1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

REFERENCE ODI ID 752976 - I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE AND FAILURE OF THE SAME EQUIPMENT AND PARTS DESCRIBED IN THE REFERENECED COMPLAINT. THESE ARE LATENT DESIGN/MATERIAL/MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD, UNDER WARRANTY, THAT THE SHUDDER WAS DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS. THIS APPARENTLY WAS INCORRECT. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS JUST OVER 100,000 MI, FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. THE DEALER TO THEIR CREDIT IS TRYING TO CORRECT THE SHUDDER PROBLEM BY SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION WITH ADDITIVES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKING IS A DESIGN/MATERIAL DEFECT WHICH WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ALTHOUGH I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT COOLANT ODOR SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN WARRANTY. FORD SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE WITH ME ON THE COST OF REPAIR, THEY SHOULD HAVE SHOLDERED THE ENTIRE COST. NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM WHICH FORD, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER, IT HAS A TENDENCY TO CRACK INTERNALLY AND CAUSE A HARD PEDAL. THIS DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED ON MY WIFE'S MERCURY SABLE AT ABOUT 38,000-MI AND NOW IS BE EXHIBITED ON MY CROWN VICTORIA. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT AT HIGH SPEED COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, LOSS OF CONTROL IN A PANIC STOP BECAUSE THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO EXERT AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF OF PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ACTIVATE THE ABS. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD AS A GENERAL POLICY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEMS ON VEHICLES OVER 100,000 MI. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD NOT HAVE INDEMNITY RELIEF ON SAFETY ISSUES AND LATENT DEFECTS.*AK

ON APRIL 15, 2003 I TOOK MY 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (VIN [XXX]) TO THE BILL CURRIE FORD DEALERSHIP IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, FOR SERVICING. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE WORN OUT (2 MM REMAINING) WHILE THE FRONT BRAKE PAD WEAR WAS NORMAL (8 MM REMAINING). THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS CHECKED AND NO MALFUNCTION WAS DETECTED. I NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND RECEIVED NO VIABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE REAR BRAKES. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP VIA EMAIL AS REQUESTED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND RECEIVED ONLY AN AUTOMATED REPLY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY INDICATED THAT MY REPORT TO THEM WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THEIR ENGINEERING DIVISION (I BELIEVE) BUT I HAVE RECEIVED NO FURTHER RESPONSE. I AM VERY MUCH CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN AS YET UNDETECTED BRAKING SYSTEM PROBLEM SINCE IT WOULD BE NORMAL FOR THE FRONT BRAKE PADS TO WERE OUT FIRST. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THAT PROBLEM ESCALATES, THEN ALL THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN JEOPARDY. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 22,003

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WHILE DRIVING NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

CONTINOUS SQUEALING AND GRINDING BRAKES 4 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT, NO RELIEF. *AK

CONTINOUS SQUEALING AND GRINDING BRAKES 4 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT, NO RELIEF. *AK

FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. UNABLE TO HAVE THEM TURNED. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES ON A DAMP ROAD VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION.VEHICLE WILL BE CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKES WENT BAD, THEY WERE RUBBING METAL TO METAL AND MAKING A WINDING NOISE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BECAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WENT BAD, AND THEY REPLACED IT. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT.*AK

BRAKES WENT BAD, THEY WERE RUBBING METAL TO METAL AND MAKING A WINDING NOISE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BECAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WENT BAD, AND THEY REPLACED IT. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT.*AK

EXPERIENCING CHRONIC BRAKE FADE / LOW BRAKE PEDAL / VIBRATION COMING OFF FREEWAY/ DEALERSHIP SERVICE CLAIMS TO HAVE CHECKED BRAKE SYSTEM / SAYS THIS IS NORMAL / CONCERNED. *AK

THE INNER FENDER PROTECTION IS COMPLETELY INADEQUATE, ALLOWING ROAD SALT TO COMPLETELY COVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND WIRING. THE SUSPENSION, MASTER CYCLINDER, FUEL INJECTION, AND OTHER PARTS ARE COATED COMPLETELY. THIS COULD CAUSE DETERIORATIONG AND FAILURE OF THE ENGINE POSSIBLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, BUT REFUSING TO FIX THE SITUATION. THEY STATED IF SOMETHING HAPPENS MY COMPLIANT IS ON FILE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IN THE 5,000 MILES I'VE PUT ON THE CAR I HAVE WASHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOWN 4 TIMES TO PREVENT CORROSION OR FAILURE. YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND COULD PREVENT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE FUTURE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 35-40MPH IN WET WEATHER & APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE PULLING PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTABLE. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCES VIBRATIONS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DUE TO DEFECTIVE ROTORS. ROTOR HAVE BEEN MACHINED 3 TIMES BUT THE VIBRATION RETURNS SLOWLY.

INERTIA SWITCH KEEPS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS , CAUSING ENGINE TO CUT OFF. ALSO,2. FRONT CALIPERS STICK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STEER TO LEFT OR RIGHT. *AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. DEALER REPLACED FRONT PADS. DANGEROUS PULLING CONTINUES, BUT THE BRAKES SQUEAL.

INTERTIA FUEL CUT-OFF ACTIVATED AFTER RUMBLE STRIPS AND A POTHOLE WHILE ON INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP. DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISK PADS THAT WERE "MISMATCHED" AND OCCASIONALLY CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL DURING MODERATELY HARD BRAKING. STEERING WHEEL MAKES CREAKING NOISE THAT COULD/POSSIBLY BE A SIGN THAT AIR BAG CIRCUIT MAY NOT FUNCTION RELIABLY IF NEEDED. *AK