The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The vehicle had the same failures as mentioned in the recall regarding 2000 Mercury Sable. The only difference was that the rear coil spring failed and punctured the tire while driving at 35 mph. An unusual noise was heard before the tire was punctured. Ford stated that nothing could be done because the recall applied only to the front coil springs. The service dealer replaced the failed springs with ones from the manufacturer, and stated that the noise was due to the muffler baffle. Also, the dealer mentioned that Ford was in the process of developing a different type of spring that has not yet been released. The current mileage is 39,798, and failure mileage was 39,700. The consumer stated that the vehicle was taken to another dealer who then replaced the struts and that solved the problem. Updated 06/09/07

- South Field, MI, USA

My 2000 Mercury Sable ls premium blew out the left front tire. At the moment I put the car in reverse to exit my driveway. My husband proceeded to remove the flat tire and install the MINIspare when he discovered the suspension strut coil spring had broken and penetrated the tire sidewall. I had the car towed to our Mercury dealer in essex, Vermont where new struts/coil springs were installed plus a new tire. This spring failure could have had fatal consequences if it would have happened at highway speeds. The coil spring was obviously defective due to a manufacturing/design flaw.

- Milton, VT, USA

While driving 25 mph left front coil spring failed, causing left front tire to puncture. Vehicle was unable to move. Vehicle was towed to dealer for analysis, and mechanic determined that the struts and coil springs needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.

- Liberty, ME, USA