Springs/Struts 2002

[Daniel S]

We have a 2002 Ford Taurus with aprox 45,000 miles. As my family was getting ready to enter the car we heard a loud "boom" . The back end of the car was sagging slightly. As we tried to drive it out of the driveway there was a large amount of rubbing so we parked the car and called our local dealership. Today the mechanic let us know that the rear coil springs and struts are broken. This is a family car that is driven locally and has only a little over 45,000 miles on it. I see no reason for this failure whatsoever. This is the 3rd Ford vehicle between our family and my parents family that has had this happen. Fortunately all three times it happened before we were out on the highway. Ford is well aware of the problem. My father-in-law worked for Ford for 40 years and I can tell you the faulty parts are coming right out of Monroe, Michigan. Ford knows this yet keep using the parts. You would think after the recall on models up to 2001 that Ford would correct the problem but they have not. Is it going to take a death and lawsuit to keep Ford from brushing this under the carpet? There are complaints all over the internet from people with 2002 models and up having the coils and springs failing on BOTH the front and rear of their vehicles. I truly hope thatFord will correct this problem once and for all. It is a truly dangerous situation.

[Julie and Dan S]

This is a letter we sent to Ford about our 2002 Taurus rear springs and suspension failing.My father was employed by Ford for over 40 years. Some of the info he has is quite interesting. In particular that he has first hand knowledge that Ford was aware of the faulty parts and exactly where they are/were coming from and have done NOTHING to correct this. Read on......
We have a 2002 Ford Taurus with aprox 45,000 mles. As my family was
getting ready to enter the car we heard a loud "boom". The back end of
the car was sagging slightly. As we tried to drive it out of the driveway
there was a large amount of rubbing so we parked the car and called our
local dealership mechanic. Today the mechanic let us know that the rear
springs,struts and shock absorbers were broken. This is a family car that
is driven locally and has only a little over 45,000 miles. This is the 3rd
Ford vehicle between our family and my parents family that has had this
happen. Fortunately, all three times it happened we were not out on the
highway. Ford is well aware of the problems. My father worked for Ford for
40 years and I can tell you the faulty parts are or were coming right out
of Monroe, Michigan. Ford knows this is an ongoing problem yet keep using
the bad parts. You would think after the recall on models up to 2001 that
Ford would correct the problem but they have not. Is it going to take a
death and lawsuit to keep Ford from brushing this under the carpet? There
are complaints all over the internet from people with 2002 models and up
having the coils and springs failing on BOTH the front and rear of their
vehicles. I truly hope that Ford will correct this problem once and for
all. It is a truly dangerous situation.
Word of Mouth is the most powerful form of advertisement. As more and more
customers are dissatisfied and concerned with their safety more and more
Ford sales will continue to decline. Ford used to be a quality company and
now the term "Quality is Job 1" is a joke at best. Ford saving a buck now
by using cheap parts is going to cost the company in a huge way as sales
decline when these parts fail. It's that simple.
I can promise Ford this. I have sent a copy of this email to
nhtsa.dot.gov . along with the report of repairs that were done to my
vehicle and I will post on the internet urging others to do the same. My
next plan of action is to email copies, websites/complaints to all major
news sources so the public is aware of the potential danger and to alert
anyone aware of the past recall that the problem still exists in 2002 and
up models. I also plan to see if there have been any injuries thus far and
will seek information on a class action suit. I can also promise Ford
that if anyone in my family is injured, maimed, killed by the failing of
any springs,struts and shock absorbers failure on our vehicles there will
be a very public lawsuit. It truly puts a major stress in our life
worrying that every time we drive our 2002 Taurus and 2006 Focus down the
road that the springs/struts could break with my spouse and I, my two
children and/or their friends in our vehicles.
Unsatisfied Customers,

[Julie and Dan S]

Here is their unconcerned response:
Dear Daniel and Julie,
Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center regarding your 2002 Ford Taurus.
Your vehicle is not involved in any recalls or customer satisfaction programs at this time.
If you would like to check for recall information in the future please visit:
1. www.ford.com
2. Type in "Recall"
In addition, Ford and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) work together to proactively identify areas of concern through investigation of consumer and dealer feedback. During an investigation Ford cooperates fully with NHTSA. Ford does not speculate on the outcome of any current investigation or future actions. Due to our rigorous safety standards and constant testing, not all issues result in Field Service Actions or Customer Satisfaction Programs. If a program is announced on a specific component, Ford will notify you by mail. Please keep us informed of any address changes.
If you have any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them for you.
Sincerely,
Amilyn
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company

SO this was my response thus far:
Amilyn,
We realize it's not on recall. Our point is that it SHOULD be.Or perhaps the more simple solution would be to stop using faulty springs since this seems to be a problem dating back to around 1995 according to all the complaints I have read. I also would have at least expected some feedback on our concerns etc. Did you actually take the time to read our letter? The main points being that Ford should recall and also point number two being that Ford really needs to quit using faulty parts. Please take the time to reread my letter and address our concerns. Your "rigorous safety standards " are apparently failing . Also, if this email wasn't really given much attention than just what is Ford's " customer satisfaction programs "? It would really be in Ford's best interest to take the time to read serious safety issues and really value safety, concern, and make corrections and stop using faulty parts. Apparently Ford isn't really that concerned with customer safety and satisfaction. You'll see that if you actually take the time and view some of the many complaints from websites I have with others complaining about the very same problems. Just a few as there are way too many too list. I believe some of the people complaining are correct; it will take a death or massive injury for Ford to take this seriously. When that occurs there will be plenty of people coming forward with emails just like mine showing that Ford was aware of the problems and complaints. I believe that this email should be forwarded to someone in charge of safety concerns and not basic customer relations.
I then proceeded to give a sampling of some complaints I have seen on the internet. There are complaints all over the net. Sounds like a huge problem that is starting to snowball. We all need to stick together and write Ford and file complaints at www.nhtsa.dot.gov Also keep all info, repairs, emails and posts for future reference. I know I plan to keep all info and if there is a death or injury and some sues for that death/injury I will forward all my info and correspondance to the attorneys so they see that Ford was well aware. Really hope it never comes to that but corporate greed is pretty strong.
It's a shame that such a good company went so down hill

[Jim V]

Julie and Dan,
Here is another 2002 Taurus with a broken front coil spring. Yesterday, I was backing out of my driveway and BANG! The tire was sliced open like
a sardine can. I will be contacting my dealer on Monday and have it towed to them. Will Ford cover the broken coil spring if I have the ESP Basic Care?
I will be getting rid of the car after repairs because I can't trust it with my Grandchildren
riding in it.
Thanks,

[ruth]

Yesterday I was comming down my lane, a loud noise
happened, I stopped, I was only going aprox 5 to 7 miles per hour. I checked, just thought I had a blow out.. Put the donut on Thru. morning, started to go get new tires, then the donut was messing up. My husband had to call the to truck. took it to a ford dealer (2002 tarus SE) was checked and said No recall- The coil spring the front right one come out ripped my tire. Very fortunate I was driving slowely. I think ford should be responsible for these as they were on the 2000 ford tarus recall. Thanks