1992 FORD TAURUS Suspension Problems

I BOUGHT 3 FORD TAURUS WAGONS IN 6 MONTHS AND THE SPRINGS BROKE IN ALL OF THE 3 LATEST CARS. BOTH SPRINGS BROKE WILE I WAS DRIVING ,PUNCTURING 1 TIRE. NO REPAIR MADE YET. *AK

Mileage: 14,526

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE IT WAS DETERMINE D THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE SWAY BAR BRACKET TORE AWAY FROM THE STRUT AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE REPAIR PERSONNEL SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND STRUT. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 94E036000. HOWEVER ,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

Mileage: 120,000

FORD TAURUS, 1992, FRONT K-FRAME BROKE LOOSE FROM CHASSIS RESULTING IN A LOCK-UP OF THE STEERING, FORTUNATELY AT A LOW SPEED, THEREBY ENDANGERING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE WE LEARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL IN THE 1989-1994 FORD TAURUS CARS. THE FAILURE OF THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRONT A-FRAME. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO FIND THIS DESIGN DEFECT ON THIS SITE.*AK *NM

Mileage: 129,000

THE VEHICLE IS A 1992 FORD TAURUS WAGON. ON JULY 26, 1996 THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE PUNCTURING THE FRONT TIRE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. FORD AT THE TIME SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE SO THEREFORE IT WAS REPAIRED AT MIDAS. THIS MORNING, FEBRUARY 3, 2005 THE COIL SPRINGS AGAIN BROKE PUNCTURING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE AND WILL AGAIN NEED NECESSARY REPAIRS TOTALLY APPROXIMATELY $450.00. CALLED FORD SAID THERE WERE NEVER ANY RECALLS ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE BUT INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET INDICATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALLED NEARLY 900,000 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE 1999, 2000, AND 2001 SEDANS STATING IN COLD WEATHER STATES SALT FROM ROADS COULD CORRODE AND FRACTURE THE CARS' FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THEY WERE INSTALLING PROTECTIVE SHIELDS IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES. MY CONCERN IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS MODEL IS OLDER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS WHAT IS THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE? I WONDER WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE HAD THIS VEHICLE HAD THE COIL SPRING BREAK WHILE ON THE FREEWAY...WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR? THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE GREATLY CONCERNS US.*JB

Mileage: 43,689

I HAVE OWNED THIS TAURUS SINCE, 1993-1994, IT HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT, FROM A DEALER (FLANNERY FORD). I HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WATER PUMPS (2) (ALMOST $1,000), BRAKES AND CALIPERS(TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), STRUTS (TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), IGNITION. THIS PAST SATURDAY, WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BECAUSE THE INSIDE DOOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THE ALARM BELL (THAT DINGS WHEN YOU LEAVE THE KEY IN OR LIGHTS ON), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF THE CAR. THE ENTIRE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED, STRUTS AND SPRINGS (THAT WAS $1,000). I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PAN REPLACED BECAUSE IT RUSTED OUT AND HAD ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED AGAIN DURING THIS PROCEDURE (THAT WAS ALMOST $1,000). I CAN ONLY REMEMBER RECEIVING 1 RECALL NOTICE AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

I HAVE OWNED THIS TAURUS SINCE, 1993-1994, IT HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT, FROM A DEALER (FLANNERY FORD). I HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WATER PUMPS (2) (ALMOST $1,000), BRAKES AND CALIPERS(TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), STRUTS (TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), IGNITION. THIS PAST SATURDAY, WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BECAUSE THE INSIDE DOOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THE ALARM BELL (THAT DINGS WHEN YOU LEAVE THE KEY IN OR LIGHTS ON), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF THE CAR. THE ENTIRE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED, STRUTS AND SPRINGS (THAT WAS $1,000). I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PAN REPLACED BECAUSE IT RUSTED OUT AND HAD ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED AGAIN DURING THIS PROCEDURE (THAT WAS ALMOST $1,000). I CAN ONLY REMEMBER RECEIVING 1 RECALL NOTICE AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL 94E036000 FOR FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM . CONSUMER BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE. DEALER STATED NOTHING THEY COULD DO. COMPUTER SHOWED THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE A MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE BOTH REAR MOUNT ARE WARP AND CORRODE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

CONSUMER STATES RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, HOWEVER ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD HEAR A CRUNCHING NOISE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME BOLTS WERE BAD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL WITH THE REAR BOLTS BEING BAD IT CAUSED STRESS TO THE FRONT SINCE THE FRAME IS ALL ONE PIECE, FORD STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. BRAKES WERE REPLACED. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. *SLC

FOR A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR FIX SIGNIFICANT NUMBER ITEMS (SERIOUS SAFETY ITEMS INCLUDED!!) THAT FAILED. HOPE MANUFACTURER CAN HELP REIMBURSE COSTS. PER RESEARCH, THESE ITEMS SHOULD NOT BREAK DOWN AT THIS MILEAGE LEVEL! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE, CAUSING END OF BROKEN COIL SPRING TO SLICE OPEN TIRE, CAUSING A TIRE BLOWOUT AND SUSPENSION OF CAR DROPPING, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO FRONT TIE-ROD END AS WEIGHT OF VEHICLE FELL ON STEERING MECHANISM. SPEED AT BREAK AROUND 5 MPH AS DAUGHTER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM STOP. THIS IS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE; AND, SHE PAID BILL FROM HER COLLEGE SAVINGS. CONSIDERING MILEAGE & AGE, I THINK FORD SHOULD AT LEAST PAY FOR 50% OF TOTAL BILL ($618). FORD CUSTOMER SERV. REP. TOLD ME THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL, BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T QUALIFY ME FOR A REFUND. JUDGING FROM YOUR OTHER LOGGED COMPLAINTS, THERE SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FAULT WITH FORD'S REASONING ON WHO'S ELEGIBLE AND WHO'S NOT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS SITE FOR THESE DEFECT INVESTIGATION AND CHECKING INTO THIS COMPLAINT.*AK

I DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN. THEY BOTH BROKE ON THE OUTSIDE LOWER COIL.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AND EITHER MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

IN MARCH OF 1997, THE LEFT FRONT SPRING ON MY MOTHER MARGARETS CAR FRACTURED/FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY. AS A RESULT, THAT SIDE OF THE CAR BASICALLY COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN WITHOUT DOING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CLOSEST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD INDEED FAILED/FRACTURED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $426.70 IN JULY OF 1998, I (DANIEL ZEHLER - SON OF MARGARET) RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD HAVING TO DO WITH A SIMILAR/IDENTICAL DEFECT ON 1993 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES. IT TURNS OUT THAT I OWN A 1993 TAURUS. PER THE RECALL LETTER, THE SAFETY DEFECT IS AS FOLLOWS: "THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON YOUR VEHICLE CAN FRACTURE IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN HIGH-CORROSION AREAS OF NORTH AMERICA FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE ON THE SPRING THERE IS SOME POSSIBILITY THAT THE TIRE CAN BE DAMAGED. A FRACTURED SPRING CAN CAUSE ONE SIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE TO BE LOWER THAN THE OTHER, CAN RESULT IN CLUNKING OR RATTLING NOISE OR CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RIDE ROUGHLY." IN THE WHAT WILL FORD DO CATEGORY, THE LETTER STATES THAT FORD IS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR FRONT SPRING REPLACEMENT, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2001. IN THE WHAT SHOULD WE DO CATEGORY, THE LETTER STATES THAT "IF EITHER OF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SPRINGS SHOULD FRACTURE DURING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, CONTACT YOUR DEALER. AT NO COST TO YOU/US, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS." IN THE MEANTIME, SO AS TO PREVENT TIRE DAMAGE SHOULD THE SPRING FRACTURE, FORD HAS DEVELOPED A SPECIAL PLASTIC PROTECTIVE SHIELD, WHICH HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON OUR 1993 TAURUS. AS THE 1992 & 1993 TAURUS MODELS ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL, IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE RECALL ON THE 1993 TAURUS'S SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE 1992'S AS OUR DEFECT SEEMS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THAT WHICH FORD HAS ALREADY AGREEDEFECT ONTHE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE.

DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE UPPER SECTION OF THE COIL SPRING DROPPED BELOW THE LOWER SPRING SEAT ASSEMBLY AND FELL TO THE BAR OF THE STRUT MOUNT. THIS CAUSED THE SPRING SECTION TO CONTACT THE BACK SIDE OF THE TIRE AND THE BRAKE LINE, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *AK *ML

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE, AND CUT THOUGH LEFT FRONT TIRE. TIRE WENT FLAT, CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS IF GOING FAST AT ALL. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR. CONSUMER FELT THAT COIL SPRINGS WERE DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. *AK *ML

FRONT END ISN'T SECURED TO THE CHASSIS WHICH IS CAUSING MOVEMENT AND SHAKING WITHIN THE FRONT END. *AK FRONT END BOLT LOOSE CAUSING VIBRATION IN FRONT END. *YH

VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL, RESULTING IN SAFETY HAZARD. 6 REPAIRS SHOPS CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION, WHEEL ALIGNMENT COMPLETED AS WELL AS CHANGE OF TIRES, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE VIBRATION, STEERING PROBLEMS RESULT FROM VIBRATION. MJS

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH A SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *AK

WHEN RIDING OVER BUMPS THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO FALL APART. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN TURNING VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT, IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN &HARD TO CONTROL. ALSO, WOULD MAKE A WHINNING NOISE. AN ONGOING PROBLEM & INCREASINGLY GETTING WORSE VEHICLE WAS NOT TEST DRIVEN BY MECHANIC AFTER TAKING TO DEALER. MECHANIC DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING. ODOMETER WAS READING THE SAME MILEAGE WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN & PICKED UP.

FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE, SHREADING THE TIRE. *YC

WHEN VEHICLE IS WARMED UP & WOULD START TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES IN THE RIGHT FRONT. SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. HAD BOTH STRUTS, TIE RODS, OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED. NOISE STILL EXISTS. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AROUND 45MPH OR ABOVE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. MOVED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD & TURNED IT OFF & RESTARTED. HAD TAKEN TO MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEM. HAD THE FUELD PUMP REPLACED 3 TIMES & THE COMPUTER CHIP REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TEST DRIVEN. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

FRONTLEFT COIL SPRING BROKE DUE TO CORROSION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE.*AK

SOMETHING BROKE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE AND FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE DEALER IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS, AND FORD HAS NOT CONTACTED US ABOUT A RECALL.THE PLACE THAT MAINTAINS OUR TIRES SAID IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING HAD HIT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS,BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE. *AK

WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A STOP SIGN AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN A NOISE OCCURS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS . *AK

STRUT BEARINGS FAILED CAUSING NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEN TURNING RIGHT.

WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED AND SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT. MANAGED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN CONTROL ON THE ROAD. DEALER MOVED AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE INCIDENT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

MCPHERSON STRUT OR OTHER PART OF RIGHT WHEEL BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. NO INDICTATION OR WARNING OF DEFECT. 2 HOURS PRIOR CONSUMER HAD SMELLED BURNING HYDRAULIC OIL. *AK

DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS CAUSED STRUTS TO FAIL, RECALL COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE , CUTTING THE TIRE OFF. DEALER RPAIRED DEFECT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE CHECKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY NEED TO ORDER THE PARTS. *AK

THE RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. SAME PROBLEM THAT ON RECALL FOR THE 1993 TAURUS.

THE FRONT COIL SPRING WENT THROUGH THE FRONT TIRE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO OFF THE ROAD. DEALER HAD FIXED. *AK

FRONT STRUTS FALLING OFF OF VEHICLE.

STRUTS FAILED.

FRONT END TIE-RODS FAILED TWICE.

TIE RODS FAILED .

CV JOINT FAILED.

STRUTS FAILED.

SWAY BAR FAILED.

REAR STRUTS FAILED.

FRONT SPRINGS RUSTED.

REAR STRUTS FAILED.

FRONT SPRINGS THAT GO AROUND STRUTS SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING; CAUSED VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN ABOUT AN INCH ABOVE TIRES; CANNOT TURN VEHICLE, TIRES HIT WHEEL WELL.*AK

FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING SLIGHT DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. *AK

RIGHT SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED, CAUSING VIBRATION. *SD

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH AND ABOVE. TT CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE VIBRATES MUCH WORSE AS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PROBLEM WILL START SOONER AT SLOWER SPEEDS IF DRIVING ON ROUGHER ROADS, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO TIRE MISALIGNED, REPLACED FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, VIBRATION ON FRONT END, RADIO ANTENNA IS INOPERATIVE.*JB

WELDS ON SWAY BAR BRACKET WHERE ATTACHED TO STRUT TUBE FAILED. *SKD

REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILURE, HAVE REPLACED TWICE SINCE 1992. TT