Suspension Noise problems of the 2000 Ford Taurus

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 15 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle. Immediately, the vehicle vibrated excessively and performed abnormally. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side tire exploded without warning. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was related to the rear suspension. The vehicle was repaired and all four tires were replaced. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 23,500.

In reading th is particular complaint was one that I also experience daily and agree with original complainant in a blanket appeal to the Ford motor corp to fix on a recall list sent soon. This is a 6-passenger rated sedan. This problem has been reported to the dealer several times, but dealer says nothing wrong. Last week I put the car up on a hoist and made a visual inspection myself, and found defects that I believe warrant a recall. The problem: whenever I have one or two passengers in the back seat, the rear suspension make clunking noises. During my inspection, I found that the torsion bar is too weak and allows a the car to bottom out with a frame crossmember hitting the torsion bar. This happens on both torsion bars. These are parts that are not designed to hit each other (no rubber bump pads). In fact, if I were not so careful, this bottoming out could break the torsion bar a cause the car to lose control. In addition, there is evidence of the tailpipe rubbing against the left torsion bar which could eventually cause a carbon monoxide leak under the cabin. Also, there is a brake line that is being rubbed and worn because it is wedged against the left torsion bar and will eventually wear through. I feel that all of these problems should be corrected at no cost to me by the dealer. The weak torsion bars that allow the car to bottom out may need a recall to replace with stronger ones. This is an extreme safety hazard especially for those who purchased this car as a family car and regularly put people in the back seat. I was surprised to see that you don't have this problem on your recall list already. Jm.

This is a 6-passenger rated sedan. This problem has been reported to the dealer several times, but dealer says nothing wrong. Last week I put the car up on a hoist and made a visual inspection myself and found defects that I believe warrant a recall. I took about 35 photos and can make them available to you. The problem: whenever I have one or two passengers in the back seat, the rear suspension make clunking noises. During my inspection, I found that the torsion bar is too weak and allows a the car to bottom out with a frame crossmember hitting the torsion bar. This happens on both torsion bars. These are parts that are not designed to hit each other (no rubber bump pads). In fact, if I were not so careful, this bottoming out could break the torsion bar a cause the car to lose control. In addition, there is evidence of the tailpipe rubbing against the left torsion bar which could eventually cause a carbon monoxide leak under the cabin. Also, there is a brake line that is being rubbed and worn because it is wedged against the left torsion bar and will eventually wear through. I feel that all of these problems should be corrected at no cost to me by the dealer. The weak torsion bars that allow the car to bottom out may need a recall to replace with stronger ones. This is an extreme safety hazard especially for those who purchased this car as a family car and regularly put people in the back seat. I was surprised to see that you don't have this problem on your recall list already. I can send you photos and/or take my car to an NHTSA inspection site for verification of these problems.