567 of the
1,264 complaints about the 2001 Ford Taurus are about the
suspension — 45% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
71,000 miles.
SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS
NHTSA complaint #11389681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salix, IA
SUSPENSION
MY HIGH BEAM LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. WHEN I PUSH THE SWITCH TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON THEY TURN ON BUT THE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNS OFF AND WHEN SWITCH MY HIGH BEAMS ON MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS KINDA WORKING, OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11278592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesGwinn, MI
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A POPPING NOISE AND A FOUL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10926655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesKansas City, MS
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE REPAIR, THE REAR AND FRONT COILS SPRINGS WERE FOUND TO BE EXPOSED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 10/26/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10904911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,341 milesStillwater, MN
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,341.
NHTSA complaint #10723170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesNEW Palestine, IN
SUSPENSION
ON 5 15 2015, 2001 FORD TAURUS WITH 32K MILES WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS. MECHANIC OBSERVED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD DAMAGED THE TIRE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT FOR THIS VEHICLE AND YEAR. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS FOR VEHICLES IN SPECIFIC STATES, HOWEVER RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO REAR SPRINGS OR SUSPENSION AS OF MAY 2015. ON NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT WEBSITE, DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED INDICATING AT LEAST TWO DEATHS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10717026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesElgin, IL
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REMEDY ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10667089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesElgin, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REMEDY ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10667089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,330 milesBelmar, NJ
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR SUSPENSION FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,330.
NHTSA complaint #10630623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,300 milesEast Norwich, NY
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,123 milesJersey City, NJ
SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING CAR AT THE SPEED OF 40 AND SUDDENLY SOME SOUND CAME FROM LEFT WHEEL. I SAW AROUND AND FOUND SPRING COIL BROKEN AND THAT COIL IS RUBBING THE TYRE.
NHTSA complaint #10586433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesFulton, NY
SUSPENSION
EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE MAY IMPACT ITS STRUCTURE AND FAILURE CAN IMPACT SUSPENSION AND STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10578392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesBayville, NJ
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND MERGED OFF THE ROADWAY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION BUT NO DIAGNOSIS FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 03/05/14
NHTSA complaint #10560084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesPittsfield, IL
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 FORD TAURUS SES TODAY AT CITY SPEEDS (30 MPH) I HEARD A VERY LOUD METALLIC CLANKING SOUND. I DROVE STRAIGHT HOME AND WE PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT TO INSPECT. WE FOUND THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE RUST/CORROSION. WE LIVE IN ILLINOIS & CALLED FORD TO SEE ABOUT THE RECALL (04V332-4235) AND HOW TO GO ABOUT REPAIRING THIS. THE AGENT CHECKED OUR VIN AND TOLD US THAT OUR CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL DESPITE HAVING BEEN PRODUCED IN THE CHICAGO MANUFACTURING PLANT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PLANTS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. OUR TIRE WAS VERY CLOSE TO BEING SHREDDED BY THE BROKEN SPRING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE OUR CAR SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS RECALL AND STATED TO THE FORD AGENT THAT I WAS DISSATISFIED BY THE APPARENT RUNAROUND I WAS RECEIVING. I REQUESTED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO BE MADE, AND HE STATED HE WOULD PLACE MY COMPLAINT IN THEIR DATABASE. IF HE ACTUALLY DID, I HAVE NO IDEA. ALL CARS PRODUCED IN THE TIME FRAME AT THE CHICAGO PLANT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN DUE TO THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10512596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,830 milesWoodbridge, VA
SUSPENSION
DURING MULTIPOINT INSPECTION DEALER FOUND REAR SPRINGS BROKEN TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $572.58 . YOUR DATA BASE SHOWS THIS HAS BEEN A DEFECTIVE PART ISSUE AND NO RECALL. LOCAL DEALER NOT AWARE OF REAR SPRING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10512415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured2 killed
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
2ND REQUEST ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENTS, REQUESTING NHTSA NOT ONLY RECALL THE 2001 FORD TAURUS BUT REOPEN A 2007 INVESTIGATION RE THIS MATTER, ES HAVE NO REC OF PREVIOUS LTR FM SEN. MCCONNELL BUT RE ES11-005500/S/ C.LIEU *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER BROTHER AND HIS FRIEND DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, AND A THIRD PASSENGER WAS INJURED, WHEN THE REAR SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10491381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesPocatello, ID
SUSPENSION
THE FRONT, LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE LEAVING A JAGGED EDGE THAT SHREDDED THE TIRES SIDEWALL WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, BUT I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY PRIOR TO PARKING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THE TIRE THAT WAS SHREDDED WAS A NEAR NEW STUDDED SNOW TIRE. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION AND REPLACE THE TIRE WILL BE ABOUT 400 - 500 DOLLARS.
NHTSA complaint #10490623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 miles3 Glenmore Circle, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ..UPDATED 09-19-12 *BF UPDATED 09/20/2012
NHTSA complaint #10464447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 miles3 Glenmore Circle, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ..UPDATED 09-19-12 *BF UPDATED 09/20/2012
NHTSA complaint #10464447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 miles3 Glenmore Circle, NY
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ..UPDATED 09-19-12 *BF UPDATED 09/20/2012
NHTSA complaint #10464447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesSolon Springs, WI
SUSPENSION
FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THIS WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS COVERED BY RECALL 04M04. THE FIX WAS TO INSTALL A CHEAP PLATE TO PREVENT THE COIL SPRING FROM PUNCTURING THE TIRE WHEN IT CRACKS. THE RECALL INCLUDED A PREVISION TO REPLACE A BROKEN SPRING IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OR LESS THAN 150,000. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS NOT TO FIX THE COIL SPRING ITSELF BEFORE IT WOULD BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #10456923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesLincoln, NE
SUSPENSION
WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD "KLUNK". FROM THAT POINT ON WE ALWAYS HEARD DURING LEFT TURNS. THE NEXT DAY, I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR AND THE REAR SPRINGS HAD BROKEN. HE SAID THAT IT WAS GOOD TO GET IT IN. $600.00 BILL. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! PEOPLE HAVE DIED.
NHTSA complaint #10454974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500,000 milesHubertus, WI
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE WHILE REVERSING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A PRIOR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE COIL SPRINGS BUT THE RECALL HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500,000.
NHTSA complaint #10452958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,101 milesGarden City, MI
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD MY 2001 FORD TAURUS HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE LR TIRE. THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES WHICH CAUSED PART OF THE SPRING TO GOUGE THE INSIDE WALL OF THE REAR TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR COIL/SHOCK ASSEMBLY IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10451523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesHudsonville, MI
SUSPENSION
HEARD CLUNK FROM REAR OF VEHICLE ENTERING A PARKING LOT. INSPECTION LATER THAT EVENING REVEALED REAR SPRING BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #10445271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesW Charleston, VT
SUSPENSION
MY FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTEN!!! THE A ARM ISN'T EVEN ATTRACTED TO THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #10432368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLogansport, IN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,448.
NHTSA complaint #10418176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,164 milesAllenstown, NH
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,164.
NHTSA complaint #10412393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYCrash1 injured2 killed
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER REQUEST A RECALL ON REAR COIL SPRINGS ON 2001 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMERS SON WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE DRIVER, WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT SUDDENLY HE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, TOWARD THE MEDIAN WHICH SLOPED DOWNWARD AND BACK UP TO THE SOUTHBOUND LANES. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND LANDED ON ITS WHEELS AND WAS STUCK BY A SOUTHBOUND TRAILER TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED. THE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE KILLED THE CONSUMERS SON AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AND LEFT THE REAR PASSENGER WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. UPDATED 07/20/11 UPDATED 08/24/11*JB UPDATED 11/29/11.
NHTSA complaint #10404789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesBaltimore, MD
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SPRING BROKE AND KILLED REAR TIRE, ALMOST PEOPLE IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10396726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.