2002 Ford Mustang Complaint Log

On or about 01/28/2023 I purchased a 2002 Ford Mustang GT for a N.J. used car dealer. I was assured by the sales person that the Mustang had been thoroughly inspected and there were no mechanical problems whatsoever. Upon delivery of the Mustang, that had only 68,886 miles, I took the Mustang for a required Virginia Safety Inspection and learned that the front brakes were completely worn out and must be replaced. I had a complete front brake job done, to include: new brake pads, rotors, calipers and hoses. The front brake job cost $637.17. Mula Auto Group 117 E Main St Somerville, NJ 08876 mulaautogroup.com (908) 231-1777 - Main (908) 231-1799 - Fax On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 5:19 PM [XXX] wrote: Dear sir: On or about 01/28/2023, I purchased a 2002 Mustang GT from Mulaj Auto. Before I purchased the car from [XXX], he told me there were no mechanical problems whatsoever and the car had been inspected. It took almost three weeks for me to get the Mustang transported from New Jersey to Virginia. After the Mustang arrived on February 13, 2023, I was away for two weeks and did not drive the car until early March. I recently had a Virginia state safety inspection done and the Mustang barely passed inspection because of the badly worn front brakes. Both pads were worn to minimum limits, both rotors were badly grooved and the left caliper was seized. I just had the front brake work done today, for a total of $637.17. Invoice #[XXX] is attached. If I had been told the Mustang needed front brakes, I would not have bought the car. There is no doubt that Mulaj Auto should have advised me of the bad front brakes. Because Mulaj Auto failed to do so, I think you'll agree that Mulaj Auto should compensate me for the front brake job. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

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THE FUEL PUMP IN MY 2002 3.8L MUSTANG STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I LOWERED THE GAS TANK TO REPLACE IT, I FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC PART THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT SETS DOWN INTO IS OFFSET FROM THE HOLE AND THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT CAN NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING THE PART THAT IT SETS DOWN INTO. SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE PUMP, I HAVE TO BUY AN ENTIRE GAS TANK SINCE THAT PART COMES PRE-INSTALLED

WHILE IDLING MY CAR SUDDENLY HAD CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.

TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO AIR BAGS DEPLOYING I COMPLAINED TO MY TWO PASSENGERS THAT MY EYES WERE BURNING. I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE IN CENTER LANE IN CITY TRAFFIC, WHEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND INSTANTLY BOTH AIRBAGS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE NOISE AND FORCE STARTLED ME TAKING MY FOOT OF BRAKE AND ROLLING FORWARD. THE AIR BAGS BLEW BOTH MY PASSENGER AND MY GLASSES INTO THE BACK SEAT OF CAR. THE PASSENGER BAG WAS SMOKING BADLY AND I QUICKLY PUT DOWN BOTH WINDOWS AND I PULLED OFF STREET INTO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHOM I ROLLED INTO PULLED OVER AS WELL. WE CHECKED BOTH THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND REAR BUMPER OF HER CAR AND BECAUSE NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. I TOOK A PICTURE OF HER BUMPER AND LICENSE PLATE TO SHOW NO DAMAGE. MY PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT WAS BRUISED FROM AIRBAG AS FOR MYSELF AND THE OTHER PASSENGER WE WERE SHAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE.

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A IN TOWN ROAD SHE CAME UPON CONSTRUCTION, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED BECAUSE THE 2 LANES WERE DOWN TO 1. AS SHE WAS WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO START MOVING HER BOOT GOT CAUGHT UNDER SEAT LEVER (THIGH HIGH BOOTS FLAP GOT CAUGHT) AND IT MADE HER FOOT SLIP FROM BRAKE, SHE THEN BUMPED INTO THE VAN IN FRONT OF HER, LESS THEN 5MPH AND BOTH WHICH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OR ANYTHING ON HER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESTROYING HER COLUME. ABSOLUTELY NO FRONT END DAMAGE, NO DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE, CAR STILL RUNS AND SEATBELTS STILL WORK. HAVING IT CHECKED FOR MALFUNCTIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I RECENTLY WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE LATE AFTER WORK ON INTERSTATE 10 AT 60 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL , HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THROWN INTO ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS STATED IN POLICE REPORT. BOTH FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE HOWEVER NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING FACIAL TRAUMA SEATBELTS FAILED, AS IT DID NOT HOLD MY 100 LB BODY IN PLACE.CAUSING INJURY. FROM BEING THROWN ALL OVER THE CAR CAUSING LOSS OF CONCIOUSNOUS. BACK DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND HUB WAS TORN OFF FROM IMPACT AND AXLE WAS BROKE. CAR HAD 96 K MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED.AND CARED FOR. HOWEVER THIS CAR HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS, SEATBELTS, AMONG OTHER ISSUES THAT CA RESULT IN A HUMAN LIFE!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

BLEW SPARK PLUG OUT.

THE ABS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. IT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKING OR ANY ACCIDENT SINCE THIS OCCURRED ABOUT JUNE 2016. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED BY FORD, SINCE THIS COULD BE A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

HEADLIGHT

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DISCONTINUED THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ANTI-LOCK PUMP UNIT (ABS PUMP) OF THEIR CLASSIC CAR FORD MUSTANG FOR THE YEARS 1999 TO 2004. IT IS A PART THAT SERVES THE CAR'S SAFETY SYSTEM BEING AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THIS IS AN UNWISE DECISION THAT ENDANGERS THE LIFE OF 1999-2004 MUSTANG OWNERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. ACCORDING TO WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG A TOTAL OF 947,667 MUSTANGS WERE SOLD ON THE REFERENCE YEARS, THE MAJORITY IS STILL ON THE ROAD. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DISCONTINUED ALSO.

I HAD JUST FINISHED FUELING UP MY CAR AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT UP I HEARD A POP AND HISSING SOUND.... WHEN I CHECKED IT HAD BLOWN ANOTHER SPARK PLUG AND COIL OUT OF CYLINDER 7.... IT BLEW ONE OUT OF CYLINDER 8 AND I HAD IT FIXED NOW CYLINDER 7 DID IT.... ITS OBVIOUSLY COMMON FOR THE 4.6 MOTOR TO DO THIS AND I DON'T FIND IT RIGHT THAT US OWNERS HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FIX THESE PROBLEMS WHEN ITS FORD'S FAULT FOR MAKING THIS MOTOR. *TR

THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ANCHORED THE BRAKES. I WAS 3 CAR LENGTH BEHIND. TH ABS FAILED AND DID NOT ALLOW THE BRAKES TO RESUME. WE HIT THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT AT 35MPH. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT BROKE ENDING MY FIANCE HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE TOYOTA DID NOT HAVE A SCRATCH: MYSELF AND MY GIRL ARE BOTH INJURED. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 5/14. I BELIEVE THERE MAY NOT BE AIRBAGS AND I ALSO THINK THIS CAR ESCAPED HAVING TO HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE. WE ARE UPSET TO SAY THE LEAST. AS IT IS ONE THING BUT TO PUT A CONSUMERS LIFE AT RISK IS ANOTHER. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR FROM THIS DEALER SINCE MARCH 2014 THAT WE HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEATH TRAP. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD AND THERE'S A KNOCK COMING FROM THE BLOCK. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PULLING IN TO THE DRIVE WAY ON HER WAY FROM DOING SOME ERRANDS A DRIVE OF LESS THAN 5 MILES AND ITS A RURAL ROAD WHERE YOU CANT DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN SHE SMELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. SHE CHECKED THE GAUGES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OFF THE HOOD. SHE ONLY HAD TIME TO PARK THE CAR AND GET OFF AS THE WHOLE ENGINE BAY GOT ENGULFED IN FLAMES.THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE FROM SPREADING BUT THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. *TR

1 - ENGINE MAKES HORRIBLE SOUND IN COLD WEATHER. ALSO APPEARS TO BE ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. VERY BAD GAS MILEAGE - BIG CHANGE IN DECREASED MPG. HAVE ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO FILL UP GAS TANK WHERE FUEL GUN FILLER WONT ALLOW ME TO FUEL AS THE GAS PUMP AT MOST GAS STATIONS WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP AND KICK OUT THE FUELLER GUN AND SPIT GAS OUT OF MY TANK AND SPILL ON MY CAR. THERE IS ALSO OIL ON MY SPARK PLUGS AND PORTS. 2 -POWERTRAIN - POOR STABILITY IN DRIVING AND SQUEAKY NOISES COMING FROM REAREND. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND WENT THROUGH FOUR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, FIRST TIME AT 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER ONLY. FORD REPLACED ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. PRESENTLY I AM RE-EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ALL DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND AND THIRD GEAR TO FINAL INOPERABILITY CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP DEAD WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 MUSTANG GT BULLITT THAT I BOUGHT IN JULY 2013. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS WHERE A SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN THE HEAD. THE MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY 11/23/2013. ALL I WAS DOING WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A NOISE COME FROM THE SPARK PLUG. TODAY, I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUG AGAIN, AND SO FAR IT IS RUNNING OKAY FOR NOW. BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO, I CHANGED THE SAME SPARK PLUG, THEN IT WORKED FINE, THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN YESTERDAY. SO, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IF IT DOES, I WON'T BE SURPRISED. *TR

THE NUMBER THREE (3) SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. *TR

FIRST INCIDENT: I WAS APPROACHING MY MAIL BOX TO STOP AND GET MY MAIL OUT, WHILE BRAKING INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT RIGHT PAST MY MAILBOX. I DROVE INTO MY STONE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN THOUGH I HAD STOPPED, THE TIRES WERE SPINNING SO FAST THEY MAD RUTS IN MY DRIVEWAY. EVEN SITTING THERE IN PARK, THE RPM NEEDLE WAS RACING UPWARD. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. NEXT DAY I WENT OUT, AND CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE GAS. SCARED TO DRIVE IT, I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER. THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND A HALF, NEVER HAPPENED FOR THEM, AND SAID UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHILE THEY HAVE IT, COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. (ALTHOUGH THEY DID MENTION A FEW POSSIBILITIES: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, LEAKAGE, COMPUTER) AS I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ON 8/9/13 FOR OTHER SERVICE, I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID ALSO UNLESS THE CAR DID IT WHILE IT WAS THERE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK IT OUT. SECOND INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, PROBABLY ABOUT 55-60 MPH, THE CAR ON ITS OWN SPED UP, THE RPM NEED SEEMED STUCK AT 3, EVEN THOUGH I WAS BREAKING THE CAR WASN'T SLOWING DOWN; AND JUST LIKE THAT, PROBABLY IN 30 SECONDS, IT RECOVERED AND RAN FINE. I WROTE A LETTER ON 9/6/13 TO FORD MOTOR CO EXPLAINING WHAT IS HAPPENING AND ASKING FOR THEIR HELP IN IDENTIFYING A SOLUTION. I RECEIVED A LETTER BACK FROM FORD MOTOR CO DATED 9/16/13, THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE AT ALL. *JS

WHILE IN DRIVE, WITH THE CAR STOPPED, THE CAR TRIES TO SURGE FORWARD BY ITSELF. YOU HAVE TO BE WEARY THAT YOU KEEP ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WILL BURST FORWARD.

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SLOW TO RETRACT. NOW IT WILL NOT RELEASE AT ALL. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX OR REPLACE AS A DEFECT. WILL CHARGE OVER $500 TO FIX. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AS THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 83K MILES. I THOUGHT SEAT BELTS WERE GUARANTEED FOR THE LIFE A VEHICLE! *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE HOOD SEPARATED AND FLEW OVER THE TOP OF THE CAR. INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. THE TOP PANEL FLEW OFF WHILE THE HOOD REMAINED LATCHED TO THE CAR. *TR

WE WERE GOING AROUND A CURVE ABOUT 45 MPH AND HEARD A POP LIKE SOMETHING HARD BROKE. DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME. WENT TO THE SHOP UP THE ROAD AND PULLED OVER THE PIT AND LOOK UNDER THE CAR, AFTER 10 OR 15 MIN SEEN WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CRACK ON THE BACK OF ONE OF THE FIVE SPOKES ON THE REAR RIM A BUDDY OF OURS SAID COME UP HERE AND LOOK ITS BROKE I COULD PULL FISHING LINE THROUGH IT, WENT UP AND TALKED ABOUT IT. JUST DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GET KILLED IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME. NO MARKS OR ANY REASON IT SHOULD HAVE BROKE. DO I NEED TO LET ANYONE LOOK AT THIS TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEM. THANKS SURPRISED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS JAMMED. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO KNOWN SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE MOTORCRAFT FUEL FILTER ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG CRACKED AT THE SEAM WHERE THE INLET NIPPLE IS ATTACHED TO THE BODY OF THE FILTER. GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE CRACK AND LEAKING ON THE GROUND. THE WYNN FILTER I PURCHASED TO REPLACE IT WITH USES A ONE PIECE FILTER BODY WHICH IS MUCH SAFER. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED THE FILTERS BREAKING AND LEAKING? *TR

THIS IS REGARDING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON FORD V8 ENGINES. MY INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG V8 CRACKED AND CAUSED ME TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT LEAKED COOLANT RAPIDLY. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED (IN WHICH FORD WAS HELD LIABLE) IN THE PAST YEARS AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. FORD HAS SINCE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT HONOR ANY REPAIRS AFTER MARCH 2006. HOWEVER, THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER. MY MUSTANG ONLY HAS 89K MILES AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A MAJOR REPAIR BILL OF $1,231. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY/ALL REPAIR COSTS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME REGARDING THIS WEAK ENGINEERING. *TR

THE FOURTH SPARK PLUG ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6L VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THIS RESULTED HEAVY LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FUEL FUMES TO COME OUT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGH-SPEED AND I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO SAFELY MAKE IT OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS ESTIMATED AT $2500. THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD 8-CYLINDER ENGINES FOR WHAT I GATHERED THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE THREADS ARE TOO THIN AROUND THE SPARK PLUG AND THE HEAT CAUSES THEM TO BLEW OUT - LITERALLY. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT; UNUSABLE. *TR

LESS THEN 2WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE A CHUNK OF THE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE . THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT BUT MAINTAINED 35 PSI. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG WITH FEDERAL SUPER STEELE TIRES, LINE SIZE 245/45 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES SPLIT ALONG THE SIDEWALL. WITHIN 4,000 MILES THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE TIRES EVERY TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED YET THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE TIRES FAILED AT LESS THEN 20,000 MILES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

WE HAVE HAD A 2002 FORD MUSTANG FOR ONE YEAR. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT COME OUT ALL THE WAY MAKING IT USELESS. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT. IT WAS FIXED FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. IT IS NOW UNUSABLE AGAIN. FROM MY SEARCH ON THIS ISSUE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A NEW ASSEMBLY FOR SOMETHING THAT OCCURS FREQUENTLY WITH SIMILAR CARS AND IS NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD. *TR

I HAVE GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG THAT KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE INSIDE AND SHREDDING THE TIRE. IN 3 YEARS I HAVE PURCHASED 4 TIRES AND HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT LAST NIGHT THAT SHREDS THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. I HAD JUST HAD THIS TIRE CHECKED ON THE 8TH OF APRIL AND THE TIRE WAS FINE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT WITH A 2-VALVE 4.6L ENGINE WITH ONLY 46K MILES. AROUND 1 APR 10 I STARTED HEARING A DISTINCT TICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. NOT BEING THAT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, I ASSUMED SOME LIFTERS NEEDED ADJUSTING; SO, I BRUSHED THE NOISE OFF. ON 10 APR 10 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN SOUNDS THAT PATTED LIKE A HARLEY RUNNING OUT OF GAS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM HOME; SO, I SPUTTERED THE REST OF THE WAY. AS I HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL, I CHECKED THE CODE AND IT READ THE #3 CYLINDER WAS MISS FIRING. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS. ONCE I FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET ALL THAT DONE, I REMOVED THE COIL FROM THE CYLINDER AND IT WAS SHREDDED WITH THE COIL DANGLING. I EXTRACTED THE SPARK PLUG WITH NO RESISTANCE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST SITTING IN THE HOLE. TO MY SURPRISE, IT WAS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUG THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. I TRIED TO PUT IN A NEW SPARK PLUG, BUT IT WOULD NOT TIGHTENED AT ALL. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN TRIED TO MAKE IT CROSS-THREAD, BUT IT WOULD NOT TAKE. WHEN I TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT THE SPARK PLUG, I SAW WHERE THE BOTTOM THREE THREADS WERE SMASHED FLAT AND THE METAL THAT YOU GAP WAS MASHED AGAINST THE ELECTRIC DIODE. I CALLED BOB MOORE FORD IN OKC AND THE SERVICE WRITER, GERRY, TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT EVENT. I ASKED HIM WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT AND HE RESPONDED IMPROPERLY TORQUED SPARK PLUGS. WHEN I TOLD HIM IT WAS THE FACTORY PLUG, HE SAID THEN HOT RODDING MUST HAVE CAUSED IT. I TOLD HIM ITS MY WIFE'S CAR AND THE CAR DOESN'T TAKE ANY ABUSE. I ASKED HOW MUCH BOB MOORE CHARGES TO DO A HELICOIL AND HE SAID $500. I LET HIM GO. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND GETTING THE CYLINDER RE-THREAD FOR WHOLE LOT LESS AND WHOLE LOT BETTER ATTITUDE. HOPEFULLY, IT HOLDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A DEER ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER WHEN THE SEAT BELTS BROKE FROM THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING, TORN LIGAMENTS TO THE SHOULDER AND ARMS AND BRUISING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

2002 MUSTANG SEATBELTS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, WILL NOT RETRACT, AND CAN NOT PULL OUT. THAT MEANS THAT IT CAN NOT BE USED. I HAVE TALKED TO MAY PEOPLE THAT HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MUSTANG. ANY INFO WOULD BE HELPFUL. *TR

SPARK PLUGS EJECTING OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. HAD ONE BLOW OUT 1 YEAR AGO AND NOW ANOTHER ON THE OTHER HEAD. USED HELI-COIL KIT TO REPAIR THE FIRST ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD. JUST THIS PAST OCTOBER IN 2009 THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AGAIN. GOT NEW HEAD INSTALLED IN JANUARY 2010. A WEEK LATER , JUST TODAY, ANOTHER SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE HEAD. *TR

-----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- SENT: 4/20/2009 10:39:26 PM SUBJECT: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAIN TOPIC: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES EMAIL QUESTIONS: DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I AM WRITING TO FORD BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. MY FORD MUSTANG'S SEATBELTS DO NOT AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR; THEY WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND HANG UP, I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING MESS WITH THEM SO THEY CAN BE USED. I HAVE OWNED FOUR OTHER MUSTANGS (FOX AND SN95 CARS) AND THREE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2001 MUSTANG COBRA WHICH ALSO HAS DEFECTIVE SEATBELTS. I PURCHASED MY CAR SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT, THE CAR HAD BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND BABIED AS I HAVE DONE ALSO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE FAULTY SEATBELTS IN MY MUSTANG AND MY FRIEND'S COBRA COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO AN OCCUPANT IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THIS PROBLEM IS OFTEN MENTIONED ON FORD MUSTANG FORUMS AND I HAVE QUESTIONED MY DEALER WHERE MY CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICE (MATHEWS FORD, IN NEWARK, OHIO). THIS PAST WINTER WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I HAD A DEER RUN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I PUSHED THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED MY GIRLFRIEND TO ALMOST HIT THE DASH BECAUSE HER SEATBELT DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. I AM ASKING THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPLACE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY FORD MUSTANG, BOTH SEATBELTS ARE FAULTY WITH THE PASSENGER BELT BEING THE WORSE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD FAULTY BELTS LIKE FORD MUSTANGS SEEM TO HAVE. I BELIEVE A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURE LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REMEDY THE SITUATION AND NOT ALLOW MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS TO RISK BODILY INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION ON MY SEATBELTS. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. *TR

THE ABS LIGHT ALWAYS GOES ON AFTER 15-29 MILES OF DRIVING, WHICH WAS VERIFIED BY GOODYEAR DEALER. THEY RECOMMENDED ME TO GO TO THE FORD DEALER BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SO I CAME TO THE QUICK LANE AT 11200 JAMES SWART CIRCLE, FAIRFAX, VA. THEY CALLED ME BACK IN 2 HOURS AND SAID THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH MY CAR AND COMPLETELY IGNORED A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM GOODYEAR THAT THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 12 MILES OF DRIVING. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL KEEP CHECKING, 2 DAYS PAST, NOBODY BOTHERED TO CALL ME. I THINK IT'S A NICE DENIAL STRATEGY: THEY FAIL TO DETECT WHAT IS WRONG AND THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR A PROBLEM AND DON'T HAVE TO FIX IT. OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT CONCERN OF THEIRS THAT MY MUSTANG OR EVERY MUSTANG I'VE DRIVEN ENGAGES TRACTION CONTROL EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TURN UP TO A LITTLE HILL ON A WET ROAD.... I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO MENTION SLIPPERY CONDITIONS DURING WINTER SEASON. THAT'S WHY I ALWAYS APPRECIATED THIS FEATURE, BUT NOW IT'S TURNING ITSELF OFF AND WON'T COME BACK ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS OFF FOR A WHILE. I'VE READ MULTIPLE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, BUT FORD CONVENIENTLY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS... THIS IS YOUR CAR AND YOU ARE STUCK WITH IT... I TAKE IT AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY COMPLETE FAILURE TO PROVIDE DRIVERS' SAFETY. DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN INCIDENT TO HAPPEN OR SOME PREVENTIVE MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. HE STATED THAT SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASED HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE WILL NOT HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED, HE WILL SELL OR TRADE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7400. UPDATED 5/17/2010 * CN UPDATED 06/17/10*JB

SEATBELT RETRACTORS DO NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE SAFETY BELTS. BELTS CONSTANTLY BECOME TWISTED AND WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY; OR THEY GET JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE SO IT CAN BE BUCKLED. *TR

I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR FRIDAY MORNING AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD 3 PULLEYS REPLACED ON IT AND IT WAS STILL SQUEAKING THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP STILL SQUEAKING I HAD 3 MECHANICS CHECK THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME WITH THE MILES THAT WAS ON MY CAR I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS COMING FROM MY CRANKSHAFT I DON'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR YET. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP WHEN BUCKLED OR RETRACT. SECOND PROBLEM. GASOLINE TANK HAS A BROKEN GASKET/SEAL THAT GOES FROM THE FILLER NECK TO THE GAS TANK. GAS TANK IS LEAKING GAS WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING. *TR

THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES ON MY 2002 GT MUSTANG HAS FADED SO BAD ITS AFFECTING THE LIGHTING YOU CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT IT MAKES THE LIGHTS REALLY DIM, LIKE SHINING A LIGHT THROUGH PAPER KIND OF AN IDEA. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS LOOKED INTO, THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS THIS IS AFFECTING. AND I THINK FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THESE AT THEIR EXPENSE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO DEAL WITH THIS. IT ONLY GET WORSE AS TIME GOES BY, MINE HAVE KEPT GETTING MORE FADED AS TIME GOES BY AND ITS ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENSES SO IT HAS TO BE A PROBLEM IN THEIR PLASTIC THEY MAKE THEM FROM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS ITS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG V6 THE AC CONDENSATION DRIPS TO MY MANIFOLD AND KEEPS CRACKING THE WELD. I HAVE TO GET IT REWELDED EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE GUY AT THE SHOP TELLS ME HE GETS AT LEAST 10 A MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RAINING, CRUISE CONTROL ON, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HIT TREE HEAD ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED COOLANT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND MAYBE A FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALSO, THE SPARK PLUGS SEPARATED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IN REFERENCE TO THE SPARK PLUGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

2002 FORD MUSTANG GT (4.6L V8) BLEW OUT # 2 SPARK PLUG AFTER 80,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IN A HELICOIL TO REPLACE THE STRIPPED THREADS CAUSED FROM THE BLOW OUT AND REPLACED THE OTHER SPARK PLUGS AND BOOTS. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD DOES NOT WARRANT THE HELICOIL REPAIR AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET A REPAIR THAT FORD WOULD BACK WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE HEAD. REPLACING THE HEAD WAS A RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE OPTION. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE A FIRE AND BURN A VEHICLE TO THE AXELS IN 12 MIN AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT IS ABSURD. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE HEADS WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLUSION AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR, MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR