general problems of the 2001 Ford Taurus

As I was traveling the rear spring snapped and started to gouge into the tire and cut the tire on the top corner sidewall where the steel belts are now showing also heated up so fast that I was not able to take off the lug nuts of the tire to see what was wrong. This is a common problem according to multiple Ford dealership service advisors and it could be fatal if the tire explodes. Ford claims there is not enough complaints to order a recall for a potential fatal flaw in the car.

Rim (wheel) ripped apart with the lug nuts and center of rim still attached to car / rotor: my son was traveling at approx. 70 mph on the highway when the front right passenger wheel started to shake. Before he could step on the brake the tire and most of the rim was detached from the car causing excessive damage to the front end. From the center lane, the car went skidding out of control to the side of the highway barely missing a large pole and eventually coming to a stop. The mechanic on the scene had never seen anything like this in his long career of mechanics. He told my son that he was very lucky he was on even pavement because the car could have easily flipped causing major injury and probably death. Hood or driver side door won't open. Brakes are not functional. Frame, rotor and lower suspension are damaged. It is presumed that the cost to repair will be more than the car is worth (total loss). I found that another incident just like this was reported to NHTSA on July 27, 2001, VIN-[xxx], so this isn't just a one time occurrence. I felt compelled to report this because I feel that many more are at risk and that this has happened to others who didn't know to report it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While vehicle was parked/started up rear passenger side wheel intermittently locked up. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.