Rear Suspension Springs problems of the 2002 Mercury Sable

Our 2002 Sable was brought in for an emergency brake cable issue. While working on the rear brakes, the mechanic noticed that a rear suspension spring was broken. He said we were very lucky it did not rupture the tire. We had both rear springs replaced, because we did not know what caused it to break. After that work was done the car needed to be aligned, and that is when they noticed that a front suspension spring was even more severely broken that is when we searched for possible bulletins or recalls. There were many complaints about 2002 Sable spring breakage, and some actually rupturing tires. There in fact was a recall issued for 2001 Mercury Sables with spring breakage problems, but not for 2002s. We know in fact that the same part is used on 2001 and 2002s. So, for safety reasons we had no choice but to replace both front springs. We feel that this is a severe safety issue. We were lucky that the springs did not break and rupture tires when we were driving at a high speed. We believe that a bulletin should be issued to notify owners of this safety issue, and that repairs should be covered under a recall. We put out some $1200 to remedy the issue. Do we have any chance of compensation for our expenses? I did call Ford and made a complaint, and have been assigned a case number #cas - 8343589. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

I am writing the NHTSA in order to warn of a dangerous, potentially fatal, hazardous condition on a Mercury automobile. To the best of my knowledge this condition has been addressed by a previous recall notice on earlier year models of the Mercury Sable but not on the year model that I own. I own a 2002 Mercury Sable. In February of 2010 I had a flat tire on my drivers rear side when pulling out of a parking lot. When I removed the tire I found that a spring had broken and punctured the side of the tire and had cut the tire in a circular motion causing a rapid expulsion of air. On January 1 of 2011 the drivers side front tire flattened while pulling out of a parking lot. The same thing had happened again. The spring had broken and punctured the side of the tire. After the second occurrence I searched the internet for information to see if others have had similar experiences and found NHTSA campaign id number 04v332000. Campaign id number 04v332000 exactly describes the conditions that I have on my vehicle. However, my vehicle is a 2002 Mercury Sable and the recall covers 1999-2001 and does not address the rear springs. Were these to occur at highway speeds this may have caused serious injuries or fatalities. This condition has the potential to cause loss of control to the vehicle and needs to be addressed by Ford motor company immediately in order to warn the public of this dangerous condition. Expansion of the recall should include the later year models and the rear springs of all vehicles that utilize these springs and engineering design. I purchased this vehicle used at a Ford/Mercury dealership and have never received a notice, recall or otherwise, concerning this condition.

2002 Mercury Sable with 60,000 miles and always garaged. Rear spring broke on smooth city street puncturing and shredding tire causing violent jerk and sliding of rear of vehicle. I understand front springs are covered under recall 04v332000 but Ford claims they don't have to do anything about the rear. If it is established that springs are defective why does front versus rear make any difference?.

I have a 2002 Mercury Sable that has only 55,623 miles on it. Both of the rear springs broke. The spring on the drivers side broke in a way that it punctured the tire. Thankfully I happened to be backing out of my drive way when I heard the noise of the spring rubbing and not on the highway when the tire was punctured. I think the springs should last longer than 55,000 miles. I contacted my dealer who said this was not covered under any warranty. I was also told by the dealer that many other people have had this same problem. I contacted Ford and they will not cover this repair. I think that this could be a very dangerous failure when the spring can break in a way that it pops the tire since people could be driving at highway speeds. Ford should be recalling this vehicle and replacing these springs.

2002 Mercury Sable. Rear springs and struts sagging causing low/unstable ride and crunching noise. Service attendant said condition could be dangerous and is common problem with Sable/taurus.

While having tires rotated at sam's club, the technician notified me that both rear springs were broken.

My husband merely sat in our car and we heard a terrible noise from the back - it was the springs breaking. We spent $400. 00 to repair both rear springs. A month later, I took the car in for new tires and the drivers-side front spring broke. We ended up replacing springs, shocks, and mounting hardware for a total of $650. Ford has recalled the 1998-2001, but this problem obviously is still not fixed and the 2002 should be recalled as well.

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. On June 16, 2008, while the vehicle was being aligned, the contact discovered that both rear springs failed. He called the dealer and was informed that the total cost for the repair would be $500. The vehicle needed to be inspected and repaired. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 89,000.

Front passenger side spring broke while driving the car out of the garage. The broken spring cut a 4 inch gash in the tire and caused a flat. There was not an accident because we were driving so slowly in the garage but the tire blew suddenly and could have potentially caused an accident. To the best of my knowledge springs are not supposed to break however the tow truck driver, tire salesman, and several dealers all reported it as a common problem with the model care I was driving. Replaced both springs & struts in the front and tire $730. 00. I was advised that the rear springs should be safe because I have a wagon and they are a different part.

Car not handling properly. Brakes squealing. Very poor gas mileage. Car riding lower in back. Sounded/felt like I was riding on a flat, tire pressure was down, but not badly (3 lbs). Took to mechanic for tuneup. Advised rear tire bad with flat spots. Purchased tires to be installed. When mechanic pulled tire/wheel to install, noticed rear spring was broken. Pulled tire/wheel from other side. It too, was broken. One break was new, the other older as ends were rusted over. There are rub marks and wear on the rubber covering over both springs as well as the coating coming off. I have the broken springs and have taken photos that show brakes and discoloration. Two (2) new tires, two (2) rear springs and alignment cost $614. 68. I frequently have my grandchildren with me. Either one or both of them could have been severely injured has the pieces come through the seats.

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. While the tires were being rotated, the contact was informed that the rear springs had failed and punctured the rear tires. The mechanic stated that this should not have occurred on a vehicle of this year, make, and model. There was a recall for the front springs on the 1999 and 2001 models. The dealer stated that nothing could be done since the VIN was not related to the recalls. The contact sent an email to Ford motors and was informed that she would hear from them in three days. The rear tires were replaced. The contact has the invoice for the tires. The rear springs have not been replaced. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 83,000. Updated 02-01-08. Updated 02/01/08.

3 of 4 springs broke on Sable at a hotel in indiana. 2 rear springs and 1 front spring. Vehicle was not moving. Repair included 2 tires, 1 rear strut, one front steering bar and all four springs also required rental vehicle for 1 week, and an additional trip to indianapolis to get the repaired vehicle.

My 2002 Mercury Sable, which has 104000 miles, had a second broken rear spring in less than a year. The first one,at 92000 miles, was not covered by a recall and comprised replacing the rear strut as well, both at my expense, $382. I don't believe a spring should break under normal driving conditions. It looks as if I may have to go the same way this time, as I haven't see a recall on rear springs for this vehicle. Or is there?.

Rear springs on a 2002 Sable have broken. Nothing is being done by the companies despite numerous complaints.

Rear springs on my Mercury 2002 Sable purchased in December 2001 needed replacement and I have discovered there was a recall on the issue on 2001 Sables.

The kost tire store told me that my right rear spring appeared to have been broken for some time, and the left rear spring had a crack in it, on my '02 Sable with 50k miles they informed me the car was a danger to drive, and that it needed new struts and springs. I returned it to the dealer immediately, and was told there was no known problem with springs on that year Sable. The dealer replaced both springs for $350, not covered under the Ford extended warranty, and informed me that there was no need to replace the struts. I picked up the car on July 6, and realized there was a further problem because of the loud rumbling going over bumps, and a loud bang when hitting a bump at highway speed. It went back to the dealer July 7, and they determined the struts needed replacing. By then, the car had bounced on the rear tire so much that it had two bulges and also had to be replaced.

I own a 2002 Mercury Sable with 58,000 miles on it. The right rear spring broke while the car was parked. The end of the spring was now rubbing the sidewall of the tire which made a loud noise so I didn't drive it. The repair shop estimates $400 for repair. There is a recall on other Ford springs, including 2001 Sable, but not this car. I think they have a larger problem.

Rear springs broke. About 1 year ago I replaced the front springs. Although my car is a 2002 this should have been involved in the 2001 recall related to suspension. This is a safety issue that Ford should take care of before anyone does get hurt.

2002 Mercury Sable left rear coil spring broke. The rear coil spring failure also caused damaged to a new tire and the left rear strut.