SUSPENSION
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
6,903 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
7,440 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CONTOUR BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER IN EACH OF THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
80 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CONTOUR BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER IN EACH OF THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
80 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
3,750 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
144,435 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
436,200 vehicles affected
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
1,381 vehicles affected
DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR
DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR
DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE, LOSE POWER, SURGE AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS. *TR
Crash
1 injured
I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS. *TR
Crash
1 injured
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FILLER PIPE GROMMET WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,000.
CARS DASHBOARD GOT SO HOT THAT IT CURLED UP CAUSING THE FRONT DEFROSTERS NOT TO WORK AND ALSO PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPILL ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER GROMMET FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,400.
INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING, LOOSE BEZEL - THE WARPING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DOES CREATE LOOSE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS (SUCH AS THE DEFROST BEZEL) THAT WAS A PROJECTILE DURING A QUICK STOP AT A RED LIGHT - FOR THOSE READING - I DO INCLUDE PERSONAL INFO - MY NAME IS [XXX] IF YOU COULD HELP WITH INFO RE THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
1 injured
2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISION. THE DEFROST VENT POPPED OUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW DOES NOT FIT. THE CURLING OF THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DECENT DEFROST AND VENTING, WHICH IN ADDITION TO THE 6 INCHES OF DASHBOARD THAT HAS CURLED UP, INTERFERES WITH ADEQUATE SIGHT, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS (STRANGERS) STOP ME OUT-OF-THE-BLUE AND INQUIRE ABOUT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY ALSO HAVE. BASED ON THE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THIS DEFECT, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY FORD! *TR
IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. *TR
IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. *TR
VISORS FALL OUT OF ROOF WHEN TOUCHED, HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. *TR
CAR ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED,A WEEK LATER ENGINE WOULD KILL WHEN DRIVING. CHANGED AIR FILTER,OIL,AND FUEL LINE WAS CLEARED. A MONTH LATER SAME THING IS HAPPENING. MECHANIC SAYS MAY NEED NEW FUEL PUMP,BUT NOT SURE THAT WILL CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR
MY REAR BRAKES WILL NOT STAY ON MY CAR AND KEEP FALLING OFF INTO THE DRUMS. *TR
DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK. *TR
DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK. *TR
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER IN 2002 IN RESPONSE TO FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 01B78 TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE WARPING AT THE TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND NO SERVICE WAS REQUIRED. THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, THE WARPING STARTED TO BECOME VISIBLE. EARLIER IN THE MONTH, THE WARPING APPLIED SO MUCH STRESS ON THE VENT COVER THAT THE COVER SNAPPED OUT AND LANDED IN THE FRONT SEATS. THE WARPING INCREASED GREATLY AND VISIBILITY IS REDUCED ON OBJECTS CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. *TR
MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR
MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR
MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR
THE VINYL DASHBOARD ON MY 200 FORD CONTOUR SVT IS WARPING CAUSING THE VINYL TO RISE INTO THE DRIVER FOV. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STARTER OF THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. A FIRE WAS STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,887. UPDATED 09/19/07 *TR
Fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,112. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,112. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 15 MINUTES. THE DEALER STATED THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY).
THE DASH BOARD IS CURLED UP. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2002 AND HAS SLOWLY CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THAT THE TIME FRAME FOR MAKING A CLAIM HAD EXPIRED. WE DIDN'T PROCEED FURTHER BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST US $1000 TO FIX. OUR WARRANTY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT BECAUSE THEY CONSIDERED IT "UPHOLSTERY." WE HAVE JUST LEFT IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OVER THE CURLED DASH BOARD. PLUS, IN THE WINTER, THE WINDOW DOESN'T DEFROST PROPERLY, AGAIN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. I JUST SAW YOUR WEBSITE ON LINE TODAY, WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T CONTACT YOU EARLIER. *TR
FOAM PADDING ON INSTRUMENT PANEL CURLED BACK FROM DASHBOARD/INSTRUMENT PANEL SO AS TO PARTIALLY BLOCK LINE OF VISION ALONG THE LOWER WINDSHIELD, TO BLOCK AND DISRUPT THE AIR FLOW FROM THE DEFROSTER. PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY 10/2003 AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESIVELY WORSE.*AK
DASHBOARD HAS WARPED TO THE POINT WHERE THE DEFROSTER PLASTIC VENT DOES NOT FIT IN ITS DESIGNATED SPOT. DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK AS A RESULT OF THE AIR NOT BEING DIRECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD PROPERLY. *JB
2000 FORD CONTOUR TOP OF DASH WARPED SEVERELY. *JB
I HAVE A 2000 FORD CONTOUR THAT I PURCHASED IN 2000 WHILE I LIVED IN NH. IN EARLY 2001, I MOVED OUT OF NH AND TO MA. LAST YEAR, I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION TO A VERY NOTICEABLE WARPING IN MY DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLACK VENTING PIECE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED AND COULD BECOME LOSE AND SERVE AS A PROJECTILE IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FRONT WINDSHIELD NO LONG DEFROSTS PROPERLY WHICH CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING WHILE DRIVING. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2001, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE NOTICE WAS SOMEHOW SENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS. *JB
I HAVE A 2000 FORD CONTOUR THAT I PURCHASED IN 2000 WHILE I LIVED IN NH. IN EARLY 2001, I MOVED OUT OF NH AND TO MA. LAST YEAR, I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION TO A VERY NOTICEABLE WARPING IN MY DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLACK VENTING PIECE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED AND COULD BECOME LOSE AND SERVE AS A PROJECTILE IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FRONT WINDSHIELD NO LONG DEFROSTS PROPERLY WHICH CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING WHILE DRIVING. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2001, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE NOTICE WAS SOMEHOW SENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED IN AN ATTEMPTTO DRIVE THE 2000 FORD CONTOUR SHE GOT IN AND SAW THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PEELING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL TYPES OF WEATHER MADE IT PEEL MORE AND MORE. HER VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN SUNLIGHT EVERYDAY; BLOWER SEPARATED FROM DASHBOARD AND DASHBOARD IS NOW WARPED BADLY. NO RECALL NOTICE/ BULLETIN RECEIVED FROM DEALERSHIP IN WHICH VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM. *NM
THE LEADING EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD (PORTION NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD) HAS "WARPED" UPWARD SEVERELY (6+ INCHES!). IT NOW PRESSES AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, PREVENTING THE DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER MONTHS. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS DASHBOARD WARPAGE WOULD INTERFERE WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BY FORD TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, BUT THIS PROGRAM TERMINATED IN 2002, AND THIS WARPAGE COMMONLY DOES NOT/DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL WELL AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDED. *JB
THE VENT BRACKET ON THE DASH BECAME LOOSE AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF WHEN I REMOVED IT FROM THE CAR. THE DASH PAD BEGAN TO SHRINK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE GOT THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT IN 2004. THERE WAS A REPAIR CAMPAIGN FOR A 6 MONTH PERIOD--BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART TO ME AT NO COST. I WILL INSTALL IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER IS BLOCKED BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHRINKING DASH PAD; PART OF THE DRIVER'S VISION IS BLOCKED; THE GRILLE IS DANGEROUS IF IT BECOMES LOOSE IN THE CAR; THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WILL BE INTERFERED WITH UNLESS THERE IS A REMEDY. *JB
THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED AND IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE BASE CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW AS WELL AS LIMITING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER. HAVE NOT CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS OF YET AND I AM RELUCTANT TO GIVEN THE GROWING NUMBER OF DISSATISFIED CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. INCIDENT DATE IS UNKNOWN, I USED 1/1/05 BECAUSE THE DEFECT BEGAN IN EARLY PART OF 2005. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN JUNE 2004 AND THERE WAS NO DEFECT AT THAT TIME. *NM
THE DASHBOARD ADHESIVE IS DEFECTIVE ON MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT. THE DASH AROUND THE DEFROSTER VENT AND UP TO THE WINDSHIELD HAS WARPED SO BADLY THAT THE DEFROSTER VENT ACTUALLY POPPED OUT OF THE DASH AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DASH EVENTUALLY CURLED UP HIGH ENOUGH TO TOUCH THE DASH, MAKING THE DEFROSTER INEFFECTIVE TO CLEAR FOGGING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALSO SEPARATING FROM THE DASHBOARD DUE TO THE WARPING. FORD HAD ORIGINALLY HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY LEFT IT OPEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW, SO I AM INDICATING THE VEHICLE'S BUILD DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE, EVEN THOUGH THE DASH CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. *NM
DASH WARPED ON 2000 FORD CONTOUR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN FEB. OF 2001 AND HAD THE DASH REPLACED ONCE ALREADY WHEN IT WAS COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED FORD REFUSED TO HELP AS MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE DASH IS SEVERELY WARPED TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. CONSIDERING MY HEIGHT, IT HAS CERTAINLY HAD AN EFFECT ON MY VISION OF THE ROAD. IT ALSO HAS AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE DEFROSTER FUNCTION. THE FRONT OF THE DASH IS NOW BEGINNING TO WARP AS WELL JUST ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT FORD REFUSES TO HELP. PLEASE HELP!!!!*JB
SUDDEN WARPAGE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER ATTACHING TO THE DEFROSTER VENT UNDERNEATH THE WINDSHIELD (ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, NHTSA 624125), CAUSING BLOCKING OF VIEW AND HEAT VENTILATION. FORD DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES STATED ON OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 01B78-S2, INSTEAD WANTED THE OWNER TO REPLACE ENTIRE PANEL COVER, WHICH WOULD COST 8-10 TIMES MORE THAN THE 01B78-S2 PROTOCOL. *NM
THE DASH BOARD HAS BEEN WARPING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS MORE AND MORE NOTICEABLY. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT THAT THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND I HAVE TO WIPE DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WITH A CLOTH AND DAWN DISH SOAP (TO HELP KEEP THE FOGGING DOWN). *NM
THE DASH BOARD HAS BEEN WARPING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS MORE AND MORE NOTICEABLY. IT IS NOW TO THE POINT THAT THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND I HAVE TO WIPE DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WITH A CLOTH AND DAWN DISH SOAP (TO HELP KEEP THE FOGGING DOWN). *NM
FOAM COVER ON DASHBOARD HAS WARPED. EDGE NEAREST WINDSHIELD HAS CURLED UP AND IS NOW TOUCHING WINDSHIELD AT LEAST 5 INCHES FROM BASE. WARPED DASHBOARD BLOCKS AIR FROM DEFROSTER RESULTING IN SAFETY HAZARD AS VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A KNOWN DEFECT (TSB 01B78). FORD HAD AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM IN PLACE BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER DESPITE OWNING THE CAR AND HAVING IT REGISTERED AT THE TIME. A SUPERVISOR AT THE FORD "CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER" TOLD ME THAT "IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE MAIL". I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED. THIS IS NO LONGER AN AESTHETIC PROBLEM AS THE BLOCKAGE OF THE DEFROSTER SEVERELY COMPROMISES SAFETY. *JB
FOAM COVER ON DASHBOARD HAS WARPED. EDGE NEAREST WINDSHIELD HAS CURLED UP AND IS NOW TOUCHING WINDSHIELD AT LEAST 5 INCHES FROM BASE. WARPED DASHBOARD BLOCKS AIR FROM DEFROSTER RESULTING IN SAFETY HAZARD AS VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS THE RESULT OF A KNOWN DEFECT (TSB 01B78). FORD HAD AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM IN PLACE BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER DESPITE OWNING THE CAR AND HAVING IT REGISTERED AT THE TIME. A SUPERVISOR AT THE FORD "CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER" TOLD ME THAT "IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE MAIL". I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED. THIS IS NO LONGER AN AESTHETIC PROBLEM AS THE BLOCKAGE OF THE DEFROSTER SEVERELY COMPROMISES SAFETY. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD RAISED UP CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYING WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. UPDATED 10/2/2006 - *NM
I OWN A 2000 FORD CONTOUR THAT WAS BOUGHT IN 2001. THE DASH PANEL AROUND THE DEFROSTER GRILL HAS PEELED BACK. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY $1600 TO REPLACE THE DASH. I FEEL THAT SINCE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY DASH REPLACED. *NM
DASHBOARD COMING AWAY FROM FIREWALL WHICH IN TURN DISRUPTS THE DEFROST DUCT ALSO COULD MAKE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, SANTA MARIA FORD, FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORM ME THAT IT IS NOT COVERED THEY STATE THERE IS A FIX WHICH COSTS ABOUT 200 TO 300 DOLLARS (INSTALL YOURSELF) BAD IDEA COULD AFFECT AIR BAGS, TO FIX PROPERLY FORD STATES THE DASH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED 1300.00 DOLLARS. THIS SHOULD BE A DEFECT FOR A RECALL. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK STRAP DETACHED ON 07/01/06. A STRAP WAS OBSERVED HANGING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT HAND FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY STRAP HAD BECOME DETACHED. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO ORDER FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY STRAP. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY STRAP WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THAT THERE WAS NOT A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE.
SAME AS MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE DASH BOARD IS COMING APART AND CURLING UP SO THAT THE DEFROSTER VENT IS BLOCKED CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY ($500.00) TO FIX AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR AS MANUFACTURED. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *NM