2002 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

I OWN A 2002 TAURUS WITH 40000 MILES AND TWICE KNOW I'VE HAD WORK DONE ON MY BLOWER UNIT. THE FIRST TIME I LOST ALL SETTINGS EXCEPT HIGH. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A BAD RESISTOR AND REPLACED THE RESISTOR. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE BLOWER UNIT. HE WILL PUT IN A MODIFICATION AND REPLACED THE BLOWER UNIT. A WEEK LATER WE HAD BAD RAIN IN NEW ENGLAND AND THERE WAS AN INCH OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR WILL BE GOING IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING MODULATOR FAILED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 03/04 WHO DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE MODULATOR IS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF THE FIREWALL WHICH CAUSES IT TO HEAT UP AND COOL DOWN WITH THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT ENGINE VIBRATIONS DAMAGED THE MODULATOR, RESULTING IN POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON 07/25/06 WHO OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V087000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS LISTED ON THE RECALL, IN WHICH THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS RETAINING WATER AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

INTERIOR TIRES SEPARATED. *PH THE WINDOWS MADE A NOISE WHEN GOING UP, THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE REGULATOR. *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELT UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AUTOMATICALLY, DECREASING SPEED AND INCREASING RPM'S SIGNIFICANTLY. FOR REMAINDER OF TRIP, VEHICLE COULD NOT ACCELERATE CONSISTENTLY AND COULD NOT HOLD A CONSTANT SPEED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT A SOLENOID HAD FAILED AND REPLACEMENT COST ~$700. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING DRIVER GOT OUT TO WIPE OFF THE WINDOWS AND TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED TO REVERSE. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, AND WAS RUN OVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED LEG, CHEST, AND ARM INJURIES. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A BOAT TRAILER. *AK A FRIEND OF THE CONSUMER'S TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. *NM

THE BRAKING LIGHTS OF MY FORD TAURUS 2002 SE WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FOUND THAT FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ON 2000 AND 2001 TAURUS, BUT NOT 2002 MODEL. THIS IS UNFAIR SINCE FORD DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL. *LA

BRAKE FAILURE UNDER WET/ DRIZZLY ROAD CONDITION.CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL AND WILL NOT STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WITH THE MOST RECENT ON 01-09-04.*AK

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AT ALL TO SECURE THE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN NOV 01. I NOTICED A STALE SMELL AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED A FILTER. TWO DAYS LATER THE SMELL WAS BACK. THIS MONTH,AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, THERE WAS 1 1/2 INCHES OF WATER ON MY PASSENGER FLOOR AND WATER IN MY HEATER BLOWER WHICH WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES KILLED MY BLOWER ON ALL POSITIONS BUT HIGH. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCT 01 AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY NOT THE WINDSHIELD PUT A DESIGN FLAW AND THEY HAD A KIT THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD PUT A NEW BLOWER IN. I INFORMED THEM THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO PAY ANYTHING FOR THIS THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT THE REP. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND IN THE MEANTIME CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT PAYING FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. I TALKED WITH GLORIA AND SHE TOOK ALL THE INFORMATION AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD ADVISE THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO THROW IN A CARPET SHAMPOO AND DEORDORIZER TREATMENT. WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP I WAS CHARGED $36.66 FOR A CONSUMER CO-PAY AND I HAD TO PAY IT OR I COULD NOT HAVE MY CAR. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SKIDDED UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR PROPERLY. HARD TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO GEAR AND MAKES CLUNK NOISE. EXHAUST RATTLE/VIBRATION/NOISE.

2002 FORD TAURUS. FRONT END VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED ONCE. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *LA

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND IMPACTED SEVERAL TREES BEFORE COMING TO FINAL REST. *AK *NM

VEHICLE TIRES SHOWING SIGNS OF DRY ROT. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOUND A CRACK IN THE TIRE TREAD. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE TIRES HAD SIGNS OF DRY ROT AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TIRE HAD CRACKS AROUND IT. FORD SHOWED NO SIGN OF CONCERN. *SCC *JB

DRIVING ON HIGH WAY 20 IN CHEROKEE COUNTY GA A CAR RAN A RED LIGHT HITTING ME HEAD ON GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MYSELF GOING 45-50 MPH LUCKILY I DID NOT SUFFER MAJOR BODILY INJURY (WHIPLASH AND LOTS OF BRUISES). MY QUESTION IS SHOULD AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED? AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING ME TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL. I WAS DRIVING A 2002 FORD TAURUS LS. *LA

WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER MADE A U-TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY SEAT BELT. *SCC *JB

THE MANUAL FOR THE VEHICLE DIDN'T EXPLAIN HOW TO INSTALL A REAR FACING INFANT SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. *AK THE DRIVER ALSO INDICATED THAT ALL THE REAR SEAT FOLDED FORWARD AND IT APPEARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE WITH REAR FACING CHILD SEAT (THE DRIVER ISN'T THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS A GARAGE LOANER). *PH *NLM

2002 FORD TAURUS CANNOT WITHSTAND A 2 MI PER HR "CRASH" INTO A POLL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BUMPER. *AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT RACK AND PINION PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND SHE HAD TO TELL THEM WHAT TO LOOK FOR BECAUSE OF PAST EXPIRIENCE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 15000 MILES. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WILL MAKE RECORD OF IT.*AK

I BOUGHT WHAT I THOUGHT WERE 4 BRAND NEW GOODYEAR AQUATRED TIRES FROM GRAHAM TIRE HERE IN GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA... I GOT 3 TIRES DOT...SERIAL NUMBER....MKX83MHR2901 AND 1 TIRE DOT...SERIAL NUMBER....MKX83MHR2402 THE 2402 TIRE RUNS HOT, AND IN MY OPINION IS UNSAFE. I SEE THE DOT...MKX CODE IS FOR RE TIRE KERSHAW, SOUTH CAROLINA...AND ITS LISTED UNDER RE-TREADS. WAS I SOLD FOUR RE-TREAD TIRES....AS FOUR NEW TIRES? IF SO I HAVE BEEN CHEATED. PLEASE REPLY...THANK YOU. *AK

2002 FORD TAURUS TIRE FAILURE AT ABOUT 17,993 MILES WITH A 80,000 MILE LIFE: LEFT REAR, CONTINENTAL TOURING, P215/60R16, 94T. ON INSPECTION, NO INDICATION THAT I RAN OVER ANYTHING. THE TIRE FAILED AROUND THE RIM SECTION.*AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL 2003 FOR THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SCRATCHED,D CROOKED, LEAKED WATER AND THE CLIPS FELL OFF. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER, PECHELES FORD WASHINGTON NORTH CAROLINA. SERVICE DIRECTOR BILL HOWARD. 252 946 9104. *PH

NO PARTS AVAILABLE! THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD; RECALL NUMBER IS 03C03. IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS. TOM ADDIS, LAKE CITY FORD HWY 95, COEUR D'ALENE IDAHO 83814. 208 664 9211 SERVICE MANAGER IS JOSH. *PH

THE BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2002 FORD TAURUS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FORD DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG SINCE THE BLOWER WORKED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. WHEN IT HAPPEND AGAIN THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A BAD "MOTOR. *AK RESISTOR" AND REPLACED IT. NOW AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR 3 DAYS IN THE DRIVE WAY THE BLOWER MOTOR QUIT AGAIN. THE DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WITHOUT THE BLOWER NEITHER THE A/C NOR THE HEATER WILL WORK AND DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP CREATING AND UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK

SINCE I BOUGHT MY FORD IN JULY 2003 I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY WINDSHIELD BEING DEFECTIVE, THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF HAS LITTLE CHIPS IN IT (A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE GLASS) AND I'VE ALWAYS COMPLAINED TO MY FORD DEALER ABOUT HIGHWAY NOISE. 9 YEARS LATER THE "NOISE" HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I'M AFRAID THAT IF I HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH THAT MY WINDSHIELD WILL FALL OUT! ALSO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAD TO STUFF TISSUES TO REDUCE THE RATTLING OF MY WINDSHIELD. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON RECALLS FOR MY CAR I'VE FOUND ONE RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING ALL THESE YEARS. PLEASE TELL ME THAT I CAN STILL HAVE MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED. IT'S COMING TO THE POINT THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. FORD RECALL NUMBER 03C03, DATED MARCH 03, 2003 FROM NHTSA. THESE RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT IN MARCH ON 2003, I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM FORD IN JULY 2003! . THE WEBSITE THAT I HAD FOUND THIS INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/DOCUMENTLIST.XHTML?DOCID=03V087&DOCTYPE=RCL *JS

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, THE VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. *AK *JB *NLM

STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR...11 O'CLOCK PDOF.. HIGH SPEED...DRIVERSIDE PRETENSIONER FIRED, BUT NO AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FIRED, BUT NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE.

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER DEFECTIVE ON VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART AND/OR INSTALLATION, SINCE THIS PART SHOULD GENERALLY LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT, AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG CAME OUT. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH.*AK

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED FOR 8 HOURS WHEN A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER VIEWED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE INSURANCE AND FIRE INVESTIGATORS THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *SCC *JB

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP VEHICLE JERKED AS IF IT WAS REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK

AUTO: FORD TAURUS 2002 WITH THE ("FFE") "FUEL FLEX ENGINE" INSTALLED PROBLEM: CAR EXPERIENCES "CLASSIC MISS UNDER LOAD" OR "HESITATION" AT CONSTANT SPEED WITH A LOW THROTTLE ANGLE ON THE GAS PETAL BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WHILE IN EITHER "OVER DRIVE OR DRIVE". MOST PRONOUNCED IN CRUISE CONTROL BETWEEN 20-50 MPH WITH A/C OFF. REPAIR EFFORT: AFTER (4) REPAIR CYCLES WITHIN LOCAL DEALER'S SHOP, THE LAST WITH FORD FIELD ENGINEERING PRESENT, HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM TO BE ISOLATED TO THE "EXHAUST GAS RECYCLING VALVE". SINCE THE "FFE" ENGINE IS DESIGN TO WORK WITH BOTH ETHANOL AND STANDARD GASOLINE, IT IS BELIEVED THE OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLE OF THE EGR VALVE IS INCORRECT FOR USE WITH STANDARD GASOLINE. THE FOURTH AND FINAL REPAIR REPORT STATES EGR IS THE CAUSE OF THE AUTO PERFORMANCE PROBLEM. THE OWNER FIRMLY BELIEVES THIS EGR PROBLEM IS ALSO THE CAUSE OF PERIODIC MOTION FELT WITHIN THE CAR, WHICH MAY CAUSE FEELINGS OF "NAUSEA" POSSIBLY DUE TO "MOTION SICKNESS" TO THE DRIVER AND ANY OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR. DEALER MECHANICS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REPEATING THE PERFORMANCE PROBLEM DURING TEST DRIVES AND CAN STOP PROBLEM BY DISCONNECTING OF PORTION OF ERG SYSTEM. FORD FIELD ENGINEERING FINAL DECISION ON REPAIR: "NO REPAIR NECESSARY, THIS EFFECT IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE". AUTO OWNER IS NOW USING "DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD" WITHIN FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. OWNER BELIEVES THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM FALLS UNDER "DEFECTIVE PRODUCT" STATUTE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY CAR STALLED. THE CAR BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED AND SHAKE PROFOUNDLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND STILL NO INCREASE IN SPEED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE THE CAR INCREASED TO 40 MPH AND THEN CONTINUED TO DECREASE IN SPEED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WERE MY CAR WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CAR DID START AND ACCELERATED AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED.*JB

I HAD NOTICED A FUNNY SMELL IN MY CAR. MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED TO LOOK AND SEE IF WE COULD FIGURE WHAT THE SMELL WAS. WE LIFTED UP THE SPARE TIRE PIECE IN THE TRUNK BECAUSE IT SMELLED REALLY BAD IN THE TRUNK AND FOUND THE PIECE WAS WET AND HAD VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE. THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF MOLD GROWING ON THE PIECE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND A WATER LEAK FROM BEHIND THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MOLD WAS CLEANED OFF. NOW THE DEALER WILL NOT PUT IT IN WRITING THAT THERE WAS ANY MOLD IN THE TRUNK. I HAVE CONTACTED MANAGERS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AT THE CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER. I CAN NOT GET WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THERE WAS MOLD IN MY VEHICLE. *JB

THE SEAM ON OUR GAS TANK HAD SPLIT, CAUSING IT TO FLOW INTO THE OUTER GAS COMPARTMENT & CORRODED THROUGH. WE HADN'T HIT ANYTHING AND EVEN IF WE DID IT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. *NLM

WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN RAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

THE DEALERSHIP HASN'T ORDERED THE PARTS FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL 03 V 087 000. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A MONTH. *NLM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT WHEN THE DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. SCC

SEPT 18, 2001 WE PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD TAURUS. IN ONE DAY RADIATOR HOSE POPPED OFF. THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE FIRS REPAIR THE HOSE POPPED OFF AGAIN. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ON 10-29-01 THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A HISS NOISE AND SMOKE WOULD COME FROM THE FRONT END WHEN IT WAS PARKED OR TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DIRKS MOTORS. THEY ASKED IF THE COULD REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN AND WE SAID NO. WE LEFT THE CAR AND THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD LET US KNOW BUT WE DID NOT HEAR NOTHING FROM THEM, WHEN WE WOULD CALL TO ASK THEM WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THEY DID NOT KNOW AT ALL. ON 11-5-01 THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US AND WITH LEAVING THE SERVICE CENTER AND NOT BEING LESS THEN 20 MILES FROM AKRON, IOWA THE CAR GOT HOT AND STARTED TO SMOKE AND I CALLED DIRKS SERVICE CENTER ON MY CELL PHONE AND TOLD THEM I WAS BRING IT BACK AND THIS TIME I WANTED THE CAR REPLACED NO QUESTIONS.. BUT THE CAR WAS TAKING BACK AND THEY LOOKED OVER IT AND THEY DID NOT CALL US AT ALL WHILE IT WAS IN SERVICE, WE CALLED EVERYDAY TO SEE IF THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THE FUNNY THING ABOUT IT WAS THE CAR WAS AT DIRKS MOTOR INC FROM 11-5-01 TO 11-16-01 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG. ON 11-16-01 THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 4TH TIME THIS CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND IT WAS GETTING OLD.. ON 12-27-02 THE CAR STARTED THE HISSING NOISE AND SHORT CUTS ON AND THE CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AND THAT WAS IT.. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AT 1-800-392-3673. WHILE TALKING WITH THE CALL CENTER THEY CALLED DIRKS SERVICE CENTER AND EDU'D THEM TO HAVE THE CD PLAYER REPLACED AND LOOK AT THE ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE MORE THEN 3 TO 4 TIMES.. WE WANTED THE CAR REPLACED.... WE REC'D A CALL BACK FROM FORDS CALL CENTER (NATALIE) AND SHE EDU'D TO ME THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER A NEW CD PLAYER AND HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THE CAR REPLACED. STEVE IRWIN AFITCHBOY1@IW.NET P# (605) 761-0268

THE WHEEL HUB RETAINER WAS DEFECTIVE ON THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL. WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR APPROX. 100 MILES, GAS WAS LOW, SO STOPPED TO REFILL. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED, THE CAR HESITATED THEN SOUNDED CHOKED LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS. REVVED CAR TO TRY TO 'CLEAR' SYSTEM. PROBLEM CONTINUED, AT WORST WHEN IDLING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED FORD DEALER. WRECKER DRIVER CAME OUT, REVVED CAR A FEW MORE TIMES (APPROX. 3000 RPM) SMALL BACKFIRE OUT OF MUFFLER EACH TIME. PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. WRECKER DRIVER BLAMED 'BAFFLES' IN MUFFLER? DROVE CAR ANOTHER 200 MILES HOME. THREE DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING A BIT, PARKED FOR SHORT TIME THEN RESTARTED CAR, SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRED.

CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER PASSING A CAR, MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT DISENGAGE AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE ACCELLERATED TO SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CARE SLOWED FROM 80 MPH TO 60 MPH. AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKES WITH AS MUCH FORCE AS POSSIBLE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED DESPITE THE CONTINUED ACCELERATION. AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELLERATING I CHECKED AND FOUND NO PEDAL OBSTRUCTION AND THE CAR WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTRAL MODE.

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*TS ALSO THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN CONSUMER, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES. *JB *NLM