1991 MERCURY SABLE Structure Problems

I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MOVED TO A ONE O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE THE WHEELS WERE POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD. MY ALIGNMENT SHOP INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE CAUSE WAS A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME MOUNTING BOLT ANCHOR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (98S36) I DEMAND AN ANSWER AS WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

NORTHPORT FORD IN COMMACK, NY FAILED TO PROPERLY PERFORM SAFETY RECALL 98S36 FOR THE SUBFRAME ON MY 1991 MERCURY SABLE. THE SUBFRAME SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE FREE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR MOUNTS, TRANSMISSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER IN PATCHOGUE NY. FORD AGREED TO REINSTATE THE RECALL FOR THE DEALER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER CALLED FORD WITH THE PRICE OF THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE AND FORD WITHDREW THE OFFER TO REPAIR. THEY WANTED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK AT A PRICE THEY DECIDED ON. I AM ON DISABILITY WITH A WORK RELATED ACCIDENT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY VEHICLE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE BUYOUT PRICE FORD WANTS TO GIVE ME. I FEEL THAT THIS ACCURED DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY AND FORD SHOULD DEAL WITH THAT DEALERSHIP AND FIX MY VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE.*AK

Mileage: 130,000

THE LEFT REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNT BROKE. THE RIGHT REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. *NLM

THE CONSUMER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL # 98-V-323-000 WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

SUBFRAME IS DETACHING FROM MOTOR, AND IS CORRODED. CONSUMER TOOK CAR INTO DEALER ON SEPT 20, 1999, FOR RECALL ON SUBFRAME. HOW COULD IT BE CORRODED SO FAST.*AK

LIFTGATE HAD CHRONIC DIFFICULTY CLOSING SECURELY, BEGINNING AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. DEALER ADVISED ME TO ADJUST STRIKER POSITION. EVENTUALLY PROBLEM WORSENED UNTIL LIFTGATE WOULD NOT CLOSE SECURELY DESPITE STRIKER ADJUSTMENT. PLASTIC TRIM PIECE COVERING LIFTGATE STILL WAS REMOVED REVEALING THAT THE SHEET METAL STILL (PART NUMBER 8D74) WAS FRACTURED AROUND THE STRIKER ADJUSTMENT OPENING, CAUSING STRIKER TO MOVE WHEN LIFTGATE WAS CLOSED, PREVENTING LIFTGATE FROM CLOSING AROUND STRIKER. I CALLED DEALER TO ALERT THEM TO THIS DEFECT; DEALER STATED THEY KNEW OF NO TSBS (TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETINS) ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. I THEN CALLED FORD-MERCURY CUSTOMER SERVICE; THEY STATED THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE THEIR "FINAL DECISION" WAS THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY. (REPAIR COSTS, AS ESTIMATED BY A BODY SHOP, WERE $315.) I SUBMIT THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR & TEAR" PROBLEM, BUT A SAFETY DEFECT. MY SAFETY CONCERNS: 1/UNSECURED LIFTGATE ALLOWS CARBON MONOXIDE FROM EXHAUST TO ENTER CAR WHILE DRIVING, ENDANGERING ALL OCCUPANTS; 2/UNSECURED LIFTGATE CAN BOUNCE OPEN WHEN DRIVING, ENDGANGERING OCCUPANTS OF REAR-FACING SEAT; 3/UNSECURED LIFTGATE EXPOSES CONTENTS OF PARKED CAR, AND CAR ITSELF, TO THEFT. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. FORD-MERCURY WAS QUITE UNRESPONSIVE AND INDIFFERENT ABOUT ADDRESSING AND CORRECTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE, AND WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

BODY MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (98V323000) WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS. *YC

DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL WORK (98V-323) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. MJS

FAILURE OF RECALL COMPONENT (98V-323) CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SLIPAGE & LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION NECESSARY, HOWEVER CONTINUED PROBLEMS. *YC

AFTER HAVING RECALL 98S36 REPAIRES DONE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE SERVICED AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BODY MOUNTS BROKE AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN COTACTED.*AK

ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL DUE TO BEING LOOSE, HOWEVER RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MOTOR MOUNTS, ONLY SUBFRAME MOUNTS. (98V-323)

BODY MOUNTS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL. (98V-323), ALSO REPLACED INNER/OUTER TIE ROD AND THE DRIVE AXLE.

FRONT CRADLE BOLT FAILED.

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE REAR MOUNT BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME DUE TO CORROSION, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. *AK THE CUSTOMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT WERE ON RECALL 93V106002. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CUSTOMER. *YH

THE SUB-FRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE BROKE, CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING AS IN RECALL # 93V106/ DATED 16-NOV-93. MANUFACTURER/DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. *AK

REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (93V-106.002). *AK

HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER IS FALLING OFF . OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION . ONE CAN'T SEE THAT THE HATCHBACK IS FALLING OFF UNLESS PULLING UP THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MPH, WHEN COMSUMER'S SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BOLT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL AND CB JOINT FELL ONE AT A TIME. WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE ENGINE DROPPED WITH THE CRADLE. COMSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON THOSE BOLTS. [ RECALL NUMBER 92S61]. THE VEHICLE APPLIED TO THE RECALL , BUT THE VIN DID NOT SHOW ON THAT RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER THINKS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK ENGINE CRADLE FALLING CAUSED DAMAGE TO RACK AND PINION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *SLC

BODY MOUNT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED BY DEALER.

TIGHTENED LOOSE FRONT DOOR HINGES.