STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
2,697,000 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.
299,600 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
98,000 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
565,000 vehicles affected
WHEELS
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
654,000 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
325,000 vehicles affected
SEATS
THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
278,000 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS WERE UNINTENTIONALLY EQUIPPED WITH CLEAR BULBS, INSTEAD OF AMBER COLORED BULBS AS SPECIFIED IN FMVSS 108.
Remedy: REPLACE CLEAR BULBS WITH AMBER COLORED BULBS.
22,000 vehicles affected
CORROSION-RELATED DETERIORATION IN 1989 MERCURY SABLE RESULTED IN DETACHMENT OF SUB-FRAME REAR PLATE NUT AND BOLT PULLING THROUGH. SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS 93V106002 AND 98V-323/98S36. ADVISED BY FORD DEALER THAT THESE RECALLS DO NOT APPLY TO MY VIN AND ARE LIMITED TO EASTERN US STATES. HOWEVER 98V-323 STATES THAT VEHICLES WITH THESE SYMPTOMS ARE TO BE REPAIRED FREE BY DEALERS. NO ACCIDENT/INJURY HAS OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR ON MONDAY APRIL 29 2007. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE RECALL WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIR AND IF NOT, WHY NOT. SALT IS USED EXTENSIVELY IN UT FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL. *TR
THIS MORNING (7-8-04) I WAS PULLED OVER FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND THE OFFICER SAID I WAS DOING 75 IN A 55 WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER READ 65. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN IF THERE WAS SOMEWAY HE COULD FORGET THE TICKET SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST TIME EVER AND HE SAID NO. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN TO ME EVERYTHING ON THE TICKET AND YOU CAN HARDLY READ HALF THE?!@#$% HE WROTE. I AM GOING TO TAKE THIS TO COURT SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE ME SIGN THE TICKET LIKE IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE. THEY DON'T PUT THE WORD "SIGNATURE" ON THE A LINE FOR NOTHING. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF I RECEIVED A CALL OR AT LEAST AN E-MAIL WITH IN THE NEST 24 HOURS. THANK YOU AND PLEASE DO DRIVE SLOW.*AK
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND U-TURN AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT A CURVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE ALSO JUMPED UP INTO A CURVE AND DENTED THE LEFT FENDER BY A TREE. *LA
WE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, GATHERED OUR THINGS AND WENT IN TO THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO BRUSH THE SNOW OFF OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR AND DISCOVERED THE WHOLE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED LIKE A CANDLE, WE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK THE PREVIOUS DAY AND WERE VERY LUCKY WE DIDN'T LOSE OUR HOME ALSO. WE FIGURE THE REASON THE CAR DIDN'T BECOME FULLY INVOLVED WAS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP TIGHT AND IT SUFFOCATED THE FLAMES, THE CAR IS STILL A COMPLETE LOSS. THE WIRING IN THAT CAR HAD NEVER BEEN TOUCHED,CUT OR MODIFIED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN EXCEPT FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE WAY WE SEE IT MERCURY SHOULD OWE US ONE CAR OR BLUE BOOK VALUE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *LA
Fire
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE WARRANTY PROGRAM ON THE SEAT BELTS HAS EXPIRED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE JUMP INTO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ANY ADDTIONAL INFORMATION. TS
CONSUMER STATES BRAKE WORK HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED ON VEHICLE. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, ALL 5 LUG BOLTS WERE BROKEN OFF, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE PART THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. *SLC
Fire
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WILLCLICK IN, BUT WILLNOT STAY OPEN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NOTICING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN DRIVEING/ STOPPING AND GOING. *AK
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE PART THAT CONTROLS THE HEATER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. *SLC
Fire
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE HEAD BLEW.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD APPEARED TO HAVE ABNORMALITIES, SUGGESTING POOR MANUFACTURING.*JB
WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE HEAD BLEW.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD APPEARED TO HAVE ABNORMALITIES, SUGGESTING POOR MANUFACTURING.*JB
SEAT BELT THAT SLIDES INTO THE BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER STATED SEAT BELT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR 12 YEARS, AND WARRANTY EXPIRED .*AK
DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASES ON ITS OWN. SOMETIME ENGAGES WHEN BUCKLING UP. STAYS LATCHED & COULD SELF RELEASE @ ANYTIME. MANY TIMES HAVE TO STRUGGLE FOR LATCHING TO TAKE PLACE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 16 MONTHS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP WHAT COULD BE DONE! THANKS! B.E.*AK
BUSHINGS AND RADIUS ARM ARE GONE ON RIGHT SIDE. HEARED A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN BACKING OR GOING FORWARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND TOOK VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS ARE FAULTY. *SLC
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER THAT ENGINE WAS BAD. *JB
CONSUMER ONLY OWNED VEHICLE FOR A MONTH AND A HALF, WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED TO ARISE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AND C0NSUMER WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, SHE THEN TOOK VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER DELAER TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND SHE WAS ADVISED OF THE SAME THING. *JB
CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER THAT POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. *JB
RECALL FOR SUBFRAME CORROSION WAS REPAIRED. SOME YEARS LATER THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK
VEHICLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL 98S36, WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM RECALL, DEALER REPAIRED, BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR PRIOR FAILURE *SLC
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING/BRAKES, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE CONTROL VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRS AT 62539,72,913 WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. *AK
RECALL 97I003000/ ABS BRAKES. CONTACTED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, MANUFACTURER SAID THEY NEED TO KNOW DATE OF MANUFACTURING OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER SAID TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. DEAELR SAID IT WAS PART OF RECALL, BUT COULD NOT ORDER PARTS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE PART NUMBER. SEATBELT BUCKLE WAS BROKEN WHICH WON'T PROTECT OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. *AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING COULD SMELL LIKE A BURNING RUBBER INSIDE OF VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN FORWARD POSITION, AND ONLY GEAR THAT WAS WORKING WAS REVERSE FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS.*AK
SEAT BELTS ARE DIFFICULT TO FASTEN. *SLC
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED ENGINE MONTS WERE BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THIS IS A SECOND IDENTICAL INCIDENT DURING THE LAST 2 YEARS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE STARTER RELAY GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO CRANK THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. I STOPPED IT BY DICONNECTING THE BATTERY, BUT MEANWHILE THE BATTERY STARTED BOILING AND LEAKING. THE INCIDENT OCCURED 4-5 TIMES DURING 3 DAYS. I REPLACED THE STARTER RELAY AND THE BATTERY. AFTER THIS, THE INCIDENT OCCURED ONLY ONE MORE TIME, ABOUT 5 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER RELAY WAS REPLACED. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURED FOR THE FIRST TIME TWO YEARS BEFORE (1998), WITH THE ORIGINAL STARTER RELAY. I THAT TIME I REPLACED THE RELAY, AND FOR 2 YEARS EVERYTING SEEMD OK. THIS IS A MATTER OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT ALSO HAPPENED WITH A NEW STARTER RELAY INSTALLED, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME OTHER PROBLEM IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM.
CLIENT STARTED CAR AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND CONTROL, CAR THEN HIT TREE COULD NOT BRAKE.*AK
Crash
1 injured
WON'T PASS SMOG AND EGR PLUG AND WIRE ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM DEALER OR ANY OTHER AUTO PARTS STORE. HOW DO I GET IT SMOGGED WHEN PARTS ARE MELTED AND I CAN'T GET THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE BURNED ONES?
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Fire
WON'T PASS SMOG AND EGR PLUG AND WIRE ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM DEALER OR ANY OTHER AUTO PARTS STORE. HOW DO I GET IT SMOGGED WHEN PARTS ARE MELTED AND I CAN'T GET THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE BURNED ONES?
BOLTS ON REAR BODY MOUNTS ARE LOOSE, AND MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK *ML
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALLS ON ENGINE MOUNTS, AND SEATBELTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY CORRECTED RECALLS. BUT WHEN CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WORK HAD NEVER BEEN DONE. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALLS ON ENGINE MOUNTS, AND SEATBELTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY CORRECTED RECALLS. BUT WHEN CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WORK HAD NEVER BEEN DONE. *AK
CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (98V-323) FOR THE SUB FRAME MOUNT AND BOLTS, MOUNTS FAILED HOWEVER DEALER WILL NOT COVER COST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TIME FOR THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. YH
UNDERHOOD FIRE NEAR WIRING HARNESS IN CENTER BACK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR HEATER RELAY. *AK
Fire
CONSUMER HAS A SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT SEAT BELT. SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. WHEN SHE CLOSES THE DOOR, SEAT BELT WIILL BE HANGING FROM THE DOOR. *AK
SEATBELT LOCKED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
HEAD GASKET WENT FIRST, THEN 11 MONTHS LATER ENGINE BLEW NOW NOT EVEN TWO YEARS LATER HEAD GASKET BLOWN AGAIN. *AK
HEAD GASKET WENT FIRST, THEN 11 MONTHS LATER ENGINE BLEW NOW NOT EVEN TWO YEARS LATER HEAD GASKET BLOWN AGAIN. *AK
I WAS A BELTED FRONT PASSENGER EJECTED FROM BELT THROUGH WINDSHEILD SUSTAINING SEVERE HEAD/NECK/ARM AND BACK INJURIES.ALSO, HAD SEATBELT FAILURE WITH INJURY AS WELL.WE WERE STRUCK ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANNEL OF ILLEGAL LEFT HAND, TURNER RAN OFF ROAD .THESE GUYS KNEW THIS CAR HAD A SAFETY FAILURE AND CHOSE TO SELL US THIS CAR WITH THE ORIGINAL SEATBELTS, AND NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND TO AVOID INCIDENT.PRETTY ROTTEN IF YOU ASK ME. *AK
Crash
2 injured