NHTSA Complaint #10031097 — 1997 MERCURY TRACER

MY GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. HERE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS CONDUCTED ON THE CAR. THE ANALYSIS SAID THERE WAS A MISFIRE IN THE 4TH CYLINDER AND BEFORE WE COULD CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT MERCURY MAKES A PIECE OF JUNK CAR AND THAT THE VALVE SEATS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A POWDERED METAL. IT APPEARS THAT THE VALVE SEAT CRACKED AND DROPPED INTO THE CYLINDER RESULTING IN THE PISTON HAMMERING DOWN INTO THAT CYLINDER AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND WAS KEPT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT THANKS TO THE INCOMPETENT CRAFTMANSHIP OF THE PEOPLE AT MERCURY MY GIRLFRIEND WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENCED (TEMPORALLY AND MOST OF ALL FINANCIALLY) DUE TO THE CHEAPNESS OF THE ENGINE. IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD COMPANY. FOREIGN ALL THE WAY. THANK YOU. SALMAAN TOOR