Front Suspension Coil Spring problems of the 2003 Ford Taurus - part 1

I was backing out of my parking space at work and I heard a loud noise and then fthe air wwnt out of my tire on the front driver side real. Once the tire was removed it revealed a large gash in the side wall of the tire as a result broken coil.

Driver's side front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Vehicle was thankfully parked when this happened. There was a recall no. 04v332000, for 1999-2001 models - curious why it stopped there? multiple online forums indicate this issue continued past 2001. Photos available if needed.

A strange grinding noise was coming from the passenger front tire area which was very noticable trying to back out of driveway, so pulled back in and looked to see what might be wrong. I noticed a burning rubber smell and that the wheel clearance was significantly less on passenger verse driver front tire. Drove up onto ramps to look from beneath and could clearly see the end of the coil poking into the inside edge of the tire with a worn mark all the way around where it was pushing into the rubber. After carefully backing off ramps, it was jacked up and placed on jack stands, at which time it was clearly visible the coil spring was snapped in two. It is a miracle this was found before my sister drove 70mph on the highway she was about to. This would've certainly caused a blowout and potentially a fire, and at those speeds could've certainly been deadly.

I regret to report that my daughter-in-law experienced a catastrophic failure of 3 coil spring assemblies and a subsequent front driver side tire failure due to a puncture a few months ago while was driving at a low rate of speed in her parents� neighborhood in winona. Fortunately no one was injured and she was able to pull the car into the driveway. We are thankful she wasn't driving at highway speeds on the interstate. The corrosion of the coil springs has been a known design problem for years. I have done some research and found that the 2003 model year is not on a recall at this time. However earlier model years of Taurus have been recalled for this same issue in the past, so corrosion of the coils is a known problem. The car is a 2003 Ford Taurus, 73,663 actual miles, well-maintained, no visible external rust, garaged nightly. This car was purchased from the Ford dealership in rochester, minnesota.

On about 15 Jan 2016, the driver'side side front coil springs broke. When it broke it punctured through driver'side side front tire. Luckily the car was sitting in the driveway at the time the coil springs broke and no further damage or injuries were sustained, just the broken coil spring and puncturedrives tire. From my research there was a previous recall for the exact same issue on earlier model years of the Ford Taurus but not for the 2003 model year and after talking to Ford customer care there are no existing recalls for this suspension issue.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While pulling out of the driveway at approximately 5 mph, a loud sound emitted from the front passenger side tire. The contact discovered that the front passenger side coil spring fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Travelling in reverse at approximately 5 mph when front left (driver's side) suspension spring coil broke and punctured the tire. Reference: investigation: #ea08018.

The vehicle suffered a broken passenger side front suspension spring. It immediately cut through and deflated the front tire. It is luck that this happened at very slow speed, if it happened at highway speed, loss of control would have been likely. The broken coil spring "hooked" the tire and cut the tire on the inside sidewall a full 360 degree separating the inside of the tire from the tread surface. It was difficult to move the vehicle in a desired direction. It was easier to park the vehicle safely by backing up to the curb. I understand that earlier model year Ford Taurus' were recalled for the same type of spring failure.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while reversing from a garage, a loud abnormal noise was heard from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the front passenger's side coil spring was fractured and punctured the front passenger's side tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who discovered that all four coil springs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 144,000. Updated 04/02/lj.

As I was pulling away from the curb to go to work my car just suddenly stopped as if I had slammed on brakes and made a very loud noise. Then the front drivers side tire went flat. I tried to back up back to the curb but it wouldn't move. A neighbor came to change the tire but couldn't get it off. Then a piece of the coil spring fell onto the road and he discovered that the rest of the spring is in the side of the tire. There is no rust on the spring. I have owned the car for 5 years and it never gave me any indication that the spring was going to break such as bouncing, etc. What if I had been barreling down the interstate? now I'm scared to drive it even if I manage to afford to get it fixed! I've read hundreds of complaints for this same issue. Maybe there is a product problem??.

Front spring broke and uncoiled ,stabbing front tire. Vehicle was parked so no strain on spring. If moving tire sidewall would have ripped open. No containment at all.

While driving the car noticed a clunking feeling in front end. After approx one mile saw smoke and smelled burning rubber. Turned around to get car home, and while sitting at stop light, front driver side tire exploded like a gun shot. Car was towed to Ford dealership and found "front left coil spring broke causing it to rub on tire causing burning rubber smell, smoke and tire to blow out". Repair bill is approx $925. Owner is 83 year old woman, and this is a very costly expense. Recall 04v332000 does not extend to this VIN although it is clearly the same issue.

The front driver's side coil broke. When it broke, it ruined my tire.

Front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Front of car dropped. Very difficult to control and pull to side. I thought Ford had fixed this problem as the previous recall was for earlier years.

Drove car out of my driveway at low speed (less than 5 mph) when driver side front coil spring of my 2003 Ford Taurus broke and made approx. 8 inch tear in the tire. Tire deflated instantly, could have been a very dangerous situation if it happened on the highway.

On or about may 5th of 2012 the front passenger coil spring fractured. Which then punctured a six month old tire. Then not more than 50 days later, on aproximately June 20th of 2012 the drivers side front coil spring fractured and punctured the drivers tire which was aproximately seven months old. If this were to happen on the road on either occasion it could have easily led to one or more fatality.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he heard a loud popping noise. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the front driver's tire was flat because a fractured coil spring pierced through the sidewall. The contact replaced the coil spring and noticed that the front passenger side coil spring was also fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

2003 Ford Taurus station wagon. Consumer states while backing out of the garage the left coil spring broke sending a piece of broken coil into the tire causing it to rupture the consumer stated the entire coil and strut assembly had to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 10 mph in reverse, the front drivers side coil spring broke and damaged the tire. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they diagnosed the failure and stated that was a common problem with the coil springs. The vehicle was repaired at the owners expense. The failure and current mileage was 78,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph in reverse out of his driveway he heard a loud banging noise. After inspecting his vehicle he noticed that the front drivers side coil springs fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised him that the shocks, struts, the stabilizer links for the front driver and passenger side had all been damaged as well and needed to be replaced. The coils springs were repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was approximately 109,800.

While backing up in my 2003 Ford Taurus ses, front driver side coil snapped and slashed tire.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving 5 mph, when the front driver side tire blew. The vehicle was stopped and the contact noticed that the front driver side coil spring was fractured and had pierced the tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the coil spring was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 68,250.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the front driver side coil spring fractured and punctured the front driver side tire. The contact had the vehicle towed to their mechanic who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000 and the current mileage was 114,000. Updated 08/31/11.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving appreciating 1 mph and leaving his driveway he noticed he had a flat tire. When he inspected the tire he noticed that the front drivers side coil spring had fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they are waiting for the results of the diagnostic test. The manufacturer advised him that there were no recalls. The failure and current mileage was approximately 59,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the front driver side coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not repaired for the fialure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure and the current mileage was 95,000.

2003 Ford Taurus. Consumer states coil spring snapped from the strut assembly while the vehicle was parked in the driveway.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While attempting to drive out of a parking space, the contact smelled rubber burning when he noticed the front drivers side coil spring had fractured the side wall of the tire, causing the tire to deflate. The failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 04v332000 (suspension front springs:coil springs). The dealer advised the contact that his vehicle was not included in the previous recall. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls associated with his VIN and offered no further assistance. The current and failure mileages were 74,900.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 mph the contact heard a loud noise and drove the vehicle onto the emergency lane. Upon examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side coil spring fractured and pierced the tire. A spare tire was installed and the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 133,050.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While the driver was traveling approximately 20 mph, she heard a loud ping sound followed by a clanking sound as if metal was bouncing on the ground. The driver stopped the vehicle and noticed a piece of unknown metal had fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven home and was not taken for inspection or repairs. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front passenger side coil spring had broken. There was an open investigation for the failure NHTSA action number: ea08018 (suspension: front: springs: coil springs). The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the driver side front tire. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed front driver side tire was flat. The contact stated the coil spring had broken. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated in order to diagnose the failure, the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer. There was an open investigation NHTSA action number: ea08018 (suspension: front: springs: coil springs). The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact noticed that the front coil spring fractured and ruptured the tire, causing it to deflate. The failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id 04v332000 suspension front:springs:coil springs. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the previous recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Driving about 35 mph car started shaking then loud bang, pulled over and found drivers side front tire flat had car towed to service center and was told that the coil spring broke and flatened the tire.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the front drivers side coil spring punctured a hole in the tire, causing it to deflate similar to NHTSA campaign number 04v332000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The dealer was notified and informed the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 98,000. Updated 4/4/11 updated 04/28/jb.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, he heard a loud noise and the vehicle suddenly lost control. He coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the front passenger side had exploded. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed the contact that the coil springs had punctured the tire causing it to blow out. The vehicle has been repaired for the front passenger coil springs and tire. The manufacturer was also contacted and informed him that there were no recalls for the coil springs and they could not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 03/17/lj.

Backing out of garage and heard a loud noise and left front tire went flat. Found left front coil spring had broken and punched a hole in a new tire (less than a week old). Could not get the flat off because the spring was inside the tire so could not put on the spacesaver spare had to tow. This is a 2003 Ford Taurus with less than 80,000 miles. Not civered under any warranty or policy.