2001 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH., ON A CLEAR DRY DAY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHEN THE TIRE WAS CHANGED, THE INTERIOR SIDE WALL WAS OBSERVED TO BE WORN AWAY AND HAD BEEN PUNCTURED BY A FRACTURED COIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, A LOUD INDESCRIBABLE NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE WAS UNDETECTABLE. THE NOISE CONTINUED WHEN TRAVEL RESUMED. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL WAS FRACTURED AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE AND BOTH REAR COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/06. *JB

I AM HAVING MAJOR HEATING ISSUES THAT THE HEATER CORE WILL NOT WARM THE CAR AND THE METAL TUBING BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE T THAT IS ON THE FIRE WALL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE AND GROOVED TIRE. STRUT,TIRE, SPRING AND ALIGNMENT ARE REQUIRED FOR REPAIR. *JB

DRIVING OUR 2001 SABLE ONE DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE I WAS PUTTING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND THE CAR RAN FINE. THIS WOULD HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME AND IT GOT TO A POINT WERE I TOOK THE UNIT TO A MERCURY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY STATED IT HAD A MIS-FIRE ON THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AT A COST OF 2K ONE HEAD ONLY. I DID SOME ASKING AROUND AT FORD AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE SOME VALVE ISSUES WITH THE 3.0L DOHC 24 V . I LOOKED INTO THE DEALER PROCESS OF CHANGING ONLY ONE HEAD AND I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD NOT BE THE SMART THING TO DO. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN TO CONFIRM WHAT THE DEALER HAD SAID AND TO GET IT FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR TO T.C. AUTO SERVICE IN ANN ARBOR AND HE CONFIRMED I HAD A LEAK DOWN PROBLEM ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND I HAD BOTH HEADS REWORKED NEW VALVE GUIDE AND SEATS ALONG WITH REPLACING THE VALVES ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE THE DAMAGED VALVES RETURNED TO ME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR SPRINGS FRACTURED CAUSING BOTH REAR TIRES TO TEAR. UPDATED 6/23/2006 - *NM

2001 SABLE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED AND BROKE. THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING A BLOWOUT. OUR DEALER INFORMED US THAT BOTH SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS O4S17. HOWEVER THE RECALL IS NOT TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS, THEY WILL BE INSTALLING SPECIAL SHIELDS ON THE FRONT SPRINGS SO THAT IF A SPRING DOES FAIL IT WILL NOT CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THIS TO ME IS UNACCEPTABLE! HOW CAN YOU ALLOW THE FORD TO PRODUCE AND SELL FAULTY AND UNSAFE AUTOMOBILES WITHOUT DEMANDING THAT THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOT APPLY A BAND-AID?

I WAS STARTING TO DRIVE HOME AFTER VISITING A FRIEND, AND I HEARD A VERY STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I HAD MY FRIEND LISTEN AND HE DETERMINED I SHOULD GO HOME AND CALL RIGHT AWAY TO MY CAR DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. *JB

NO REAL SIGNS OF DISTRESS UNTIL THE MAIN BEARINGS FAILED. AT 33,000 MILES, PROOF OF SERVICE AND OIL CHANGES COVERING THE FIRST 29,000 MILES. VEHICLE DEVELOPED A BAD KNOCK. HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN BEARINGS ON THE CAM WENT BAD. ONE FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS ME FORD WILL HELP WITH THE COST OF TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR IS AT. *JB

BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE, ONE SPRING RIPPED MY LEFT REAR TIRE. BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE TIRE. *NM

I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WITH 54,300 MILES ON IT. AS I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED A PARTICULAR NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF THE CAR. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED ANYWAY, SO WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BACK END BECAUSE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BRAKES WERE HANGING UP. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED, THEY TOLD ME THAT BOTH OF THE BACK SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND THAT ONE OF THE SPRINGS WITH A POINTED PORTION HAD RUINED MY NEW TIRE (THE TIRES HAD 7,000 MILES ON THEM). WHEN I ASKED ABOUT A RECALL OR WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT ONLY THE FRONT COILS/SPRINGS HAD BEEN RECALLED AND THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. THUS, I HAD TO PURCHASE TWO REAR COILS/SPRINGS, A NEW REAR TIRE, AND HAVE MY CAR ALIGNED AGAIN. AT FIRST, I CONSIDERED MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND HURT MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. BUT AFTER I HEARD THAT THE FRONT COILS/SPRINGS WERE RECALLED BY FORD, THEN I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE BACK ONES WERE NOT AS WELL. NOW THAT I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE MATTER, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CONSUMERS AND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THE 2001 AND 2002 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE BECAUSE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF FRACTURES IN THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY A PORTION OF THE REAR SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRACTURED AND FELL OFF. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. ALSO, CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE REAR SPRINGS. FRONT SPRING FRACTURED AND BROKE ON 07/08/2004 AT 54101 MILES. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THEM IN AUGUST 2004. SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AGAIN ON 03/02/2005 AS PER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THE COST TO REPLACE FRONT SPRINGS ON 07/08/2004. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS

HAD A FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING WHILE STARTING UP FROM A STOP AND TURNING RIGHT. THERE WAS NO LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE THE SPEED WAS ONLY 10-15 MPH AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE WAS CONTAINED BY THE "SPRING SHIELD" AND THIS SPRING WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOOK THE CAR IN TO REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS, THEY NOTED THAT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING HAD ALSO FAILED AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS ABOUT TO FAIL TOO. THEY TOLD ME "THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE PRESENT RECALL THOUGH IT MAYBE COVERED BY A FUTURE RECALL." THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING TO PASS BY THE LOWER SPRING MOUNTING AND THE POINT OF THE SPRING WAS LESS THAN 1/4" FROM THE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. ANY FURTHER TRAVEL OF THE SPRING WOULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND THIS FAILURE WAS NOT VISIBLE UNLESS THE TIRE WAS REMOVED OR THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED. BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE FAILED SPRINGS HAVE BEEN SAVED. *NM

FAILURE OF REAR COIL SPRINGS, SIMILAR TO SAFETY RECALL #04V332000 APPLICABLE TO FRONT SPRINGS. BOTH REAR COILS BROKE, AND SHARP END OF RIGHT REAR CONTACTED INSIDE OF TIRE. FORD OFFERED NO HELP OR REMEDY. *NM

2001 MERCURY SABLE BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED WHILE TURNING A CORNER. NOTHING IN THE CAR EXCEPT THE DRIVER. NO OTHER DAMAGE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE REAR SPRINGS CONTINUE TO FAIL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRES ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT PAID $237 FOR BOTH REPAIRS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOOK A COMPLAINT ON HIS BEHALF (CLAIM NUMBER 1529113467). HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000) FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS, BUT NOT FOR THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 01/02/08 *BF UPDATED *JB

TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR, THOUGHT MAYBE THE BRAKES. REPAIR SHOP SHOWED ME BROKEN SPRING AND STRUT HAD CUT GROOVE IN RIGHT REAR TIRE. I BOUGHT CAR USED IN 2003 WITH ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. I T NOW HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A 52 YEAR OLD WOMAN THAT IS THE SOLE PERSON DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THIS CAR MORE THAN 17,000 IN ALMOST THREE YEARS. THIS KIND OF PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THIS REPAIR IS COMMON ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR! I THINK THIS PART IS HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE MANUFACTURED. CAN I GET ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR? IT IS COSTING ME OVER $900!! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF INCHES. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

THE REAR COIL SPRING ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE BROKE DAYS AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRING. AFTER THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE IT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND WOULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE IF I DROVE THE VEHICLE BEYOND TO THE REPAIR GARAGE. DUE TO THE REAR SPRING BREAKING I NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE INOPERATIVE.

SABLE/2001 REAR SPRING BROKE IN NOT ONE BUT TWO SPOTS,FRONT SPRINGS ARE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM,BUT THE REARS ARE NOT! WHY ARE THAY NOT UNDER RECALL! *JB

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED AND WON`T RELEASE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT RECALL #01S16 THEY SAY CAR NOT ON THAT RECALL THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE RECALL,CAR MADE AT SAME PLANT, SAME TIME FRAME AS PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH IT FELT AS IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WHEEL WELLS WERE RESTING ON THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS WAS FRACTURED. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER RECALL, BUT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE REAR COILS SPRINGS WERE REAPIRED UNDER THE RECALL AS WELL. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE APPEARED TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE CRACKED. THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/11/06. *JB

ON 2/22/06 THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 30 M.P.H. ON A SMOOTH PAVED ROADWAY. THE SABLE HAS JUST OVER 80,000 MILES. WHEN THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED, IT CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE BRAND NEW TIRE, LEAVING IT UNUSABLE. I WAS ADVISED BY MERCURY, THE WOULD NOT COVER REPAIR COST BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR THE REAR SPRINGS, JUST THE FRONT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A NEW SPRING ($50 )& TIRE ($150). IT WILL COST $80 IN LABOR TO MAKE REPAIRS & $45 FOR AN ALIGNMENT. TOTAL COST TO ME: $325!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *JB

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. *JB

WHILE AT MY MERCURY DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE REP THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED/BROKEN AND CONTINUED USE COULD RESULT IN PUNCTURED REAR TIRE AND A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE SERVICE REP SUGGESTED REPLACING BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS, BOTH REAR STRUTS AND STABILIZER RODS THE COST OF WHICH WOULD BE $610!! THE SUGGESTION TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE ONE BROKEN SPRING IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT! AFTER LOOKING AT THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE REGARDING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THE COIL SPRINGS I'M CONVINCED FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE INFERIOR QUALITY COIL SPRINGS THEY HAVE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE OF THE SAME INFERIOR QUALITY AND PRESENT A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH FORD HAS ELECTED TO IGNORE. I WILL NO DOUBT GRUDINGLY HAVE THE REPAIR DONE BUT WILL NO LONGER TRUST OR PURCHASE THE FORD PRODUCT LINE WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I DO LIKE MY SABLE. *NM

2001 MERCURY SABLE LS TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND STRUT ASSEMBLY FRACTURED, PIERCING THE TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE TIRE INSIDE WALL TO SHRED. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BEEN RECALLED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER AND SUBMIT THE INVOICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE INVOICE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT BECAUSE THE REPAIR WERE NOT MADE BY THEM OR AT ANOTHER FORD DEALER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 15 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR SPRING FRACTURED, BROKE IN HALF AND RUBBED A 360 DEGREE GROOVE ON THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND REAR TIRES TO ENSURE ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP TO DRIVING 2 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS WAS BROKEN AND RUBBED INTO THE TIRE. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR COIL SPRINGS, LEFT TIRE AND STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM

BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON -2001 MERCURY SABLE WAS CHECKED IN AUGUST 2003 WITHOUT FINDING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR. I INFORMED THE DEALER (ROUNDTREE-MOORE) THAT I WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL LATER FOR THIS BECAUSE IF THIS IS A CERTIFIED CAR THEN IT WANT SHOW ANY THING UNTIL LATER,AND I WANTED TO KNOW THAT I COULD BRING THE VEHICLE BACK WITHOUT A CHARGE TO REPAIR. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THERE WILL BE A SERVICE CHARGE TO REPAIR AND A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $90.00. I GOT A DIAGNOSTIC FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHICH THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST BEING THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD START IF IT WAS BOOSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE REPAIR PERSONNEL DISCOVERED THE BATTERY CABLES HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TERMINALS. THE CABLES WERE REPAIRED. THE SECOND WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND THE VEHICLE DRIVES NORMAL. THE FRONT BUMPER FASCIA CRACKED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED. UPDATED 03/03/06. *JB

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE. THE SPRING WAS WITHIN 1/4" OF POKING MY TIRE. MY MERCURY HAS 53,000 MILES. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE A RECALL BUT NOT THE REAR!?!?! I AM SURE GLAD THAT IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. A NOISE WAS HEARD, AND THE CONTACT REMOVED THE REAR TIRE AND FOUND THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF A FAILURE UNTIL THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND THE NOISE WAS HEARD. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION, NHTSA PE05054 FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NOTICED A FEW YEARS AGO A RATTLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SHEET METAL BRACE INSIDE A COVERED PANEL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. MY SON MADE AN OBSERVATION THIS YEAR OF HOW LOW THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND FOUND THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE DESTROYED, ONE HAVING GROUND A GROOVE ON THE INNER SIDEWALL DOWN TO THE CORD. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR - $1395.14, $243.90 OF WHICH WAS FOR REPLACING 2 GOOD TIRES DAMAGED BY THE SPRINGS. INCIDENT DATE IS JUST AN EDUCATED GUESS, AS THE FAILURE WAS NOT READILY NOTICED BY ME. REPAIR WAS DONE 7-12-08. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED YET. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO REIMBURSE THOSE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE OWNED MANY FORD PRODUCTS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS OCCUR. A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR EVEN DEATH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THIS ISSUE BEEN PROPERLY DEALT WITH. *TR

WHILE EATING BREAKFAST, MY WIFE HEARD A METAL POPPING SOUND OUTSIDE NEAR OUR 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN SHE WENT OUT TO INVESTIGATE, SHE FOUND A PIECE OF THE REAR RIGHT COIL SPRING. THIS HAPPENED MINUTES BEFORE SHE WAS TO LEAVE WITH OUR CHILDREN. I CONTACTED FORD AND THE DEALER AND WAS LEFT TO PAY FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS $80 & $303.99 FOR A TOTAL OF $383.99. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST BEING A FRONT COIL SPRING AND TIRE WHICH WAS BLOWN OUT THEN SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED BY FORD ON A RECALL. I FIND IT DISTURBING THAT THE SPRINGS WITH THE SAME FAULTY METAL WERE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON THE REAR SUSPENSION AND NOT REPLACED. TWICE MY FAMILY HAS AVERTED DISASTER CONNECTED WITH THESE COIL SPRINGS. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE ALL THESE FAULTY SPRINGS? MAYBE AFTER ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR DIE! *JB

THE REAR COIL SPRING (DRIVER SIDE) IS BROKEN. PREVIOUSLY I HEARD AN OCCASIONAL SCRATCHING SOUND (MOSTLY IN REVERSE), THEN WHILE DRIVING SOMETHING STARTED DRAGGING. BEFORE I COULD STOP AND CHECK, SOMETHING FELL OFF AND THE DRAGGING NOISE STOPPED. THE CAR WAS SERVICED TODAY (OIL CHANGE) AND ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE CORROSION SHIELDS (SAFETY RECALL) INSTALLED ON THE COIL SPRINGS HAD BECOME LOOSE OR HAD FALLEN OFF. MECHANIC DISCOVERED BROKEN COIL SPRING. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY TOLL WAY I HEARD SOME STRANGE NOISES -- A LOUD BANGING AND SCRAPING OR RUBBING. IN LESS THAN A MINUTE, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN I REMOVED THE TIRE, IT HAD A GROOVE CUT INTO THE INNER SIDEWALL WITH A PUNCTURE IN THE GROOVE. I EXAMINED THE WHEEL-WELL TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE AND SAW A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING STICKING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE THAT AND HE TOLD ME THAT USUALLY IT WAS DUE TO CORROSION. I REMEMBERED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE COIL SPRING CORROSION FAILURE BUT THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL APPLIED ONLY TO THE FRONT SPRINGS (THOUGH SURELY THE FRONT AND REAR SPRINGS WOULD BE MADE FROM THE SAME METAL). HE FURTHER TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE FORD PARTS FOR NEARLY A WEEK BUT HE COULD GET 3RD-PARTY PARTS IMMEDIATELY, THOUGH AT A HIGHER PRICE. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO GO A WEEK WITHOUT MY CAR (AND GIVEN THAT THE FORD PARTS HAD FAILED AT FIVE YEARS WITH ONLY 50000 MILES, PERHAPS A NEW FORD PART WOULDN'T REALLY BE THAT MUCH OF A BARGAIN) SO I OPTED FOR THE AFTERMARKET SPRINGS. THEY REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS WITH THE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT AFTERWARDS THE CAR DID NOT HANDLE CORRECTLY AND CONTINUED TO MAKE LOUD PERCUSSIVE SOUNDS WHEN GOING OVER EVEN MODEST ROAD IRREGULARITIES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BOTH REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ADDING THAT THEY WERE PROBABLY DAMAGED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE. AFTER THE NEW STRUTS WERE INSTALLED THE CAR SEEMS TO BE MOSTLY BACK TO NORMAL. THE TOTAL FOR ALL REPAIRS WAS AROUND $1000, PLUS I SPENT ANOTHER $120 ON A NEW TIRE AND $70 FOR CAR RENTAL WHILE WAITING ON REPAIRS. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH BEFORE THE BRAKES WERE ABLE TO HOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DETERMINED ICE HAD BUILT UP ON THE THROTTLE HOUSING AROUND THE PCV VALVE. THE TEMPERATURE ON THE DATE OF FAILURE WAS BETWEEN -8 AND -12 DEGREES. THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE THAT WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PCV VALVE. UPDATED 02/24/06

DISCOVERED A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM REAR OF CAR AND FURTHER INSPECTION REVILED THAT THE REAR COILS SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. RIGHT REAR SPRING (SHARP EDGE)WAS SCRAPING THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PUNCTURE. BOTH REAR SPRINGS, STRUTS AND STABILIZERS LINKS WERE REPLACED COSTING $1023.00 I STILL HAVE THE OLD BROKEN SPRINGS. *TR

2001 SABLE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON FREQUENTLY. *TS THE COIL SPRINGS MAKE NOISE. THE BRAKE HARNESS LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE. ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED AIR EVERY WEEK (DOT NUMBERS W2X8LH01802 AND W2X8LH04102). *NM

THE REAR COIL SPRING OF THE 2001 SABLE IS FRACTURED. ALTHOUGH NO DAMAGE IS YET DONE, I AM CONCERNED THE SAME TYPE OF CONTACT WITH A TIRE CAN HAPPEN AS WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS. FORD DOES NO, BUT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND PROGRAM LIKE THE FRONT COIL SPRING. *JB

2001 MERCURY SABLE, 31,000 MILES. GOT INTO VEHICLE AFTER WORK,PUT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT, VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. TRANSMISSION FOUND TO HAVE FAILED-LOCKED INTO FORWARD GEAR. ALL GEAR SELECTOR POSITIONS ARE NOW FORWARD INCLUDING NEUTRAL AND REVERSE. DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOTIFIED OF SITUATION. TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. OLD TRANSMISSION MAY BE AVAILABLE AFTER WORK IS COMPLETE. I AM DISSATISFIED WITH FORD'S RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE, BOTH FINANCIALLY AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM THE SAFETY ISSUE THIS COULD CREATE.*JB

(1) I REMOVED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO INSPECT THE BRAKES WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND WAS MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. HAD I NOT INVESTIGATED THE BRAKE GRINDING SOUND, I WOULD NOT HAVE REALIZED THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF IF, BUT WHEN THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT. (2) THE MINIMUM RESULTS OF THE SPRING FAILURE IS THAT WHEN THE SPRING FINALLY WORE THROUGH THE TIRE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED SOMEWHERE. THE MAXIMUM CONSEQUENCES IS THAT WHEN THE TIRE FINALLY WORE THROUGH, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND BEEN INVOLVED IN A SEVERE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. (3) AT PRESENT THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AND SITS ON BLOCKS IN THE GARAGE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY SPRING EVEN THOUGH A YEAR EARLIER A RECALL WAS INITIATED ON THE FRONT SPRINGS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. THE REPAIRS ON THE FRONT SPRINGS WAS AT NO COST TO ME. SINCE FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THE BROKEN SPRING TO BE A PROBLEM, I DON'T WANT FORD TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS AS THE SERVICE PARTS MAY BE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER OF THE FAULTY SPRINGS CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ARE TO BE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. I WILL REQUEST THE FACILITY TO RETURN THE BROKEN SPRING TO ME.*JB

2001 MERCURY SABLE GS. THE STOP LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM, SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY A CURRENT FORD RECALL. HOWEVER, UPON CALLING FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER, THEY TELL ME, MY CAR ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE SABLES THAT ARE BEING RECALLED. *JB

FRONT COIL SRING FAILED AND DAMAGED TIRE AS WELL. I HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THE BACKOF THE CAR ANF FORD COVERED IT. IT HAPPENED TO THE BACK AND FORD WILL NOT COVER IT. IT COST OVER $1000.00 TO REPAIR. CAR IS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING AN ICE/SLEET STORM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WINDSHIELD/WIPER MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #01V258000 VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER: MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

DRIVING TO WORK GOING 25 MPH. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON. NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HAVE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG EXAMINED. COST WILL BE $150 FOR THE ANALYSIS AT D'AMICO IN EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 14TH, 2005. *JB

MERCURY SABLE 2001 SEDAN, 47,300 MILES, BOTH FRONT AXLE SEALS WARPED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CAR WAS ON A LIFT. MANY OTHER CONSUMERS MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS MAY BE OCCURRING IN THEIR CARS. ICALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY BEYOND 36,000 MILES. ITHE CONSUMER TOLD THEM THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE PRINTED OWNER'S MANUAL CONCERNING EXTENDED DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. THEY SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. IT MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS-- THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NM

I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. IN AUGUST OF 2003 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT HAD 23038 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHARGE TO ME DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. ON OCTOBER 3, 2005, MY MERCURY SABLE WOULD NOT START. AGAIN IT WAS TOWED WITH ONLY 64492 MILES. ONCE AGAIN THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. THIS COST ME $50 DEDUCTIBLE DUE TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED. ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS WITH ONLY 27000 MILES ON IT. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, IT WOULD NOT START. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ON IT. I WILL PUT THIS INCIDENT INTO A DIFFERENT COMPLAINT. *JB