1996 Mercury Cougar

Defect. WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Risk. THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Defect. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE BLOWER COULD (1) STICK ON "HIGH;" (2) OPERATE ERRATICALLY WITH BLOWER OUTPUT VARYING BETWEEN NO BLOWER AND MAXIMUM BLOWER; OR (3) NOT OPERATE AT ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULE.

Risk. BLOWER MALFUNCTIONS LIMITING OR STOPPING OUTPUT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEMI-AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL MODULES WITH MODULES CONTAINING REVISED SOFTWARE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL ADJUSTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER WOULD ONLY FUNCTION ON HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE DEFROST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/24/12*LJ

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT DOOR WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOORS THEY COULD BE PUSHED OPEN WITH LITTLE EFFORT. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V070000, LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES, AND DOOR LATCH WAS, ISSUED FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF THE 10 YEAR EXPIRATION PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 COUGAR THIS PAST SEPTEMBER, WHICH HAS ONLY 40,360 MILES ON IT AND IS STORED MOST OF THE YEAR FOR THE PURPOSES OF COLLECTING AND PRESERVING THE VEHICLE INDEFINITELY, AT LOW SPEEDS I NOTICED THE OBVIOUS SIGN OF COOLANT AND THE SMELL OF COOLANT COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN RIGHT AWAY AND DISCOVERED COOLANT RUNNING ONTO THE GROUND BELOW. NOW, BEING OF AN EXPERIENCED NATURE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND USING CLOSE OBSERVATION OF THE PROBLEM IT APPEARED TO BE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I THEN DISCOVERED AFTER THE FACT THAT THESE 4.6 LITER ENGINES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS INTAKE CRACKING PROBLEM, SO NOW I WILL BE PURCHASING AN UPGRADED AND IMPROVED INTAKE FOR AROUND $223.00 THAT IS DESIGNED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AT THE COST OF AROUND $100.00 QUESTION IS? WHY THEN AM I ONE OF THOSE OWNERS THAT WERE NOT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A COVERED REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT MY YEAR 1996 MERCURY COUGAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 4.6 ENGINES RECALL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS SITUATION DAMAGING OR SHORTENING THE LIFE OF A WELL CARED FOR ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS SIMPLY NOT A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD FAIL, I REALIZE THAT THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO EVERY COMPONENT ON A VEHICLES ENGINE BUT IT DOES AND SHOULD APPLY TO THIS COMPONENT BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PART, SINCE THE POTENTIAL COST INCURRED TO AN OWNER IF IT OVERHEATS

MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. RECALL # 97V159000 1992-93 MERCURY COUGARS...FORD RECALL LETTER TO YOU DATED 9-17-1997..MY COUGAR BUILT 4-'96...1996 WAS THE LAST YEAR FOR THIS CAR. ALL COUGARS 1992 TO 1996 SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, FOR THE CONVOLUTE COVERING PREVENTION TO BE INSTALLED AROUND THE FUEL LINES PER FORD RECALL LETTER 573.5 (C) (8) CAMPAIGN # 97S84. PURSUANT TO PART 573 OF TITLE 49 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM

1996 MERCURY COUGAR V6 3.8 LITER ENGINE. HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THIS ENGINE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED. ROUGHLY 80,000 MILES. $1200-1500 ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. *NM

I WAS DRIVING AND SAW MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. PULLED INTO CAR PARTS COMPANY PARKING LOT. OPENED HOOD SAW COOLANT ON TOP OF MOTOR AND UNDERSIDE OF HOOD. COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM FRONT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. UPON INSPECTION REALIZED THE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE LEAK WITH PLASTIC REPAIR AND A COOLANT SYSTEM REPAIR, NO USE. HAD TO LIMP THE CAR TO ZENDER FORD IN SPRUCE GROVE, ALBERTA. THEY ARE FIXING THE CAR AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $900.00 NO WARRANTY OR RECALL. LEFT ME STRANDED 400 KM'S FROM MY HOME. *NM

CAMPAIGN 96V007000----ON MY 96 COUGARXR7 PURCHASED IN 2001--HAD TO REPACE MOTOR DUE TO OVERHEATING--NEW MOTOR STARTED TO OVERHEAT/BLOWER CAUSED THIS OVER-HEATING--BECAUSE BLOWER CAME ON ERATICALLY MECHANIC DID NOT FIND IMMEDIATELY//CURRENTLY OUT OF POCKETEXPENSES AROUND 6000.00--DEALER SHOULD OF HAD THIS FIXED BEFORE SELLING TO ME OR AT LEAST NOTIFIED ME OF THIS RECALL

DT: WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STEPPING ON BRAKE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE, AND THE ENGINE WILL REV UP. CALLER HAS TO STOMP ON BRAKE HARD TO GET IT TO STAY STILL. CAR CAN BE IN GEAR OR IN PARK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. EVERY TIME HE HAS TAPPED THE BRAKE JUST BEFORE THIS HAPPENS.*AK

DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED. THEREFORE, THE DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE FULLY, AND COULD FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE ENTIRE LATCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

96 V 070 000/STRUCTURE DOOR ASSEMBLY LATCHES AND LOCKS: ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER DOOR FLEW OPEN BY ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS AT NO COST. THE CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN IF THE PROBLEM WILL RECUR. *JB *AK

CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD. REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD. THERE WERE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND TIRE ROTATION. *BF THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, AND THE COOLANT LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT AND ADDED A CUP OF WATER. THE CONSUMER'S SON IN LAW WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE RUBBER STRIP ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING OFF, THE RIGHT REAR TRIM PANEL COMING LOOSE, THE BRAKES MADE RUBBING NOISE INTERMITTENTLY, GLOVE BOX DOOR WON'T SHUT, THE AIR BAG WOULD RATTLE, THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR RATTLED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND THE DOOR SWITCH TRIM PANEL WAS DISCOLORED. *SC

I PURCHASED MY COUGAR IN 1996 BRAND NEW. I HAVE BEEN IT SOUL OWNER SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. ON NOVEMBER 23, 2004 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ABOUT HALF WAY THERE MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS NO OTHER SIGNS THAT MY CAR WAS IN TROUBLE, NO OVERHEATING ON MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE, SO I CONTINUED TO WORK, PARKED THE CAR. BEFORE I STARTED THE CAR I ADDED A GALLON OF ANTIFREEZE AND IT SEEMED TO DRAIN OUT SO I ADDED ANOTHER GALLON, IT DID THE SAME. I IMMEDIATE CALLED MY MECHANIC BEFORE STARTING THE CAR. HE TOLD ME TO START THE CAR AND WHEN I DID I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND ALL THE ANTIFREEZE WAS POURING OUT FAST. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED DIRECTLY TO MY MECHANIC. HE HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. I HAVE HAD THIS ITEM PERIODICALLY CHECKED SINCE I RECEIVED THE RECALL INFORMATION IN 1998. EACH CHECK HAS ASSURED ME THAT THIS MANIFOLD WAS IN GOOD SHAPE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE RECALL WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MANIFOLD. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $1100.00 TO FIX. I THINK IT IS VERY UNFAIR THAT FORD WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HONOR THE RECALL SINCE THEY KNOW THAT THIS PLASTIC MANIFOLD WILL NOT HOLD UP FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS IS MY FIRST MAJOR ISSUE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORDS POLICY. I BOUGHT MY COUGAR IN GOOD FAITH AND I LOVE MY CAR VERY MUCH. BECAUSE I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE I MISSED THE CUTOFF TIME BY FOUR MONTHS AND NOW IT WILL COST ME DEARLY. WHY WEREN'T VEHICLE OWNERS INFORMED OF THE CUTOFF TIMES? I WAS GIVEN THE IMPRESSION THIS RECA

I JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM USED CAR LOT. DURING MY 3 MILE TRIP HOME THE CAR OVER HEATED AND WATER VAPOR WAS COMING IN THROUGH AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. WHEN I STOPPED AT MY HOME, I COULD SEE STEAM COMING FROM INSIDE ENGINE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS CRACK IN A PLASTIC PART COMING DIRECTLY OFF OF THE ENGINE BLOCK TO A COOLANT HOSE. I WENT TO SEVERAL AUTO PARTS STORES TO IDENTIFY THE PART AND FOUND IT WAS A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WATER CROSS-OVER JACKET CAUSING COOLANT LEAK. THE STORES DID NOT CARRY A REPLACEMENT, SO I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD DOES HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART, ACTUALLY THEY REDESIGNED THE WHOLE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR DESIGN ERROR. THEY ALSO HAD EXTENDED THE CAR WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS TO REPLACE THIS PART IF/WHEN FAILURE OCCURS. THE FORD REPLACEMENT IS AN ASSEMBLY, NOT PART JUST THE PROBLEM PART, IT COSTS $589.17 AND DEALER INSTALLATION OF IT COSTS $450.00. FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST OR GIVE AT ALL ON THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION TO FIX THEIR OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE PART AND/OR THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY. THROUGH ON-LINE NEWGROUPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, JUNKYARDS CANNOT KEEP THE OLD PLASTIC PART IN THEIR YARDS. I LOVE THE COUGAR XR7 V8, BUT BEWARE IF THIS PART HASN'T BEEN FIXED WITH THE NEW ONE, THAT YOU WILL AT SOME POINT HAVE TO FIX IT. *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK. AS A RESULT, WATER LEAKED OUT, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR ONE WEEK BEFORE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK UP AND BRAKE LIGHTS, THE FAN BELT, AND THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD FLEW UP WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN TO THE HOOD LATCH. *JB *MR

HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS SHORTED OUT MANY TIMES. LOCAL DELARSHIP KNOWS THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BY A LOCAL SHOP THREE TIMES. FOD HAD CHECKED FOR ELECTRICAL SHORTS AND SAID THEY WERE ALL FINE.*AK AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION WENT OUT BECAUSE THE FILTER WASNT GETTING ENOUGH FLUID BECAUSE THE FILTER WASNT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FAN 96 COUGAR 41,000 ORIGINAL MILES

I BOUGHT A MECURY COUGAR XR7 FEBURARY 1ST, 2003 AT CARMAX IN DULLES, VA. I HAVE HAD THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS. LAST MONDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2003 I TOOK MY CAR TO INSPECTED BY THE STATE OF MARYLAND. I WAS ASSURED THIS CAR WOULD PASS INSPECTION. MY CAR FAILED INSPECTION. I AM NOW HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHERE IT JUMPS AND KNOCKS. THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. I HAVE TRIED CALLING CARMAX SEVERAL TIMES THIS WEEK TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED AT THEIR LAUREL DEALERSHIP AND WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AT CARMAX IN STERLING/DULLES, VA. NO ONE COULD HELP ME TO BRING MY CAR IN OR SET UP AN EARLIER APPOINTMENT. MY CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. MY GIRLFRIEND CALLED THE SALESPERSON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2003. THE SALESPERSON CALLED THE OPERATIONS MANAGER AND HE CALLED MY GIRLFRIEND. THEY ARE TRYING TO SET UP A TIME FOR ME TO BRING MY CAR IN ON MONDAY. I HAVE CALLED ALL WEEK AND NO ONE WOULD FORWARD MY CALL TO THE OPERATIONS MANAGER AT CARMAX. MY APPOINTMENT WAS SET UP TO BRING MY CAR IN ON FEBRUARY 24TH. I AM WORRIED THAT I BOUGHT LEMON. I ONLY HAD THE CAR APPROXIMATLEY 3 WEEKS. THERE IS A CERTIFICATE IN MY CAR FROM VIRGINIA STATE CLAIMING THAT THIS CAR PASSED INSPECTION BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2002.

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. MADE OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL. IS THERE ANY RECALLS OUT THERE FOR THIS? IF NOT, WHY NOT? WHY WOULD YOU PUT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN THE ENGINE? *LA

INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE PLASTIC MATERIAL ON THE WATER CROSS-OVER JACKET (PORTION OF THE MANIFOLD). THIS CAUSED ALL THE COOLANT TO FLOOD OUT. I FOUND FORD HAD ISSUED A TSB (97M91) THROGH ITS OWNERS NOTIFICATION PROGRAM (ONP) IDENTIFYING FATIGUE AND FAILURE OF THIS PART. A NEW PART HAD BEEN DESIGNED BY FORD ENGINEERS THAT USED AN ALUMINUM COOLANT CROSS-OVER JACKET RATHER THAN THE PLASTIC. THE ONP TSB WAS RELEASED IN 1999. I CALLED THE SUPPORT PHONE NUMBER, 1-800-392-3673. IS NOW THE CLAIMS NUMBER. HOWEVER, HE INDICATED THE VIN NUMBER STILL SHOWED THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THIS WAS PROMPTLY CHANGED. IT TURNS OUT THE 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BY FORD (TO ALL NEW AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS) HAD EXPIRED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. HEAR IS MY PROBLEM: 1. I BOUGHT THE CAR(USED) FROM A MAJOR DEALER IN MARCH OF 2002. WHY DID FORD NOT HAVE MY OWNERS INFORMATION? WHAT GOOD IS THE ONP IF IT IS INACCURATE? 2. I HAD TO DO AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH TO FIND THIS TSB 97M91. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS, I WOULD OF HAD IT REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED, OR HAD IT PERIODICALLY INSPECTED.. I WAS NEVER GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT DESCISION. 3. IT SEEMS THE OWNERS NOTIFICATION PROGRAM ONLY BENEFITS THOSE WHO ARE "IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM". 4. I FEEL I HAVE NO RECOURSE TO NEGOTIATE WITH FORD. THE CLAIMS PHONE NUMBER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THIS INQUIRY. 5. THIS IS A POORLY DESIGNED PART. SO POOR, FORD ISSED A 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO I

TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP, CAR OVERHEATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT INTAKE PLASTIC MANIFOLD CRACKED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING. THE HOOD FLEW OPEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC *JB

THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING INTERNAL AND WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING. *SCC

TEAR ALONG FRONT FACE OF UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. CALLED SEVERAL SALVAGE YARDS TO FIND REPLACEMENT AND WAS TOLD BY ALL THAT THEY CAN'T KEEP THESE IN STOCK. WHEN I DID LOCATE ONE THE MANAGER AT THE SALVAGE YARD ASKED WHAT HAPPENED TO MY INTAKE. I SHOWED HIM WHERE THE INTAKE SPLIT OPEN AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY'RE SEEING A LOT OF THESE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I WAS LUCKY TO FIND THE ONE HE HAD. THIS PLASTIC (COMPOSITE) COMPONENT PROBABLY DOESN'T FAIR WELL IN ARIZONA. DT

THE IGNITION HAS FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF BY IGNITION KEY. HAD TO SHUT OFF VIA FUEL SHUTOFF. MR

VEHICLE WAS GOING 20MPH RIGHT BALL JOINT LOCKED UP. VEHICLE STEERED STARIGHT, BUT WAS PULLING RIGHT. EVERTUALLY, VEHICLE STOPPED ITSELF. MERCURY DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

IF HEAT IS LEFT ON MODULE IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE.*AK

ON FIVE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TRUNK LID WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER DETERMINED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-4 FROM TAMPA, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 INCHES OF TREAD BECAME SEPARATED.*AK

THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL FOR ENGINE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE PART FROM RECALL. SIX MONTH LATER, REPLACEMENT PART DIDN'T WORK. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. AND STAYED ON. SHE COMPLAINED THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT REPLACEMENT PART DIDN'T WORK AT FIRST, AND SHE NEEDED SOME HELP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY.*AK

GAS LINE LEAK POSITIONED OVER ELECTRICAL WIRE. *AK

THE GAS DID NOT SHUT OFF DURING IMPACT,ALONG WITH THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THE DRIVER COULD OF BEEN KILLED TODAY. PLEASE FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THANK YOU JAYNE HOWARD. *AK

TIRE BLEW OUT ON CITY STREET GOING APPROX 35MPH. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED ON 5-28-98 AND ALSO 9-2-98 BY FORD DEALER. HAVE INFO ON SERVICE TICKETS. FIRESTONE REP SAID TIRE HAD BEEN DRIVEN WITH LOW PRESSURE AND ALSO ON GLASS. SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THIS PERSON WAS NOT WORTH TALKING TO. PURCHASED ANOTHER BRAND AND DISCARDED CARCASS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215 70R/1 )

WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SEATBELT BECAME UNLATCHED

ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD A FLAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO DISCOUNT TIRES WHO TOLD US THAT THE TIRE ON THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WAS SEPARATING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE FLAT UNTIL WE REPLACED THE TIRE DUE TO SAFETY. WE BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT TIRE FROM DISCOUNT TIRES AND HAD IT PLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON ONE OF OUR LOOPS, AT THE POSTED SPEEDLIMIT OF 70 MPH, WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SHREDDED AND BLEW OUT. THE CAR ENDED UP GOING SIDEWAYS DOWN THE LOOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. HE ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY IN THE GRASS. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THE TIRE DID DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE REAR BUMPER WHEN IT CAME LOOSE. WE REPLACED THAT TIRE AND THE OTHER FRONT TIRE AT THE SAME TIME. ABOUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED A BAD VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AND HAD THE FOURTH TIRE REPLACED. I HAD ASKED THE TECHNICIAN AT DISCOUNT TIRES, IF I SHOULD GO TO FIRESTONE AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE TIRE, AS THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM TO COME APART LIKE THAT. I WAS TOLD I COULD TAKE IT TO THEM, HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME VERY MUCH, AS THE TREAD WAS LOW, I MIGHT GET A LITTLE BIT OF REPLACEMENT VALUE BUT NOT MUCH. SINCE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES, AND THE TIRE RETAILERS CHARGED ME A DISPOSAL FEE, AND KEPT THE BAD TIRES, I HAVE NO WAY OF PROVING THAT I HAD THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES THE CAR CAME WITH. THESE TIRES LOOKED FINE AN

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTED BUT I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE "SHUDDER". DEALER RECCOMMENDED ADDITIVE TO TRANSMISSION. FLUID JUST AFTER I PURCHASED CAR (NEW). NOW SHUDDER IS SO BAD I HAVE TO GET TRANSMISSION WORK.*AK

THE FIRST TIME THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT, THAN IT WAS RESURFACED AGAIN AND FINALLY WE HAD TO HAVE NEW ROTORS INSTALLED. THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN CAUSING THE BRAKES TO WEAR, ROTORS RESURFACED AGAIN, THAN NEW TIRES IN THE FRONT WERE WEARING OUT OF ROUNDS, NOW THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH TIME WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPAIRED (RESURFACED). THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES TERRIBLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC IN MISSISSIPPI FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH TREAD ON FIRESTONE TIRES SEPARATED ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE,CAUSING DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL AND FENDER/BUMPER. *AK *ML

INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF A COMPOSITE MATERIAL THE HEAT OF MOTOR MUST HAVE CRACKED IT, THE CRACK IS RIGHT BEHIND WHERE THE ALTERNATOR SITS. SO, IT IS ON THE FRONT OF THE INTAKE. WHY IS AN INTAKE MADE OF PLASTIC ANYWAY?

TOP OF ENGINE, MADE OUT OF PLASTIC ,DEVELOPED A TEAR IN IT.CONSUMER ORDERED NEW PART WHICH IS NOW REVISED AND MADE OF STRONGER MATERIAL. *AK

THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE CUT DUE TO WARPING. THIS IS THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES BUT, THE FRONT ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE CUT DOWN EVERY 12,000-15,000 MILES SINCE NEW. AT 48,000 MILES THE FRONT ROTORS COULD NOT BE CUT ANY MORE AND NEEDED REPLACED. THEY WERE CUT THREE TIMES BEFORE BEING REPLACED. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A 1989 MERCURY COUGAR AND MERCURY DID FIND A PROBLEM EITH THE ROTORS BEING TO THIN. AFTER BEING REPLACED I NEVER HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THEM FOR OVER 70,000 MILES. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY KNOW PROBLEMS OR REPAIRS FOR MY CAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND TRANSMISSION WOULD QUIT PULLING. THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING IT WOULD REPAIR ITSELF, BUT WOULD JERK IN THE PROCESS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE IDLE PULLEY REPLACED.

DASHBOARD REFLECTS ON WINDSHIELD, CAUSING DECREASED VISIBILITY. *AK

SEAT BELT LOCKS UP.