Problems with 2003 Ford Taurus SUSPENSION

I own a 2003 ford taurus. last week the right front spring broke and ripped the tire. ford has a recall on this problem for 2001 and earlier models. this could have caused an accident. *nm

Blower motor switch went out, plus water leak on passenger front side. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while backing out of the driveway, there was a noise and the driver side front end of the vehicle dropped down. the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, who determined the coil spring had fractured, puncturing the tire, and fracturing the sway bar link. the coil spring, tire, sway bar link and strut were replaced.

Dt*: the contact stated the front driver's side tire blew while in a parking lot. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined to be a broken coil spring. there is a nhtsa recall, # 04v332000, regarding the front coil springs. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the year of the vehicle. the dealer replaced the front coil springs. updated 3/17/2006 - *nm

Began noticing vibration in steering wheel of 2003 ford taurus lx. took car to original ford dealer 3-4 times and the tires were balanced, but the vibration persisted. on the last visit to this dealer, i was told that i needed new tires. spent $400 on new tires at an independent tire dealer, but the vibration is still there. went to different ford dealer and they told me that the new tires were "out of round". they balanced and rotated tires, but the vibration still persists. *jb

Dt the ball joints became defective on the front end of the vehicle at about 40,000 miles had them replaced august 17, 2005. took vehicle to a local mechanic to do the work and have seen other vehicles with this same problem. contacted ford, and filed complaint. there were no recalls s at this time.*ak *jb

Dt: 2003 ford taurus. the rear suspension collapsed while the consumer was driving approximately 25 mph. the piece that broke was taken to the dealership and she was told it was a defect from the beginning. the consumer's daughter was driving the vehicle and it was totaled. there was a police report filed. her daughter has a cut behind her neck and a hematoma on her knee. she is still having probelms with her leg. the driver's side rear tire fell over. *jb

Car shimmies and shakes on braking even with new rotors and brake pads. car has done this since about 20,000 miles. no accidents and just normal use of car. have had to have brakes and rotors replaced twice already. upon checking for others with issues, i discovered several others at epinions.com and decided to contact ford directly, they said they don't have a recall on this. i then decided it was time to contact the nhtsa. *tr

When coming to a stop vehicle bottomed out. this caused the chassis to become severely damaged. also, caused a grinding noise which happened numerous times. took vehicle to dealership to be checked, and was informed that nothing was wrong. consumer felt vehicle was unsafe to drive.*ak

My20 03' ford taurus se has faulty upper ball joints, as well as other mechanical problems dealing w/ the front end. auto was supposedly inspected prior to warranty ending and no problems were mentioned to me, now less than 60 days later i'm told there are numerous problems with various front end parts on this automobile. *ak

The vehicle shimmied/vibrated in the steering wheel and caused the vehicle to wander across the road, whenever the vehicle was driven at highway speed of 55 mph or more. the vehicle has been to the dealer on five separate occasions. the dealer rotated the tires and balanced each wheels, but the problem continued. *jb

Bolt on stabilizer to right rear tire dislodged, no nut, allowing bolt to loosen and wheel to dislocate to almost completely off car while driving down the road.*ak

The heater in my car failed. we called the ford parts department and they told me it was a known problem that the cowl, relay and blower failed due to water leakage. we took the car in they said the cost would be 400.00 which i could not afford at that time. now i have no choice winter is here and i need my heater working. there are numerous complaints about this problem its time ford fixes the problem at their cost not ours! i've also been told that i need front ball joints my car failed inspection. this car is only two years old i shoudn't be having these major problems. i can't remember the exact month or day i took the car into westbrook ford dealer but cost us 40.00 to tell me what i already knew the the blower didn't work because of water leakage. *nm