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TOTALING $564.74. CUSTOMER STATES CAR WAS FINE UNTIL REAR SPRING BROKE. UPDATE 4/25/07*TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINT EA06-002. WHILE BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE THAT GOT LOUDER THE FASTER I WENT. I STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED A BLACK RING ON THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT A GOUGE HAD BEEN DUG INTO THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE BY A SPRING THAT LOOKS TO HAVE BEEN WELDED TO THE STRUT. IT APPEARS THAT THE WELD FAILED CAUSING THE SPRING TO DETACH. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. COINCIDENTLY I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL STATING THAT THIS EXACT FAILURE COULD HAPPEN TO THE FRONT STRUTS AND THAT I SHOULD BRING THE CAR TO A LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIXED. I WAS GOING TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO SO, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES AS WELL. FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR ON THE FRONT COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES. THEY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE REAR COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES FOR APPROXIMATELY $850.00. (BOTH REAR COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES, REAR ALIGNMENT, AND A TIRE) THEY STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY EXPECT THAT THE DRIVERS REAR WILL FAIL SOON ALSO. MOST DISTURBING IS THAT FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY SAID THAT THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE FAILED COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES WITH THE SAME PARTS. PARTS THAT WILL FAIL IN THIS MANNER IN THE FUTURE! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE REAR COIL/STRUT ASSEMBLIES IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT. THEY HAVE THE SAME DESIGN DEFECT AND SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY DIE IN A CRASH CAUSED BY THE COIL PIERCING A TIRE AT DRIVING SPEED. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED MY CAR YET, BUT I PLAN TO HAVE IT REPAIRED SOON. I WOULD WELCOME AN INSPECTION. *NM

REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE / PASSENGER SIDE- 2001 MERCURY SABLE - RESULTING IN MINOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO TIRE.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS CRACKED ON THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR, AND THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES WERE RESEALED. WHILE REPAIRING THE TIRE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE CRACKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT TURN ON UNTIL 20 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. HE WAS UNABLE TO VIEW THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE SEDAN . THE CONTACT RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE, #NUMBER 04V332000. THE CONTACTS SAFETY REPAIR WAS BEING PERFORMED. HOWEVER ,THE SPECIAL SERVICE SUPPORT CENTER HAS DENIED REPAIR TO ASSOCIATED DAMAGED CAUSED BY THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIRES. THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAS A GROOVE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAS A PUNCTURE. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL.*AK

RE:PREVIOUS REPAIR TED RUSSELL INVOICE # F1CS560238 DATED: 1/19/2007 MALFUNCTIONS THAT STARTED FEBRUARY 28, 2007 ARE SAME AS PREVIOUSLY STATED IN REFERENCED INVOICE AS FOLLOWS: 1)CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWS HOT AIR WHILE ON FRESH AIR AND AC 2)COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON; THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AC CONTROL SYSTEM REFERENCED ABOVE. I CAN STOP THE CAR, TURN EVERYTHING OFF AND IN 15 SECONDS RESTART AND LIGHT GOES OFF. THE COOLANT LIGHT WILL STAY OFF AS LONG AS I KEEP THE CLIMATE CONTROL OFF HOWEVER; WHEN DRIVING FOR A DISTANCE (I.E. 30 MILES) AND THEN MULTIPLE START / STOPS IN TRAFFIC THE LIGHT WILL COME ON IF I AM RUNNING THE CLIMATE CONTROL. UNTIL THE RECENT MALFUNCTION OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL WEDNESDAY NIGHT (2/28/07) THIS COOLANT LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON SINCE LAST REPAIR TO CLIMATE CONTROL. FOR INFORMATION, THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE WERE APPROXIMATELY 66 F. OBVIOUSLY I AM UPSET WITH THE CONTINUED PROBLEMS I AM HAVING AFTER THIS VEHICLE SPENT ONE WEEK IN YOUR SHOP FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS MADE BY TED RUSSELL QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AS DISCUSSED WITH YOU DURING MY PHONE CONVERSATION YESTERDAY. *JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2001 MERCURY SABLE AND WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. SHE DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR A YEAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND A COUPLE OF GARAGES AND NOBODY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. I FINNALY TRIED TO FIX IT MYSELF AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A BROKEN RETAINER RING AT THE END OF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BY THE TROTTLE BODY. I NEVER REPLACED THE RETAINER DUE TO FEAR IT WOULD BREAK AGAIN AND MAYBE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TIED THE CABLE BACK WITH A TIE WRAP. I DID CALL AND REPORT THIS INCIDENT, BUT NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. NOW WITH ALL THE NEW RECALLS I WANTED TO REPORT IT AGAIN. THANK YOU. *TR

REAR SPRING BROKE ON 2001 MERCURY SABLE-4 DR. SEDAN. CAR SAT IN UNHEATED GARAGE FOR 1 WEEK WHILE ON VACATION. TEMPERATURE IN GARAGE APPROX. 30 DEGREES. WHEN VEHICLE USED FIRST TIME AFTER VACATION ON JAN. 3, 2007, WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE, HEARD LOUD NOISE OF SOMETHING BREAKING OR POSSIBLY BEING RUN OVER. STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING BEHIND OR UNDER VEHICLE. FOUND NOTHING. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO WORK, APPROX. 25 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. NOTICED UPON RETURN HOME THAT EVENING THAT VEHICLE WAS SETTING LOW AT REAR OF VEHICLE. I DID NOT TAKE TO A DEALERSHIP UNTIL APRIL 2, 2007. USED ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. WIFE USED THIS VEHICLE ONLY AS NEEDED UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP VISIT THIS MORNING. WAS INFORMED OF THE BROKEN REAR SPRING. *JB

MY CAR HAS A DEFECT WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A 4TH THAT COULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. *NM

EMERGENCY BRAKE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT FAILURE. THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT TURNING ON WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS APPLIED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT DOES TEST OK WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON I TRAVELED 10 MILES HOME ON THE FREEWAY. NEAR MY HOUSE THE BRAKES FAILED, WITH THE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. I QUICKLY PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AS WELL, WHICH I ASSUME WAS THE PADS, SO I WILL MARK THE FIRE QUESTION AS YES SINCE "WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S FIRE." BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNED THE NEXT DAY BUT THE PEDAL IS NOW SOFT. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 71750 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOSES THAT RAN THROUGH THE HEATER CORE DRY ROTTED AND FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 40 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,680.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AT THE TUBES TO THE HEATER CORE. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE VERY THIN. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED. BY THE TIME THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. HE REPLACED THE SPRING ASSEMBLY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. HE LATER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING HAD FAILED IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR JUST THE FRONT SPRINGS, NOT THE REAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION FROM SALT. THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE SALT CORROSION AFFECTED THE FRONT SPRING BUT NOT THE REAR SPRING. UPDATED 07/31/07 *TR

2001 MERCURY SABLE - RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES IN THE FALL OF 2006 FROM TIRE KINGDOM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF LOSING AIR PRESSURE. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN OPTICAL ILLUSION. THEN I HAD A VALVE STEM CRACK AND CAUSE A RAPID LOSS OF AIR WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AGAIN TIRE KINGDOM BLEW THIS OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM SINCE HEARING ABOUT THE RECALLED VALVE STEMS AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A COMPLETE RUN AROUND. THE TIRE THAT SUDDENLY DEFLATED SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE WALL WHICH THEY SAID "ISN'T A BIG DEAL." MY TIRES HAVE WORN FASTER AND ONE HAS SKIDDING ON THE SIDEWALL FROM THE FAULTY VALVE STEMS INSTALLED BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. *TR

2001 MERCURY SABLE LS RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. A PIECE OF THE SPRING PROTRUDED AND GOUGED THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DOWN TO THE TIRES METAL CORE. THE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT. TIRE FAIL IS IMMINENT. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED LOSS OF CONTROL AND A COLLISION WOULD BE VERY LIKELY. *NM

REAR LEFT COIL SPRING REPORTED BROKEN BY MY FORD DEALER ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE. SPRING WILL BE REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND TRYING TO AVOID A DEER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE GRILL, HOOD, RADIATOR, FRONT BUMPER AND POSSIBLY THE FRAME. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND EXPERIENCED WHIP LASH AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS NOT ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A ROAD SIGN. TWO OCCUPANTS INCURRED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED.

2001 SABLE ACCELERATOR CABLE COME OUT OF THE HOUSING, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DECELERATE. *TS *JB

2001 SABLE (PURCHASED NEW 10/20/2001) HAD FOUR NEW GOODYEAR TIRES INSTALLED ON 3/24/2006 AT 25,998 MILES. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF LISTENING TO MY SON, THE DRIVER OF THE CAR, COMPLAIN THAT THE REAR WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND, I TOOK IT INTO THE GOODYEAR DEALER ON 9/4/2006 WITH 29,255 MILES. THEY DISCOVERED THE CAUSE WAS FRACTURED REAR COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE KNIFE SHARP FRACTURED ENDS OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS WERE EXTENDING DOWN BELOW THE SPRING SEATS AND RESTING UP AGAINST THE TIRES MAKING SLIGHT CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE WALLS OF BOTH REAR TIRES. THE SERVICE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. BEING LABOR DAY AND WITH NO MERCURY DEALERSHIPS OPEN, I HAD THEM REPLACE THE FRACTURED SPRINGS WITH MONROE QUICK STRUTS AT A TOTAL COST OF $740.92. SINCE THE SERVICE TECH ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE TAURUS AND SABLE MODELS, I DECIDED I SHOULD CHECK FOR RECALLS. I SEE THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY ON THESE REAR SPRINGS AND FELT COMPELLED TO VOICE MY COMPLAINT AFTER READING FORD'S UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO THE NHTSA INITIAL INQUIRY. I SAVED THE ORIGINAL SPRINGS/STRUTS WHICH SHOW MULTIPLE FRACTURES IN EACH SPRING IN CASE SOMEONE WANTED TO CHECK THE METALLURGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE STEEL. BOTH OF THESE SPRINGS HAVE FAILED WITHIN 5 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE TO DISCOVER THESE DEFECTIVE SPRINGS BEFORE THEY PUNCTURED THE SIDE WALLS OF THE TIRES. *JB

COOLANT LEAKS FOR BOTTOM I HAVE A 2001 MERCURY SABLE LS IT HAS THE 3.0 LITER MOTOR NOT 24 VALVE. I HAVE TALKED WITH THREE OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE ALL FORD TAURUS'S AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT BOTTLE BECAUSE THEY ALL CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE. ITS ODD THAT FOUR PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WE ALL HAVE TO CHANGE THE BOTTLE WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH OTHER. COULD THERE BE FAULTY BOTTLES MADE AND WILL THE ANTIFREEZE DAMAGE OTHER PARTS ON MY CAR. I ONLY HAVE 78,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED DURING A ROUTINE TIRE CHECK TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE TIRE ROTATION. UPDATED 09/21/06. *JB