1996 Ford Econoline

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Defect. THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS MAY NOT HOLD THE VEHICLES ON A 20% GRADE WITH FOOT PEDAL EFFORTS OF 125 POUNDS OR LESS. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Risk. THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AFTER BEING PARKED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS OR EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY DOOR CABLE. THE FAILURE INVOLVED BOTH SIDE DOORS AND REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE DOOR CABLE KIT AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE MECHANICS THAT OPERATES THE DOORS THAT CAN BECOME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CABLES OPERATING THE LATCHES CAN AND DO FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE OF VINYL AND IN TIME FAIL. UPDATED 01/20/12

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON JANUARY 14, 2008 WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY OF 2008. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 122,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. SINCE THAT TIME, HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER FIVE TIMES AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK. ON APRIL 2, 2008, HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL BACK IN AUGUST. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

1996 FORD ECONOLINE WITH FUSED JUMPER HARNESS RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING HIM THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER IS VERY UPSET WITH THE UNSATISFACTORY WAY THIS RECALL IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH A FEW MONTHS AGO; HOWEVER, FORD IS CURRENTLY SENDING THE CONTACT ANOTHER LETTER STATING THAT THE PART THEY REPLACED WAS STILL DEFECTIVE, AND HE NEEDS TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THE LETTER REQUESTS THAT HE LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHILE IT IS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR YEARS AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT COULD CATCH FIRE. HE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DESTROYED ALL OF THE SWITCHES, BUTTONS, AND MIRROR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD ECONOLINE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. PERSONAL ITEMS THAT WERE IN THE YARD WERE BURNED AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED LAST NOVEMBER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF

THE MORNING OF 23 DEC 2006 AROUND 5:00 AM, MY 1196 FORD ECONOLINE CONVERSION VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DUE TO THE INTENSE HEAT MY HOME SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE AS WELL. THERE WERE NO KNOWN MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. IT WAS RUNNING LIKE A CHAMP UNTIL THIS INCIDENT.

1996 FORD ECONOLINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPEATEDLY CAUSED THE VAN TO BREAK DOWN. *KB THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR SEIZED AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND THE ABS, AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *JB

1996 CLUB WAGON CHATEAU THEFT ALARM CAME ON/OFF CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START THE NEXT MORNING. *TS THE ALARM ONCE AGAIN SOUNDED AND WAS TURNED OFF. A FEW HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM

DRIVING DOWN EXPRESSWAY, STOPPED TO DROP NEWPHEW OFF VAN SMELLED HOT/BURNING OPENED HOOD FIRE PRESENT. CRUISE CONTROL PART ON RECALL FOR OTHER FORDS STARTED FIRE. PUT FIRE OUT. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR PART EVEN THOUGH EXACT PART ON RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS ON A VAN NOT A TRUCK. IT IS STILL THE SAME FAULTY PART AS THE TRUCKS. HAS BURNED CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE FLUID CHAMBER ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER IT AND SHORTED OUT ALTERNATOR. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED A 15 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

ON SUNDAY MORNING AT ABOUT 6 AM THE ALARM OF OUR VAN WENT OFF. IT WOKE US UP. THE ENGINE OF THE VAN WAS ON FIRE. WE CALLED THE 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT HE COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE.THE LAST TIME I DROVE THE VAN WAS ABOUT 8:30 PM ON SATURDAY NIGHT. IT WAS FINE THEN WHILE IT WAS BURNING IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO START. ONE FIREMAN SAID THAT SOUND WAS FROM THE WIRES BURNING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT IS A 1996 FORD [XXX] FORD E 350 LIMITED REGENCY THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT79362. A STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD SAYS BUILT WITH PRIDE ECONOLINE BY LORAIND OHIO ASSEMBLY UAW 425 2000. WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE CAR ALARM. WE WERE NOT DUE TO WAKE UP UNTIL AN HOUR LATER. WE THINK IT IS TOTALED BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT SIDE IS BURNED AND THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. ALL THE SEATS ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE. THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE BUT WHEN WE WENT TO GET THE REPORT WE FOUND THAT THE POLICE MAN DID NOT MAKE A REPORT. HE DIDN'T EVEN SPEAK TO US. LATER WE LEARNED THAT SHIFT CHANGE HAPPENS THAT TIME OF MORNING. (A POLICE MAN WHO GOES TO OUR CHURCH TOLD US ABOUT THE SHIFT CHANGE) HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY A REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: THE CONTACT BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AROUND JUNE-2002. 3 FAILED. THE FIRST ONE FAILED IN 6-04, THE SECOND ONE BLEW OUT IN 3-05, AND THE THIRD ONE FAILED ON 8-15-05. NOTICED THE BUBBLES BEFORE THE OTHER TWO BLEW OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM AT NO COST; BUT WAS WORRIED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE THE SAME TIRE. THE TIRE BRAND NAME IS BIG O. THE DOT NUMBERS ARE B4KV3800; UTRK-266E R-44448 K-9184 1914. THE TIRE LINE IS: LT235/75R15. *AK *JB

1996 FORD ECONOLINE VAN WAS PARKED ON MY PROPERTY. IT STARTED ON FIRE WHICH SPREAD SO QUICKLY THAT THE WHOLE VAN WAS BURNT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THE FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BUT CAN NOT DETERMINE WHAT STARTED IT ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR REPORT. THIS VAN WAS NOT PARKED NEAR ANYTHING FLAMMABLE NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING FLAMMABLE IN THE VAN. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT THE WINDSHIELD MELTED. WE NOW HAVE NO VAN AND NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT WOULD START ON FIRE. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT UNLESS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SUSPECTS ARSON.

ON JUNE 25TH I CHANGED THE BATTERY ON MY 1996 FORD E150 BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER I HEARD THE ALARM GOING OFF. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I RAISED THE HOOD AND THE SENDING UNIT ON THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SMOKING AND THE WHITE SMOKE WAS INCREASING BY THE SECOND. I PULLED THE WIRES THAT WERE LEADING TO IT AND THE SMOKED STARTED TO DISAPATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. ON JUNE 29, I WAS WATCHING THE JANE PAULY SHOW ON CNN. THEY WERE REPORTING ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME PART ON THE FORD F150 PICKUPS. I BELIEVE THAT IF MY ALARM HAD NOT SOUNDED MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE LIKE THE PICKUP TRUCKS IN THE REPORT. AS OF YET I STILL HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND ALL PARTS ARE AS THEY WERE ON THE DAY OF THE INCEDENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE I WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE THIS WAY SO YOU CAN INSPECT THE PROBLEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP SO I KNOW HOW TO PROCEED.

THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MADE THE ASSUMPTION OF IT BEING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

THE ABS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKING DURING A EMERGENCY SITUATION OR A SUDDEN STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

THE ROOF ON MY 1996 FORD ECONOLINE WITH MOUNTED RACK HAS PAINT THAT HAS PEELED OFF AND BEGINNING RUST, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE RACK AND EDGES OF ROOF. IT IS A BLUE METALLIC PAINT AND IS SEPARATING FROM THE PRIMER, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A DEFECT KNOWN AS DELAMINATION CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PRIMER AND NORMAL ENVIRONMENT CONDITION OF ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE, A DEFECT THAT WAS LATENT FROM THE DATE IT WAS PAINTED AND HAS NOW BECOME VERY APPARENT. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR ROOF IS $1220.80 MILEAGE IS 55,834.*JB

WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE THE CONSUMER HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE INJECTOR DRIVER MODULE WAS THE PROBLEM. THIS MODULE WAS POSITIONED IN A WAY THAT MOISTURE COULD SEEP IN, CAUSING THE IPM MODULE TO FAIL. *AK RESPONSE FROM DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS POOR. *PH

CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE VEHICLE ALIGNED BECAUSE THE FRAME CRACKED NEAR THE STEERING BOX WHERE MOTOR MOUNT ARE ATTACHED. *AK *NLM

THREE OUT OF FOUR GOODYEAR TIRES HAD A LARGE AIR BUBBLE ON SIDEWALLS. BUBBLE WAS THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS. *AK

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WIT THE ABS SYSTEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE HCV/HYD CONTROL UNIT FOR THE ABS FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNDER HARD BEARING, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL #96VZ14000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE OWNED ANOTHER VEHICLE LIKE THIS BEFORE AND IT ALSO HAD PROBLEMS-SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *MR *SCCB *NLM

BRAKES WORE OUT AND WERE REPLACED EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE CALIPER WAS MADE OF FIBERGLASS AND CRUMBLED UNDER THE HEAT OF BRAKING CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE FRONT DISK BRAKES AND THE CALIPER PISTON REPLACED WITH METAL A METAL KIND, CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS.*YH *CB

FIBERGLASS CALIPER PISTON ON FRONT DISC BRAKES COVERED WITH METAL PLATE COVER BRAKE PADS ONLY LASTED 2 MONTHS BECAUSE IT STARTED TO CRUMBLE DANGEROUS. *AK

HORN BUTTONS ARE NOT VISIBILE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AKIN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE THE HORN IN NEEDED, THE HORN IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE. *JG

THIS MAKES THE 2ND TIME I HAVE REPORTED THIS, PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS!..... I HAVE HAD MANY OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING THE CALIFORNIA FREEWAYS, WHEN WET, AND THE REAR DRUMS/SHOES GET WET AND BECOME INNOPERATIVE. I HAVE BEEN A REPAIR TECH ON ALL SYSTEMS OF BRAKES, TECHNICAL AND SIMPLE, AND FIND THERE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BACKING PLATE/RELATIONSHIP TO THE REAR DRUMS WHICH ALLOW WATER MIST TO ENTER AND WET THE REAR SHOES. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT DEEP PUDDLES OR GULLY-WASHERS, JUST A LIGHT DRIZZLE WILL PRODUCE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN BROUGHT TO FORDS ATTENTION, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT EXPEIRIANCED THIS WITH ANY ONE ELSE, AND MUST BE MY DRIVING HABBITS. WELL, IT DOESN'T RAIN ALL THAT MUCH,AND AT SLOWER SPEEDS, SAY UNDER 35, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN. IT IS APPARANT WHEN JUST THE FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP, AND THE REAR WILL NOT EVEN RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, YOU KNOW THE REAR ARE WET AND NEED TO BE DRIED OUT LIKE IN THE OLDEN DAYS. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY CONDITION, AND ACTUALLY REAR ENDED A LADY AND HAD TO PAY FOR HER REAR BUMPER, FORTUNATELY, SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY NECK INJURIES, AS OF THIS DAY IN MAY 20002. IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS LETTER. RICK WOLFF. 714- 821-5678 THANKS.*AK

THE PROBLEM STARTS WHEN THE VAN STARTS PULLING RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. THE ABS LIGHT STARTS COMING INTERMITTENTLY ON AND WHEN IT COMES ON THE VEHICLE STARTS DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND IT STARTS PULLING AGAIN. WHEN BRAKING IT PULLS HARD RIGHT. THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND WILL DRIVE GOOD FOR 5000 MILES. IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES YOU CAN FEEL THE FRONT RIGHT ROTOR IS SIGNIFICANTLY HOTTER THAN THE LEFT.*AK

VAN WAS SLOWING GETTING UP SPEED THEN SURGED WHILE PARKING AND DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VAN HIT A PARKED PICKUP AND PUSHED IT UP THE PARKING LOT EMBARKMENT. THE ABC LIGHT CAME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

STRONGLY FEEL FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONING INDICATOR LIGHT SAFETY ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO ACCIDENTS. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SAID THE PROBLEM IS OUT OF WARRANTLY (5 YRS OR 50K MILES). THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $80 TO TROUBLE SHOOT LET ALONE FIX. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MANUFACTURERS DEFECT PROBLEM THAT FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD COVER. YOUR ADVICE AND INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK

MY FORD E-150 VAN, AFTER BEING DRIVEN ABOUT 1 HOUR EARLIER, BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED THE SPEED DEACTIVATION CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED ON THE MASTER BRAKE CONTROL CYLINDER. THIS IS THE SAME SWITCH AS IN 93 LINCOLN TOWNCARS AND MANY OTHER FORD CARS AND TRUCKS. IT WAS DESIGNED BY TEXAS INSTURMENTS TO BE WIRE AS SWITCHED BUT FORD INSTALLED IT AS WIRED ALWAYS HOT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THIS WILL CAUSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND COULD INJURE MANY PEOPLE. THESE VEHICLES CAN BURST INTO FLAMES AT ANY TIME OR IN ANYBODY'S GARAGE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE FORENSIC REPORT I PAID FOR. THANKS, AND PLEASE DON'T PARK YOUR FORD IN YOUR GARAGE.*AK

THE ABS SYSTEM IS PERFORMING POORLY ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER HOLDS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH STEADY PRESSURE. NLM

I BOUGHT THE VAN WHEN IT WAS 2 YRS. OLD IN DEC. 1998, BY THAT SUMMER I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT ROTORS BECAUSE OF CRACKS, AND I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR SINCE. THE VAN IS NOT USED ON A DAILY BASIS SO I AM WONDERING ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEFECT FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING EVERY 2-3,000 MILES. FORD SHOWS NO RECALLS ON THIS MODEL, BUT THE GARAGE THAT HAS CHANGED THE ROTARS EVERY TIME SAYS IT IS NOT NORMAL WITH SO FEW MILES BETWEEN EACH TIME IT HAPPENS.*AK

ALL TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF COMING APART, BOTH ON SIDES AND TREAD. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225-75R-16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225-75R-16 )

CONSUMER STATES HE WAS TOLD BY DELAERSHIP THAT FRONT END BALL JOINTS WERE DESIGNED AND PUT IN WITHOUT A LUBRICATION POINT WHICH CAUSED THE TIE ROD ENDS, STEERING LINKAGE AND TIRES TO WEAR DOWN AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED, DEALERSHIP REPLACED BALL JOINTS WITH A GREESE FITTING. *JB

PE-00-020- REPLACEMENT TIRES, SIZE P23575R15, DOT STARTED WITH W2HL, TIRES HAVE NO MORE THAN TWENTY THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. WHEN DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, PULLED OFF ROAD, AND NOTICED PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *SLC

SEAT BRACKETS ON DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED, VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, CONSUMER'S FOOT ON BRAKE, SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE BEING CONVERSION VAN. FORD DEALER OFFERED TO PAY 2/3 OF COST OF REPAIR. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT EARLY THAT DAY. THEN, ANOTHER BLOWOUT IN THE EVENING, BUT CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FORDTRUCK, ECONOLINE, 1996 HTLT 245/75 R16, DOT MD11 520 V425 272885-GRF-66.*AK FIRST TIRE FAILURE WAS THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, SECOND FAILURE WAS THE DRIVER REAR TIRE, TIRES WERE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT, SECOND FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE INCLUDING THE WATER TANK AND GAS HOSE. *SLC

DASH BOARD "ABS" LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. SINCE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE BUT IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR TIME, FORD MOTOR COMPANY ESTIMATES $750.00 TO REPAIR HOWEVER DO NOT THINK THAT A COMPONENT OF THIS NATURE SHOULD FAIL AT THIS LOW MILEAGE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS USED IN VERY LIGHT DUTY AS EVIDENCED BY MILEAGE SHOWN SINCE PURCHASED IN JUNE 1996.*AK

A REOCCURRING FAILURE OF A TIMING GEAR AT 64,000 MILES. FIRST, OCCURRED AT 55,000 MILES. REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH DEALER'S PART. BELIEVED NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO AT THIS AS A DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK

1ST TIRE FAILURE / BLOWOUT/ I-580 E; 2ND TIRE FAILURE / TIRE SEPARATION/I-10 W (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XE408 TIRESIZE: 22575R16)

PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1996, FORD SUPER DUTY, TIRE SIZE LT22575R16, DOT VD1L1XA475,STEEL TEX RS4. ON APRIL 17, 1999, WHILE DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD CAME OFF WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. ON JULY 24, 2000 WITH 22 MILES, WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A FLAPPING NOISE DUE TO DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD COMING OFF WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO WHEELWELL. FIRESTONE UNWILLING TO HELP. *AK *SLC

REAR RIGHT INSIDE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE GOING 60 MPH.*AK (TIRESIZE: R16 M/S)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: R16 M/S )

3 FIRESTONE STEEL RADIAL R4S TIRES P225/75R16 TIRES EXPERIENCED FAILURE, 2 TIRES PEELED AND 1 TIRE SPLIT, EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER WAS ROTATING TIRES, WEAR STILL OCCURRED, CONSUMER SWITCHED BRANDS OF TIRES AND HAS HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS, DOT VD1L. *SLC

I HAVE SUFFERED TWO COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATIONS ON TWO FIRESTONE FR480 TIRES, SIZE 235/75R15XL. THESE WERE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON MY 1996 FORD ECONOLINE 150 CUSTOM VAN. BOTH WERE REAR MOUNTED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE AND HAD APPROPRIATE INFLATION PRESUURE (AROUND 38 PSI). BOTH FAILURES OCCURED ON INTERSTATE AT MODERATE SPEEDS (60 - 65 MPH) IN THE EVENING AFTER THE HEAT OF THE DAY. FIRST FAILURE OCCURED 10/21/1999. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURED 7/25/00. THESE TIRES ARE THE SAME SIZE AND WERE MANUFACTURED AT THE SAME FACTORY AS THE RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX AND WILDERNESS TIRES. MY DATA SUGGESTS THAT OTHER TIRE MODELS OF THIS SIZE PRODUCED AT THIS ILLINOIS PLANT MAY HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE ALSO. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15X )

ON JUNE 28, 2000, MY WIFE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN. AS SHE WAS TURNING THE ENGINE WENT COMPLETLY DEAD, POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND A YELLOW LIQUID SHOOTS OUT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ON TO THE DASHBOARD AND ON MY WIFE'S LEGS CAUSING THE SKIN TO BURN. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH NOXIOUS FUMES CAUSING MY WIFE AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS TO COUGH AND TO EVACUATE THE VAN. THE VAN STARTED BACK UP AFTER THIS INCIDENT. ON JULY 2 & 3, 2000 WE TOOK THE VAN TO A1 AUTO CARE IN HOBE SOUND, FL. THEY CHECKED FOR POTIENTIAL ANTIFREEZE LINE LEAKS, CHECKED THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS AND DISCOVERED SOME OF THE YELLOW LIQUID ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG ITSELF. THEY CALLED THE FORD TECH. SUPPORT LINE AND COULD NOT COME UP WITH ANYTHING SIMILAR TO THIS SITUATION. ON JULY 6, I CALLED THE FORD CORP. THEY DOCUMENTED THE EVENT AND DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NOTHING ON RECORD. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA. ON AUGUST 7, 2000, THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED TO THE VAN AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. THE YELLOW LIQUID CAUSES BURNING OF THE SKIN AND THE FUMES CAUSES ONE TO CHOKE. THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECTIVE PART RELATING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. I KNOW INDIVIDUALS TO REPORT ABOUT THE YELLOW NOXIOUS LIQUID AFTER THEIR AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT.

INCIDENT 1- OCCURRED ON MAY 20,2000. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE STIPPED AND PEELED OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A BIG BLOW OUT SOUND AND THE CAR SWAYED BUT WAS SAFELY PULLED OVER. IT CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. THEY PROCESSED THE CLAIM AND PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE TIRE WAS SENT BACK TO THEM. INCIDENT 2-- OCCURED RECENTLY ON JUL 31 2000. THE BACK TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STRIPPED AND BLEW OUT IN A SIMILAR PATTERN WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STEET. FIRESTONE WAS AGAIN NOTIFIED. THEY ASKED THE TIRE BE TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. WE REQUESTED THAT THEY REPLACE ALL THE REMAINING TIRES US WE FEARED DRIVING WITH THE REMAINING TIRES. FIRESTONE DECLINED TO REPLACE IT BUT SAID WOULD PRORATE IT TO THE TREAD WEAR. WE DID NOT ACCEPT THAT US WE FEEL THAT THE TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY DEFECTIVE. PLEASE INFORM US ABOUT ANY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO THIS IF IT EXSISIT. WE STILL HAVE TWO OF THOSE TIRES ON THE VAN. PLEASE LET US KNOW OF ANY EXSISTING PROBLEM SO THAT WE CAN TAKE PRECAUTIONS. THANKING YOU . SINCERELY. NAIRS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/75R1 )

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK