NHTSA Complaint #10028975 — 2001 FORD ESCAPE

DEAR NTSA: I HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED A SERVICE REPAIR WITH FORD MOTOR. MY PURCHASE OF A NEW 2001 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN MOST TROUBLESOME. I CONTACTED THE FORD HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH I.A.C. VALE CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN RELEASING ACCELERATION PEDAL. I NEVER GOT A SATISFACTORY SERVICE WITH THEIR REP. I MADE MORE THAN 3 PHONES CALL ABOUT THIS EVENT, AND FORD FELT SINCE IT IS OVER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY I AM THEN OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET COST FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT TO THE FORD DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THE FORD DEALER AT MY LOCATION DIAGNOSES AND DETERMINED A DEFECTIVE I.A.C. VALE THAT REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT. THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT INCLUDING LABOR IS $275. I CANT BELIEVE MY SUV IS UNDER 2 YEARS OLD AND IS ALREADY DUE FOR A SERVICE REPAIR. SYMPTOM: DURING THE ACCELERATION AND PASSING OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, I NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AS I MERGED INTO A SLOWER LANE AND RELEASES THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WHILE GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKE. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE A SUDDEN LOST POWER AS THE RPM DROPPED BELOW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR IDLING AND BEGIN TO STALL. OTHER VEHICLES WERE FORCE TO BREAK. THE CAR IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL AND BEING SERVICE AT FORD DEALER. I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND LABOR TOTALING $275. I BELIEVED FORD DOESNT CARE FOR MY SITUATION AS LONG I MAKE ANOTHER FORD PURCHASE. THIS IS ISSUE AFFECTED MY VEHICLE AND MAY SOON AFFECT OTHER VEHICLE AS THEY MEET OR EXCEEDED CERTAIN MILEAGE. SINCERELY CHATT FUDURICH 120 WISTERIA WAY COVINGTON, GA 30016. *AK