Page 40 of 40 · complaints 1,951–1,974 of 1,974

2008 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Visibility
Filed Aug 16, 200824 milesCA

THE SILVER RADIO FACEPLATE - STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON MY NEW 2008 FORD ESCAPE CREATES SUCH A GLARING REFLECTION IN MY WINDSHIELD THAT IT OBSCURES MY VIEW OF OBJECTS IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE ONE EYE - MONOCULAR VISION, WHICH MAKES THIS EVEN MORE OF A PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO WILL NOT SUPPORT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 9, 200826,819 milesOK

REPLACED ALL VALVE STEMS ON TIRES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 27, 200810 milesNJ

ON LEAVING THE LOT A HIGH VIBRATION CAME THRU THE GAS PEDAL AT 1500 RPM'S. I RETURNED BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO LET IT BREAK IN. AFTER 1 MONTH IT DID NOT GO AWAY AND BROUGHT IT IN TO SERVICE. 1ST ATTEMPT THEY DID NOTHING AND WAS TOLD TO GIVE THEM 2 WEEKS. 2ND ATTEMPT WAS THEN DONE AND THEY RE TIED THE GAS CABLE AND THE PROBLEM DIDN'T GO AWAY. THE GAVE UP AND TOLD ME TO CALL FORD. WITH FORD ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT REPLACED THE SHAFT AND MADE IT WORSE. NOW IT VIBRATE AND HAS A LINGERING BUZZING SENSATION TILL 2000 RPMS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND ARE CLAIMING IT IS NORMAL, WHICH NO OTHER VEHICLE EXCEPT THE FORD ESCAPE HAS WITH THE V6 ENGINE, THE V4 DOESN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DOCUMENT ON FORUMS WITH THE 2006 ESCAPE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. FORD IS ALSO REFUSING TO FOLLOW THE LEMON LAW BY REFUNDING MY MONEY SINCE THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND ARE NOT EVEN OFFERING AN EXCHANGE AS PER LAW.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 26, 200839,148 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUED TO WORK AND THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY MOVED TWO METERS. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC A MILE AWAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE KNOWS AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, AND ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,148.

Suspension
Filed Jun 21, 200819,000 milesNC

FIRST OF ALL, I CANNOT SAY WITH ANY CERTAINTY WEATHER THE ISSUE IS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE OR THE FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES. I CAN ONLY SUSPECT IT IS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE BASED ON 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF OWNING AND OPERATING AUTOMOBILES. 1. EXCESSIVELY LOUD NOISE FROM THE FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES. 2. AFTER 19,000 MILES ALL 4 FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES ARE WEARING DOWN ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD ONLY. 3. I WAS OFFERED A NEW SET OF TIRES FROM THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER AT A REDUCED COST. *TR

Steering
Filed May 28, 20088 milesMD

WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE, WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Apr 24, 200813 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A LARGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUN LIGHT, WHICH TEMPORARILY IMPAIRS HIS VISIBILITY. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,658. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR WOULD GRIND WHEN THE CONSUMER ROLLED IT OR DOWN. UPDATED 06/02/08

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 23, 20086,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE EXITING THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $2,400. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED $8,000. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. HE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000 UPDATED 06/16/08 *BF

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Apr 18, 20082,800 milesCA

SLOSHING SOUND OF FUEL FROM REAR END WHILE MAKING TURNS, BRAKING OR ACCELERATING. IN MOST CASES MAKES SOUND MORE THAN A HALF FULL. CAR HAS A HARDER TIME MAKING TURNS. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO COMPLAIN AND HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED, ON THE THIRD VISIT INSPECTED AND ROAD TESTED. NO WORK DONE TO FIX PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP CONTACT FORD HOTLINE. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 2, 200821,474 milesNJ

PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. 1.) (21,088 MILES) PURCHASE A PRE OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE 02/14/08 FRONT TIRES LOOK FAIRLY NEW AND REAR TIRES LOOKED LIKE SOME WEAR ON INSIDE BUT NOT BAD ENOUGH TO BRING TO DEALERS ATTENTION. 2.) (21474 MILES) BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER 02/25/08 FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR TIRES. DRIVER SIDE REAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD IN INSIDE OF TIRE. PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT AS BAD BUT WAS WORN TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOTICE. DEALER GAVE ME A HARD TIME AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THOSE TIRES WORE THAT QUICKLY. THEY SAID I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT WAY. PUT TWO NEW TIRES ON THE FRONT (I PAID FOR ONE $110.00) AND TOOK THE FAIRLY NEW FRONT TIRES AND PUT THEM ON THE BACK AND HAD A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. 3.) (21505 MILES) 02/27/08 BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HAD THE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK BECAUSE I HAD NO TRUST IN PURCHASING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE HARD TIME THEY GAVE ME OVER THE PROBLEM. ALIGNMENT CHECKED OUT TO BE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. 4.) (21,972 MILES) 03/26/08 NOTICE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES AGAIN AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO LOCAL DEALER. THEY AGREED THAT THE TIRES FRONT AND REAR WHERE WEARING EXCESSIVELY AND PERFORMED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT CHECK. AGAIN THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FORD SPECIFICATION. THEY ALSO CHECK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE FOR ANY PART BEING BENT AND ALSO CHECK THE FRAME TO SEE IF THAT MAY BE BENT. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. DEALER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE TIRE / ALIGNMENT SHOP AND HAD T

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 20, 20088,000 milesNJ

THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH ON RT. 3 IN CLIFTON NJ. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER BY SHIFTING IN TO NEUTRAL AND PUTTING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WHICH PROVIDED VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER. BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH, IN ADDITION TO A MESSAGE THAT SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF BRAKES REQUIRE SERVICE. THE CAR HAS ROUGHLY 7000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN SEPT. 2007. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 12, 20081,235 milesAZ

AFTER COMING FOR A DRIVE OUT TO PARKER LAKE, A 50 MILE DRIVE FROM MY HOME, MY NEW FORD ESCAPE XLT AWD STALLED. LOOSING POWER AND CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LUCKILY I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2-5 MIN. AND IT STARTED. I GOT IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I WAS LEAVING FROM WORK YESTERDAY FEB. 11, 2008, AND IT AGAIN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH-WORK-HOUR TRAFFIC. IT AGAIN WOULDN'T START, BUT AFTER ABOUT 2-5 MIN. IT DID. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER HERE IN TOWN, NOT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED I'M NOT SO SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE. YOU HAVE DONE TEST AND INSPECTIONS IN THE PASS ON TRIBUTES AND OTHER CARS WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AGAIN. BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 5, 20081,771 milesNY

TOTAL HYBRID / GASOLINE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Nov 15, 20075,000 milesCA

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY ESCAPE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT". AT THE SAME TIME THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A THING WRONG WITH IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO AUTOMATICALLY GOES DOWN WHEN I GET THE TIRE PRESSURE MESSAGE ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING HOT AIR. IT JUST GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS TIME AND THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS. THEY CONSULTED FORDS ENGINEERS AND WERE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH FORD (WHO HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT). THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COMPUTER. IT DIDN'T FAIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD JUST CONSTANTLY BEEP, THE MOST ANNOYING THING IN THE WORLD, AND THE DOORS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY LOCK. AS IT GOT WORSE THE DASH HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, SOMEDAYS IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP OTHER DAYS IT STAYS ON ALL NIGHT. THANKFULLY IT HASN'T DRAINED MY BATTERY. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES ALREADY AND I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY TO HELP ME WITH A LEMON LAW CASE. THE DEALER HAS NO CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON. THE ADVISOR SAID THAT I WAS THE ONLY ESCAPE IN THE NATION WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT LOOKING ON THE WEBSITE MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE, THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER ONE. MY CAR IS STILL DOING THIS EVEN MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BEFORE WE HEAR FROM FORD ABOUT A REPURCHASE. IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE MY ESCAPE IF IT WASN'T F

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Oct 1, 200724,000 milesMN

BRAKE ABS FAILURES ON TWO 2008 FORD ESCAPES IN 6 MONTHS. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 24, 20072,100 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED MOBILE HOME AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WASN'T ANY DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR HOME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS DAMAGED AND DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE OR INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 10 DAYS. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE REPAIR FACILITY. THE VIN AND THE ENGINE SIZE ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,100. CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORT. UPDATED 10/15/07 *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Sep 19, 200750 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS REFLECTED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE DAYTIME. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500.

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Sep 19, 200723 milesWI

WHY DRIVING THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON IN THE DASH AND THE COMPUTER WILL STATE ?TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.? I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SENSORS AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME IT HAS TO DO WITH A CELL PHONE CHARGER PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND SETTING OFF THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ON THE DASH, AS WELL AS SENDING A FALSE SIGNAL TO THE COMPUTER. THEY STATE THERE IS A FORD BULLETIN OUT ON IT BUT I CAN FIND ANYTHING ON IT. *JB UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED *JB

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 15, 2007PA

MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS ABOUT 90 LBS. WHEN SHE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF, SOME TIMES DEPENDING ON MINOR POSTURE CHANGES, SOMETIMES AT RANDOM. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THIS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THE SETTINGS ARE FEDERALLY MANDATED. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO NEVER KNOW IF A PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT WILL FUNCTION OR NOT. IF THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE ON, THEN IT IS UNSAFE FOR IT TO BE ON; IF THE SENSOR SAYS IT SHOULD BE OFF THEN HAVING IT ON WOULD BE UNSAFE. *JB

Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Sep 13, 2007800 milesWI

I WAS DRIVING MY NEW FORD 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT ASSEMBLY FELL APART. THE WHEEL BUCKLED UNDER THE CAR WHICH CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANYONE NOR ANYONE INCLUDING MYSELF WAS INJURED. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THEY FORGOT TO ATTACH THE BALL JOINT PROPERLY. IM LUCKY I WASNT ON THE FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 6, 2007340 milesGA

I PURCHASED NEW 2008 ESCAPE ON 8/27/2007 AND ON 9/01/2007, THE LINE LEADING TO THE ACCELARATOR, ACCORDING TO FORD "POPPED OFF". I ASKED THEM FOR ANOTHER CAR TO NO AVAIL. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AND NOT DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. HERE'S FORD'S RESPONSE VIA EMAIL: DEAR AUDREY, THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING YOUR 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLS. OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER ON 9/5/2007 11:07:04 AM, AND OUR CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED YOU THAT DIAGNOSIS ACCELERATOR CABLE POPPED OFF IS HAVING SERVICE MANAGER JAMES J________ DOUBLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE READY. AT THIS TIME WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN ALTERNATE RESPONSE. IF ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER SHOULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM FOR YOU. SINCERELY, JOHN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Equipment
Filed Aug 13, 2007CO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SEE THE CLAMPS WHEN HE INSPECTED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. HE BELIEVES THAT THE CLAMPS WERE DESIGNED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

Steering › Column
Filed Jun 10, 2007246 milesVA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 FORD ESCAPE ON JUNE 2,2007. MY DAUGHTER IS ACTUALLY COOWNER/DRIVER. SHE GOT IN THE VEHICLE ON WED, JUNE 6 AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START IT, IT WAS LOCKED UP. NOTHING WORKED TO GET THE STEERING, ETC. TO WORK. SHE SAID IT WAS LOCKED IN ADVANTRAC MODE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, WHERE SHE WORKS. THEY HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE, AND IT TOOK THEM 2 1/2 DAYS TO GET A DIAGNOSIS TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THEY SAY PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILAABLE UNTIL JULY 5, 2007, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. HER CAR PAYMENT IS DUE BEFORE THEN, AND SHE HAS ONLY DRIVEN 240+ MILES. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, OR IT WAS NOT INSPECTED PROPERLY BEFORE BEING SOLD. THEY SAY THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER, WHICH MAKES ME THINK THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAN THEY WILL ADMIT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FORD CANCEL OUR PURCHASE, AND TAKE THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE BACK. I DO NOT WANT TO WORRY ABOUT MY DAUGHTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT LOCKING UP, CAUSING A ROLLOVER,ETC. I THINK THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO KEEP IT . WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET HELP, I WILL PROBABLY CALL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF VIRGINIA TOMORROW. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS HAPPENING, AND FEEL THAT WE GOT CONNED INTO BUYING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, SO WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR OUR TROUBLE, AND RELEASED FROM THIS PURCHASE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME. THANK YOU.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 7, 2007NE

THE NEWLY REDESIGNED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER "AREA" FOR THE NEWLY ARRIVING 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS A SAFETY AND TRAFFIC HAZARD IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: BECAUSE OF NEW SHAPE FOR THE PLEXIGLASS FRONT AND THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD AND THE MATERIALS USED, IT ALLOWS THE SUN'S RAYS TO SPOTLIGHT ON THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER "AREA" , CAUSING THE WORST "GLARE" THAT I HAVE EVER COME ACCROSS IN ALL MY YEARS OF BUYING AND DRIVING NEW CARS. THIS CAUSES BLINDESS (EVEN WITH A GOOD PAIR OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES ON) DURING SUNNY DAYS, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT ANGLE TO THE SUN. ON A RECENT TRIP OUT OF TOWN, I HAD TO ACTUALLY HOLD UP ONE OF MY HAND'S CLOSE TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TO BLOCK THE SUN'S REFLECTION. THAT MEANT DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE ARM. THE ONLY SAFE TIME TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IS DURING CLOUDY DAYS. UNFROTUNATELY THAT WAS THE TYPE OF DAY IT WAS WHEN I TEST DROVE, BEFORE SIGNING 3 YEAR LEASE. THIS IS THE SISTER VEHICLE TO THE FORD ESCAPE AND MERCURY MARINER. ALL 3 ARE BUILT IN THE SAME FORD PLANT IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THEY MUST ALL HAVE THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. THE SAME VEHICLES DASH WAS JUST FINE FROM 2001-2007. I KNOW, BECAUSE I OWNED SEVERAL OF THEM. ONLY THE NEW DASH ON THE NEW 2008 MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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