Defect
On certain vehicles, the front coil springs may fracture when operated in high corrosion areas (where salt is used on the roadways in winter). The potential for corrosion causing a spring to fracture increases with the number of kilometres and years in service on the vehicle. A fractured spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire causing a rupture resulting in a rapid air loss.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
For vehicles sold in or are currently registered in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, dealers will install protective spring shields as specified in recall campaign 04S17. In addition, Ford will notify nationwide all 1999 to 2001 Taurus and Sable owners of a Customer Satisfaction Program 04M04 in which Ford will provide additional repair coverage for replacement of fractured front coil springs for a period of 10 years from the original date of sale of the vehicle, or up to 240 000 kilometres, whichever occurs first.