2003 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE THROTTLE SEIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY FIRMLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR DEALER, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON US31 JUST NORTH OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN. I WAS GOING 70 MPH WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE CAR (2003 MERCURY SABLE) LOST DRIVE TRAIN POWER AND WAS SUDDENLY ONLY COASTING. I HAD TO PULL OF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALSO I HAD MY THREE ADULT AUTISTIC CHILDREN WITH ME, AND THEY ALL GOT EXTREMELY NERVOUS SITTING AT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AS THE PASSING CARS WERE MAKING OUR VEHICLE MOVE FROM THE AIR CURRENTS. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ONE OF THEM MIGHT TRY AND JUMP FROM THE CAR FROM PANIC. AS FOR THE CAR ITSELF, I THOUGHT MAYBE THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BROKE BUT WHEN I CHECKED IT WAS OKAY. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AND NOTHING... NO FORWARD OR REVERSE, NO MOVEMENT AT ALL. SO I CALLED MY FATHER WHO WAS FORTUNATELY THERE WITHIN HALF AN HOUR (OR WITH MY KIDS IT COULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY BAD SITUATION) AND HE RESCUED US AND I HAD A WRECKER TOW THE CAR HOME. I CALLED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO ALL TOLD ME IT IS A VERY COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE FORD TAURUS. THEY PRETTY MUCH ALL TOLD ME IT SHOULD BE REBUILT AS THE NEW PARTS ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE THE NEW PARTS ARE REPLACING PARTS FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. EVEN A MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THESE VEHICLES HAVE TRANNY TROUBLES. MY CAR HAS 157,000 MILES SO I GUESS I SHOULD FEEL LUCKY AFTER READING INTERNET POSTS OF MANY OF THESE CARS DOING TO SAME THING WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES. I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WITH THE TRANNY JUST QUITTING LIKE THAT IF SOMEONE HASN'T ALREADY. CANT IMAGINE BEING ON A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER IN EXTREME HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I SURE DON'T HAVE THE $1200 TO $3200 TO GET IT REPAIRED.. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS BAD TRANSMISSION. *TR

HEATER/AC FAN CONTINUOUSLY STOPS WORKING. I FIRST REPLACED THE MOTOR RESISTOR IN AUGUST 2012. IT WORKED FOR 2 WEEKS WHEN IT BROKE FOR THE 2ND TIME. I WENT TO FIX IT AGAIN, ONLY TO FIND OUT IT STOPS WORKING AGAIN AFTER 2 MORE WEEKS.IT IS NOW OCTOBER AND THE MOTOR RESISTOR BROKE 2X AND NOW THE MOTOR BLOWER IS COMPLETELY GONE. NO AC/HEATER. THE TEMPERATURE IN NY IN OCTOBER IS NOT COMPLIANT WITH NO HEATER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. BROKE 3XS IN A SPAN OF 6 WEEKS OR SO. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHILE I WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT I COULDN'T STOP. SOMETHING WAS GIVING MY CAR GAS AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP. EVER SINCE THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT MY RPM'S ARE HIGH AND MAKES A NOISE. I CALLED THE SHOP AND HAD MY IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE SAID WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN IN 3 OTHER TIMES AND HAD THE PART REPLACED JUST IN CASE IT WAS A FAULTY PART. NOW THE MECHANICS ARE BAFFLED AS AM I. I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THESE VEHICLES. I JUST TOOK IT IN AGAIN TODAY DECEMBER 6,2012 AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT'S GETTING WORSE TO WHERE I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE IT BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO BRAKE IT WON'T STOP. I CAN BE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND NOT TOUCH THE GAS AND MY CAR WILL GET UP TO 45MPH WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL OF THE SENSORS, THE LOWER INTAKE AND THE MASS FLOW DEVICE, BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD BECOME STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000. *TR

I WENT TO LEAVE FROM A LOCAL PARK ON A SATURDAY EVENING, BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME A TRICK HOW TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEY EVER SO SLIGHTLY AND THEN TRYING TO MOVE THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL. ONCE IN NEUTRAL I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A WEEK BY STARTING IN NEUTRAL, I WAS STOPPED ON THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY BY POLICE. I WAS INFORMED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY WORKING BRAKE LIGHTS. I DROVE HOME AND LOOKED ON THE INTERNET IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. WELL, THERE WAS A RECALL DONE IN 2004 (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ03008), BUT I WAS INFORMED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT MY VEHICLE BASED ON ITS VIN WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AND WAS INSTRUCTED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT ME ON THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY. I WAS INDEED CONTACTED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND INFORMED AGAIN, THAT BASED ON MY VIN, THAT I DID NOT QUALIFY AS A PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD IF MORE COMPLAINTS WERE MADE, THEN SOMETHING COULD POSSIBLY BE DONE. I TOLD THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HAVING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AS I HAD THE REPAIR DONE BASED ON THE RECALL INFORMATION FOR APPROXIMATELY $50. THE ISSUE WAS EXACTLY AS IT WAS DESCRIBED ON THE NHTSA'S WEBSITE, MOTORTREND AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S. THE REPAIR TOOK APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FUNCTIONING. MY CONCERN IS THAT FOR ALMOST A WEEK I DROVE WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS IN A VEHICLE WHERE I DRIVE AROUND WITH MY WIFE, A TODDLER, AND AN INFANT AND AT ANY POINT I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD, IT WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT DIMINISH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE FROM THIS DETECT. *TR

DRIVING ON I-25 NORTHBOUND, AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. WENT FROM 50 TO 65...STEPPED ON BRAKE, BRAKES SLOWED/STOPPED THE ACCELERATION...PULLED OFF AT THE FIRST EXIT RAMP. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, FOR ANYTHING NOT CORRECT...NOTHING VISUALLY DETECTED. DID THIS ONE MORE TIME...3 DAYS LATER. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED SINCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, COIL SPRING BROKE IN TWO PLACES AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE (SPRING WENT THROUGH THE TIRE SIDEWALL). IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE CAR WOULD HAVE STEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND GONE OFF THE ROAD. OUR 2000 SABLE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE 2003 SABLE DID NOT. SEARCHING THE WEB, SPRING FAILURE AND PUNCTURE OF A FRONT TIRE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND LET UP ON THE GAS WHEN I REALIZED I WAS IN A 30 MPH ZONE. I DROVE ABOUT FIVE MORE BLOCKS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR NEVER SLOWED UNTIL I APPLIED THE BRAKES DUE TO COMING TO A STOPLIGHT. THIS WAS ON LEVEL GROUND. SINCE THEN THE CAR WILL NOT SLOW DOWN WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 5 MILES AT ONE TIME AT 60 MPH WITHOUT THE CAR SLOWING TO LESS THAN 58 MPH. WHEN I TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR TO HELP ME SLOW DOWN THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THEN VERY SLOWLY IDLES DOWN. OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE WILL SLOW AND THEN DIE WHEN SITTING AT STOP LIGHTS. MY BRAKES WERE WORKED ON 3 MONTHS AGO BUT ARE FEELING LIKE THEY NEED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO SHAKING WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE CAR. *TT

THIRD TIME HERE WE GO!!! THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THIS MERCURY SABLE PIECE OF JUNK! PLEASE SEE NHTSA REPORT ID # 10333941 THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A FORD / MERCURY DEALERSHIP. RECEIVED A 12/12 WARRANTY (12K MILES OR 12 MONTHS) IT FAILED AGAIN AT ELEVEN MONTHS AND 12100 MILES 100 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY SO THEY TOLD ME TOUGH LUCK BUDDY.. I HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN SAME DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO FILE A REPORT I FIGURED ITS A WASTE OF TIME ANY HOW. AND NOW HERE WE GO AGAIN 3RD TIME. THAT FORD CAN MANUFACTURE AND SELL JUNK AND GET AWAY WITH IT IS CRIMINAL. I GUESS BUYER BEWARE DON'T BY FORD AND ESPECIALLY DO NOT BUY FORD FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN IT COMES TO FORD... I WOULD NEVER ASCRIBE TO MALICE THAT WHICH IS ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED BY INCOMPETENCE WHEN IT COMES TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ... DOES IT MATTER WHAT THE JUDGE DRIVES ? HAVE YOU BEEN DRIVEN BY FORD LATELY. *TR

BACKING UP LESS THAN 5 MPH--ALL AT ONCE HEARD A POP, THE CAR STOPPED MOVING AND WHOOSHING AIR. GOT OUT OF CAR-- DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED AT HOME-- NOT WHEN MY STUDENT DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR MORE. OVER 2,400 CASES REPORTED AS OF JUNE 30, 2011-- YET, NO ONE HAS DIED OR BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED YET-- SO NO RECALL. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD-- IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. THE SPRING WEDGED INTO THE TIRE AND STOPPED THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR-- NO WAY WOULD I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER AND GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I HOPE THEY REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED A SPEED OF 50 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE THROTTLE CASE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 192,431.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE TREMENDOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

COIL SPRING BROKE. IT ALMOST PUNCTURED THE TIRE...UPDATED 01/25/12 *BF

OUTSIDE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF NEED NEW STOP LAMP AND AIR FILTER BOTH PARTS WERE RECALLED IN 2004 AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NEW FOR FREE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, CUTTING AND RUINING TIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE CAP ABOVE THE CABIN FILTER, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO FAIL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WAS GOING MUCH FASTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. I WAS GOING UP A HILL SO I MOVED BOTH OF MY FEET AWAY FROM THE PEDALS AND REALIZED THAT IT WAS STILL GAINING SPEED. I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKES AND MANAGED TO BRING IT MOSTLY TO A STOP ABOUT 80 FEET FROM AN INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER CAR. I PUT IT INTO PARK, BUT STILL HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN HARD IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING FORWARD. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT "PEELED OUT" AND WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD, TURNED AT THE INTERSECTION THEN INTO A VACANT PARKING LOT. I PUT IT IN PARK IMMEDIATELY AND SHUT IT OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO 5000 RPM, SO I SHUT IT OFF AGAIN AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS DEFINITELY ACCELERATING WITHOUT ANY INPUT ON MY PART. THE BRAKES WERE ABLE TO SLOW IT DOWN, BUT ONLY WITH FULL PRESSURE AND IT TOOK MUCH FURTHER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE TO COME TO A STOP. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO PRIOR YEAR VEHICLES BEING RECALLED FOR THIS FAILURE, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE 2003 MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,600. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/26/11

MERCURY SABLE WAGON 2003 LEAKS INTO PASSENGER CABIN WHEN IT RAINS. THIS IS A PROBLEM NUMEROUS OTHER SABLE AND TAURUS OWNERS HAVE HAD. CABIN FLOODS WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

THE BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE WAS SITTING IN A POOL OF WATER, RUINING THE MOTOR. CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN BY FORD MOTOR CO. WATER GETS INTO THIS AREA BY IMPROPER DESIGN, ALLOWS WATER TO REACH AREA WHEN THE WIPER COWL EVENTUALLY WARPS, OR WHEN THE A/C DRAIN CLOGS OR WATER LEAKING THRU THE FIREWALL. *TR

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE RESULTED IN A PUNCTURED TIRE. SAME AS EA08-018. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE HINGE FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,950.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COIL SPRING FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO FILED A COMPLAINT BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. CAME TO A STOP AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR STARTED OUT OK AND THE MPH REACHED 15MPH AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD T HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME. SPOKE WITH SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MECHANICS AND EVERYONE OF THEM SAID THAT THEY WERE ALMOST 100% THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER (INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION). AND COULD ALSO BE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WONT GO INTO GEAR. YOU CAN MOVE THE GEARSHIFT FLAWLESSLY THRU THE GEARS AND NOTHING THE CAR WONT MOVE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY EVERY FORD MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THAT YEAR OF CAR AND THAT TRANSMISSION (AX4N). THEN TO FIND OUT THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND NO RECALL! THEN I FIND OUT TODAY THAT FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS (WHICH ARE THE SAME TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE IN THE SABLE AND IN THE FORD TAURUS, THE MODEL # TRANNY AX4N). IF FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL ON THE WINDSTAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE SABLE AND TAURUS WHY CANT THEY ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL OF THEM? THE COST TO FIX MY SABLE IS ANYWHERE FROM $1300 TO $1800 AND THAT'S IF ITS ONLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND NOT THE WHOLE TRANNY WHICH WOULD COST IN THE $3500 TO $4500 RANGE. AND BOTH QUOTES ARE COMING FROM FORD MECHANICS WHO HAVE DONE NUMEROUS SABLES ETC WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEFINITELY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED!!!! APPARENTLY THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND I FEEL ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHERS THAT FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL AND FIX IT FOR FREE!!!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY RECALL THE WINDSTAR FOR THE SAME TRANNY AND SAME PROBLEM! THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT. BECAUSE AS OF RIGHT NOW I SIT WITHOUT A CAR. I HAVE HAD OTHER FORD CARS AND NEVER A PROBLEM THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I PURCHASED THIS ONE. IF I WOULD ONLY KNEW..... *TR

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE.

2003 MERCURY SABLE WAGON -- THE SEAT BELTS IN THE MIDDLE SEAT OF THE CAR NO LONGER RETRACT. THEY HANG LOOSELY AND WOULD CERTAINLY BE A GRAVE DANGER TO ANY PASSENGER SHOULD THE CAR EXPERIENCE A CRASH OR ROLLOVER. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ALREADY, BUT NOW THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE RETRACTION MECHANISM. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN MERCURY SABLES AND TAURUS WAGONS FROM WHAT I'VE READ. HEY FORD, HOPE YOU GIVE A [XXX] ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMERS ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE LEFT FRONT SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE AS THE CAR WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF A GARAGE. ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V332000, A PROTECTIVE DEVICE WAS TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE TIRE FROM BEING PUNCTURED BECAUSE OF SPRING FRACTURE AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED ON THE SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO FIX MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE LATEST DATE APPLIED TO THE RECALL AS NOTED ABOVE. SINCE, THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS EXPLAINED IN THE RECALL DESCRIPTION; I CLAIM THE MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO COVER THE REPAIRS BASED ON PAST HISTORY. PLUS, THE "FIX" WAS NOT INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE THEREFORE EXPOSING THE TIRE TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BEING PUNCTURED BY THE BROKEN SPRING.

2003 SABLE WAGON WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. WHEN WE WENT TO MOVE IT AGAIN A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END, SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING SCRAPING ON THE DRIVEWAY OR CAUGHT IN WHEEL WELL. CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PARKED. WHEN IT WAS LIGHT AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, A PIECE OF THE FRONT END COIL SPRING WAS FOUND LYING UNDER THE CAR, APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT LONG THAT IS SHEARED OFF FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING. NO VISIBLE RUST ON THE PART, JUST APPARENTLY A DEFECTIVE PART THAT BROKE. NOW THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE REST OF THE SPRING IS EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE, WEDGED BETWEEN IT AND THE WHEEL WELL. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE CAR EVEN TO ALLOW FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET UNDER IT. THE TIRES WERE ALSO JUST PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AND THIS CERTAINLY HAS RUINED AT LEAST ONE OF THEM. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 1 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE CAUSING IT TO BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE COIL SPRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, WHICH FORCED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, BACK, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 01/31/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE GEAR WOULD SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE NEUTRAL GEAR SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE WIRING. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PLEASE SEE YOUR REPORT PE09033. MY MERCURY SABLE USES THE SAME TRANSMISSION. AND THIS WEEK END ME AND MY FAMILY ALMOST GOT KILLED WHEN ON I-75 IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS ON BOTH SIDES MY TRANSMISSION DIED WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 40000 MILES ON IT AND I CHANGED THE FLUID AS RECOMMENDED AT 30000 MILES. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT 40000 MILES! THE MECHANIC SAID TO ME YOU HAD NO WARNING DID YOU! I AGREED. HE SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD PROBABLY FAILED! THE HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2200 FOR PARTS AND ABOUT $1100 FOR LABOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $3300. I AM AN ENGINEER SO I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT ENGINES AND MECHANICAL APPLICATIONS. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I BELIEVE AFTER SOME RESEARCH THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FAULT IN THEM PARTLY FROM TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE AND PARTLY FROM OVER HEATING BECAUSE OF POOR CIRCULATION AND HEAT DISSIPATION DESIGN. I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA ABOUT THE ABOVE AND JOIN OR START A CAMPAIGN FOR A RECALL ABOUT THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT AT SOME POINT I WILL HAVE SOME RECOURSE WITH FORD. SO WITH SOME ANTICIPATION I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST SOME HELP OR A RESPONSE WITH TO MY REQUEST. [XXX] *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD A LOUD WOOSHING NOISE. I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE AND SAW MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. I TRIED TO REMOVE IT BUT COULDN'T GET A JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS SO LOW TO THE GROUND. I FINALLY MANAGED TO JACK UP THE CAR AND HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE REMOVING THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I REALIZED THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND LODGED ABOUT 3 INCHES INTO MY TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $600.51 IN ADDITION TO THE COST FOR TOWING AND TWO NEW TIRES. I HAD JUST DRIVEN 40 MILES ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT 70 MPH AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THIS HAPPENED EN ROUTE. *TR

COMPLAINT OR INQUIRY RECEIVED VIA EMAIL, INTERNET BY THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION *TGW 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED. *JB

MY 2003 SABLE SUFFERED A FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FRACTURE THAT DESTROYED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO A FENCE POST WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. THE COIL SPRING THAT SLICED INTO THE TIRE WAS PINPOINT SHARP, AS WAS THE SMALLER PORTION OF THE SPRING THAT FELL OFF THE CAR. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS DESTROYED, THE STRUT AN SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FENCE POST DAMAGED THE LEFT DOOR OF THE CAR. IF THIS FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHREDDED TO PIECES AND THE CAR WOULD BE SENT OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER 4 DAYS AFTER THE FRONT SPRING FAILURE AND FOUND TO HAVE CORROSION ON THE REAR SPRINGS WITH THE PAINT OR ENAMEL ON THE SPRING COMPROMISED CAUSING RUSTING ON THE SPRINGS AN POSSIBLY CAUSING A FUTURE FAILURE OF THE SPRINGS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS EXITING A DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT LOCATE THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE UPON FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CUT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,068.

I OWN A 2003 MERCURY SABLE, AND APPROXIMATELY BACK IN 2010 I EXPERIENCED MY FIRST FAILURE OF THE BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR. THEN ONE MONTH LATER I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER FAILURE, BEING UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACED IT, ANOTHER MONTH GOES BY AND YET ANOTHER FAILURE, TAKE IT BACK AND WE TRIED TO FIGURE WHY IT WAS FAILING. WE THEN COME UP MY CAR WAS MAINLY GARAGED, AND I RARELY DRIVE IN THE RAIN. ON THE THREE DIFFERENT DATES OF FAILURE WE WERE EXPERIENCING HEAVY RAIN THAT I HAD DRIVEN IN AND UPON THE NEXT DAY OR TWO GOING OUT IT FAILED. THEY THEN PUT SILICONE AROUND AND NEAR EVERYTHING. NOW IT IS MAY OF 2012 AND I EXPERIENCE ANOTHER FAILURE, DOING SOME OF MY OWN INVESTIGATING I AM SHOCKED TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR 2001 - 2004 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE CARS. AND THERE IS A TSB 04-15-3 ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. TO ME THIS IS A VERY POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD SINCE WHEN THE WATER COMES INTO CONTACT WITH LIVE ELECTRICITY TO CAUSE THE BLOW OUT CAN INDEED CAUSE A SHOCK OR EVEN DAMAGE THE BLOWER MOTOR. AND IF A PERSON FOOT HAPPENS TO BE IN THE AREA WHEN THE SHORT HAPPENS THEY COULD GET AN UNEXPECTED JOLT AND GET HURT. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL EVENT FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, NOTE* A DRIVEWAY WITH NOT EVEN A CRACK IN IT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. UPON REMOVING TIRE, PART OF THE SPRING FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE REMAINING SPRING WAS FOUND TO HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A JACK, A PIECE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS ON THE GROUND, AND THE TIRE WAS CUT ALL THE WAY AROUND. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP; SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 165,000. UPDATED 4/23/10 *CN THE SPRING DID NOT HAVE ANY VISIBLE CORROSION, IT JUST BROKE IN HALF. UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB

2003 MERCURY SABLE LS 4 DOOR SEDAN FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED FRONT WINTER TREAD TIRE WHILE SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. LOCATION PENNSYLVANIA DURING WINTER. *TR

2003 MERCURY SABLE CATASTROPHIC COIL SPRING FAILURE. *TR

FORD SPRINGS. ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING ON MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE GS SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. (CAR HAS 70K MILES). THERE IS CORROSION ON THE COIL BUT ONLY WERE IT FAILED. I HAVE SAVED THE PIECE OF COIL THAT WAS IN MY TIRE. MY BROTHER IS A MECHANIC AND TOLD ME THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THE SPRING. HE DID THE WORK ON THE CAR BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE AT WORK ON MONDAY MORNING BUT TOLD ME TO CHECK IT OUT. I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE BUT NONE FOR MY MODEL YEAR. I CONTACTED FORD AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT (#0289562315). THE GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE REAR SPRINGS TOO. I FREQUENTLY DRIVE WITH CHILDREN IN MY CAR. AT THE VERY LEAST, I EXPECTED THEM TO OFFER TO INSPECT THE REAR SPRINGS BUT THEY OFFERED NOTHING. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS WHEN THEY ARE AWARE THAT A PART IS FAILING. I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE 2 FRONT STRUTS, BUY 2 NEW TIRES (MINE WERE DISCONTINUED) AND PAY FOR A FRONT-END ALIGNMENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY SABLE WITH 19K MILES ON IT. WE HAD HEAVY RAINS TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING, FOLLOWED BY SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. THURSDAY MORNING, (12-10-09) THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATING/AC SYSTEM WOULD ONLY WORK ON IT'S HIGHEST SETTING, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. A FEW TIMES THROUGHOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, MY WIFE AND I THOUGHT WE HEARD WATER RUSHING AROUND SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AREA. I READ OVER 150 COMPLAINTS ON TOPIX.COM FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS OF BOTH SABLES AND TAURUS'. IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY SEVERAL FOLKS THAT PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR/RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IS CAUSED BY WATER ENTERING THE BLOWER HOUSING ITSELF. I HAVE READ THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT SINCE WINTER IS UPON US, A POSSIBLE UNSAFE CONDITION COULD ARISE SHOULD THE BLOWER MOTOR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY, THUS PREVENTING THE WINDOWS FROM DEFROSTING. ADDITIONALLY, I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME BY FORD. *TR

2003 MERCURY SABLE WITH THE FIRST 5 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE NORTHEAST. THE CAR IS NOW IN TAMPA FLORIDA. AT THANKSGIVING ONE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, PUNCTURING A TIRE...FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. AS A RESULT BOTH FRONT COILS AND SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A TIRE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PREVIOUS 2 YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE NORTHERN STATES(WINTER SALT LEADS TO THIS PROBLEM). *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY SABLE WITH A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGED AND RELEASED A RECALL FOR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V106000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ03008) HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST IN THE MATTER UNTIL I URGED THEM THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AT NO COST TO ME. AFTER A LONG DISCUSSION THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT ONLY AFTER I PAID A DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE FEE TO RULE OUT ANY OTHER CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. AS IT IS NOW THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK, AND WHEN IT IS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT AT BEST. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY AS A RESULT OF FORD'S NEGLECT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IS THERE ANYTHING THE NHTSA ODI CAN DO TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE? *TR THANK YOU, SCOTT RITTER