Owners have filed 41 complaints
about the 1999 Ford Mustang GT with NHTSA between 2000 and 2014.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Ford Mustang GT. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 63
12.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 36
21% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 compares with every other Ford Mustang GT
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
1043.5%
Cooling System
313.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
313.0%
Recliner
28.7%
Frontal
28.7%
Front
14.3%
Switch/Wiring
14.3%
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
14.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
26.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
13.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1030.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
824.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
721.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
515.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2000peak 3Jul 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Ford Mustang GT
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP05005Opened 22 Sep 2005Closed 4 Jan 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 93,200 milesHenderson, NVCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ACCIDENT HEAD ON AND THEN ROLLED ONCE AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10144192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,960 milesRichmond, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE IDLE SPEED DROPS,AND SUDDENLY PICKS UP, CAUSING CAR TO LURCH FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #10043895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesMchenry, ILCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1999 MUSTANG GT. THE VEHICLE HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. VIN # [XXX]. MY SON 'T-BONED' A VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH. OUR VEHICLE SUSTAINED $8000 IN FRONT END DAMAGE. NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY SON AND HIS PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH NECK AND BACK PAIN. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE DRIVER BOTH SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE CRASH. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10023005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 142,000 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE
THE CAR WAS BUILT WITH A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD BEGAN LEAKING AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THEN THE HEATER HOSE CONNECTION ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY BROKE. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN AND MATERIAL SELECTION. FORD KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND HOPES IT WILL JUST GO AWAY. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES FOR REPAIRS THAT WERE DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10611188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annville, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF AN ALREADY FIXED HEAD!!!
NHTSA complaint #10447185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,675 milesWarrenville, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR LUNGES IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BEFORE ACCELERATOR IS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10330287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,675 milesWarrenville, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR LUNGES IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BEFORE ACCELERATOR IS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10330287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,200 milesAmarillo, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEARING A EXHAUST LEAK LIKE NOISE AND AROUND THE SPARK PLUG THERE IS AIR COMING OUT OF THE HEADS CAUSING THEM TO EVENTUALLY BLOW OUT AND I WILL BE VERY UPSET IF FORD DON'T REPLACE IT SINCE IT IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF CARS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10276302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesPekin, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN WHEN THE 3 RD SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1999 MUSTANG GT WITH A 4.6 V8 . IT ALSO DESTROYED THE COIL ON TOP OF THE PLUG.
NHTSA complaint #10247316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesPekin, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN WHEN THE 3 RD SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 1999 MUSTANG GT WITH A 4.6 V8 . IT ALSO DESTROYED THE COIL ON TOP OF THE PLUG.
NHTSA complaint #10247316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAustin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT IN MY 1999 FORD MUSTANG WITH 4.6L V8. I HAVE SINCE READ ABOUT THE VULNERABILITY OF THESE ENGINES TO EXPERIENCE SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT. THE FIRST BLOWOUT WAS EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO CHANGING ANY SPARK PLUGS AND THEREFORE CAN NOT BE DEEMED TO BE A CAUSE OF IMPROPER TORQUING, ETC. A HELI-COIL WAS USED TO REPAIR THE SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT, ONLY TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT AGAIN AT A LATER DATE. THIS TIME THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE DAMAGED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT WAS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE BOTH IN COST OF REPAIR, AND IN THE SEVERITY OF THE MALFUNCTION. I AM VERY DISTURBED TO HEAR THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND NUMBER OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY PROPER RECOGNITION OR ACTION BY FORD. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO DRAW MORE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND PERHAPS GET SOME FEDERAL ACTION AGAINST FORD FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT OWNERS LIKE ME SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE REPAIRS DONE AND THE STRESS/INCONVENIENCE ENCOUNTERED DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10236576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,833 milesMargate, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 FORD MUSTANG GT APPEARS TO HAVE CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE SYSTEM, AND IS LOSING COOLANT. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 MUSTANG GT, AND THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFO RELATING TO THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1999.
NHTSA complaint #10212665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesTulsa, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT DETECTED A FAINT BURNING SMELL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT IS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 29,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10191058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,850 milesIrmo, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE WAS A SLIGHT TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY THAT I THOUGHT WAS AN EXHAUST LEAK. EVENTUALLY THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD STRIPPING THE TOP THREADS OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD. IN ORDER TO FIX THE CAR, I HAD TO HAVE A LOCAL SHOP HELICOIL THE HEAD TO ADD THREADS TO THE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10174364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coldwater, MS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CAR WAS LEAKING COOLANT OUT OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND O-RING GASKET, I DISCOVERED THAT THE LEDGE THAT THE O-RING SITS ON HAD BROKEN OFF AND FELL INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE THERMOSTAT COULD NOT BE PUT IN CORRECTLY WITHOUT COOLANT SPILLING EVERYWHERE. THE ONLY REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT COSTS 800+ DOLLARS.
NHTSA complaint #10170235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSaint Petersburg, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FORD SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT 4.6 L MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10164047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,400 milesSAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
(7/23/06) 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT, 4.6L BLEW SPARK PLUG FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS BACK IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING ON THE 15 FREEWAY HEADING SOUTH AT ABOUT 8:00 PM. STOP TO GET GAS AND UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MY WAY HOME IT MADE LOUD POP AND THEN CONTINUED TO POP, POP, POP. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEM, BUT UPON THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY NOTED THAT THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG HAD BLEW OUT OF THE PISTON. THEY REPAIRED IT FOR ABOUT $ THE SECOND TIME WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE NUMBER TWO SPARK PLUG (ALL THIS BEING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) BLEW OUT. NO DAMAGE TO THE THREADS AND A NEW SET OF SPARK PLUGS WERE PUT INTO THE VEHICLE ALL AROUND. THEN ON SUNDAY EVENING, JULY 23RD 2006, THE SAME NUMBER 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AGAIN; THIS TIME TAKING ALL THE THREADS WITH IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPAIR SHOP TO RE-THREAD THE PISTON. I AM SURE THEY WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW COIL AS WELL; SINCE IT BROKE OFF AT THE PLACE OF WERE IT IS BOLTED TO THE HEAD. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON TUESDAY, JULY 25TH 2006 AND SPOKE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AND BASICALLY WAS GIVEN A NOT OUR PROBLEM ATTITUDE. THIS IS APPALLING THAT SUCH A LARGE COMPANY AS FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED AT OVER $3000.00! I AM NOT HAPPY WITH FORD AND WILL NOT BUY FROM THEM AGAIN. I WAS A HUGE FORD FAN; WHEN ANYONE WOULD TRY TO DISCREDIT THEM I WOULD BACK THEM ALL THE WAY! NOT ANY MORE THEY DON'T BACK THEIR CUSTOMERS. I GUESS FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO LOYALTY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS WHAT SO EVER! SO I SHALL NO LONGER BE LOYAL TO THEM. I WILL BE BUYING A CHEVY OR OTHER VEHICLE THAT HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH THE FORD NAME, AS SOON AS THIS IS FIXED. SHE'S BEING TRADED IN ASAP!
NHTSA complaint #10163438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,400 milesSAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
(7/23/06) 1999 FORD MUSTANG GT, 4.6L BLEW SPARK PLUG FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS BACK IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING ON THE 15 FREEWAY HEADING SOUTH AT ABOUT 8:00 PM. STOP TO GET GAS AND UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MY WAY HOME IT MADE LOUD POP AND THEN CONTINUED TO POP, POP, POP. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEM, BUT UPON THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THEY NOTED THAT THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG HAD BLEW OUT OF THE PISTON. THEY REPAIRED IT FOR ABOUT $ THE SECOND TIME WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE NUMBER TWO SPARK PLUG (ALL THIS BEING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) BLEW OUT. NO DAMAGE TO THE THREADS AND A NEW SET OF SPARK PLUGS WERE PUT INTO THE VEHICLE ALL AROUND. THEN ON SUNDAY EVENING, JULY 23RD 2006, THE SAME NUMBER 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AGAIN; THIS TIME TAKING ALL THE THREADS WITH IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPAIR SHOP TO RE-THREAD THE PISTON. I AM SURE THEY WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW COIL AS WELL; SINCE IT BROKE OFF AT THE PLACE OF WERE IT IS BOLTED TO THE HEAD. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON TUESDAY, JULY 25TH 2006 AND SPOKE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AND BASICALLY WAS GIVEN A NOT OUR PROBLEM ATTITUDE. THIS IS APPALLING THAT SUCH A LARGE COMPANY AS FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED AT OVER $3000.00! I AM NOT HAPPY WITH FORD AND WILL NOT BUY FROM THEM AGAIN. I WAS A HUGE FORD FAN; WHEN ANYONE WOULD TRY TO DISCREDIT THEM I WOULD BACK THEM ALL THE WAY! NOT ANY MORE THEY DON'T BACK THEIR CUSTOMERS. I GUESS FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NO LOYALTY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS WHAT SO EVER! SO I SHALL NO LONGER BE LOYAL TO THEM. I WILL BE BUYING A CHEVY OR OTHER VEHICLE THAT HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH THE FORD NAME, AS SOON AS THIS IS FIXED. SHE'S BEING TRADED IN ASAP!
NHTSA complaint #10163438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greensboro, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_MANIFOLDS.HTML I FOUND INFO WITH THE ABOVE LINK. WE HAVE A 1999 35TH ANN. EDITION MUSTANG . THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD CRACKED AND SINCE IT IS WITHIN 7 YEARS OF PURCHASE THE DEALER TOWED AND IS FIXING FREE WITH THE INFO FROM THE LINK ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10152481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Royal, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AT THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THUS ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. I MUST PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT + $350.00 FOR TOTAL REPAIR OF PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR YEARS !!!
NHTSA complaint #10152205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,200 milesHenderson, NVCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ACCIDENT HEAD ON AND THEN ROLLED ONCE AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10144192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,500 milesBedford, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
99 FORD MUSTANG GT. 4.6L ENGINE. SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. DEFECTIVE HEAD. COST ME $3000. I UNDERSTAND A CA LAWYER HAS FILED A LAWSUIT OR COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS DEFECT. I WANT IN ON THE ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10142419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMT. Juliet, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR IS LOSING COOLANT THROUGH A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF! ALSO MY CAR SURGES IN RPMS WHEN FIRST STARTING AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE,,,VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10139866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,525 milesClayton, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1) A TICKING NOISE BEGAN COMING FROM THE UPPER MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE. AFTER A MONTH, 2) THE TICKING BECAME A 'TAPPING' THAT BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER. ENROUTE TO HAVE IT EXAMINED BY A LOCAL PERFORMANCE SHOP, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND SIMILAR TO A GUN SHOT AND AN INSTANT LOSS IN POWER. THIS OCCURRED AT 2000 RPM. UPON EXAMINATION, THE SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN EJECTED FROM THE 2ND FROM THE LAST CYLINDER ON THE PASS. SIDE BANK. SUCH FORCE WAS EXHIBITED THAT THE MOUNTING TAB OF THE IGNITION COIL WAS BROKEN AND THE COIL WAS SHATTERED. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE HEAD ITSELF, THE PLUG THREADS WERE COMPLETELY STRIPPED. 3)TRUE BLUE PERFORMANCE, A MUSTANG SPECIALTY SHOP, EXAMINED THE PARTS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE ONLY REMEDY VIABLE WAS TO REPLACE THE HEAD, PLUG, AND COIL.
NHTSA complaint #10138379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Ellyn, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THIS PAST MAY, AFTER DRIVING A 1999 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE 50,000 MILES IT WAS INADVERTENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAD ONLY ONE OF TWO BOLT HOLDING THAT ENTIRE SYSTEM TO THE FRAME OF THIS CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THIS 4 INCH BOLT WAS NEVER FASTENED TO THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THIS CAR WAS INSPECTED A DOZEN TIMES BY THE DEALER. THIS APPARENTLY DANGEROUS DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED BY AN INDEPENDENT BRAKE SHOP NOT FORD. SINCE MAY OF 2005 THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE AWAITING SOME ANSWER BY FORD; NOT UNTIL FOLLOW-UP CALLS WERE RECENTLY PLACED TO FORD DID FORD RESPOND. FORD'S ONLY RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IS TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, THE SAME DEALER THAT INSPECTED IT A DOZEN TIMES. FORDS APPARENT LACK OF CONCERN IS TROUBLING. ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO DRIVE. IN MAY OF 2005, FORD WAS IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED AND ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE GIVEN THE STRESS TO THE REMAINING STEEL COMPONENTS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. TWO FOLLOW UP CALLS WERE IGNORED; A LETTER TO WM. C. FORD WAS IGNORED. AS FORD'S RESPONSE IS AWAITED, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLACED IN STORAGE IN THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A DANGER TO DRIVE. NOT KNOWING WHETHER THIS IS A FLUKE OR NOT, YOUR OFFICE IS BEING CONTACTED. GIVEN THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IF THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, YOUR OFFICE'S INVESTIGATORS ARE WELCOME TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS FIXED BY A COMPANY OTHER THAN FORD. YOUR RESPONSE IS WELCOME, THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10136047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,473 milesHalstead, KS
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
DT: THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE H BLEW UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE TIRE CAUSED THE TRIP WIRE TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL. AFTER CONSUMER'S HUSBAND PUSHED A RESET BUTTON THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS A CONVERTIBLE. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS PULLED BACK ON THE LEFT SIDE BY THE EXPLOSION, AND THE TRUNK LID WAS PUSHED. BEFORE THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE TRUNK AND THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRE OUT. AFTER CLEANING THE TRUNK OUT SHE PUT THE TIRE BACK IN, AND HAD NOT USED IT. A WEEK LATER IT BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE MAY 2005. SHE WAS UNSURE IF IT WAS USED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING IN THE TRUNK AREA SINCE THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10132244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,564 milesBaltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CRACK ON THE PLASTIC INTAKE MINFOLD AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ON THE ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MUST BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS RECALLED THE FAULTY INTAKE MINIFOLDS ON ALL FLEET VEHICLES BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!
NHTSA complaint #10130151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,564 milesBaltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CRACK ON THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ON THE ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MUST BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS RECALLED THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLDS ON ALL FLEET VEHICLES BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FOR PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!!!
NHTSA complaint #10130152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.