NHTSA Complaint #10033186 — 2000 MERCURY SABLE

LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH WAS RESULT OF BACK FIRE BLOWING OUT UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CONDITION IS ADRESSED IN FORD OWNER NOTIFICATION 00B38 (AFFECTING 2000 SABLE AND TAURUS WITH 3.0L DURATEC ENGINE) IN WHICH FORD AGREED TO REPROGRAM THE PCM TO PREVENT THIS BACKFIRE AND RUPTURED INAKE CONDITION. PROGRAM WAS ONLY OPEN FROM APRIL 2000 TO APRIL 2001. OBVIOUSLY THIS CAR WAS NEVER REPROGRAMMED DUE TO LACK MAILING ISSUE OR CHANGE OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE UNREPAIRED PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK TO AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE PERSONEL WORKING IN THE AREA WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN. THE BLAST OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE PIECES IS OF SUCH A VIOLENT NATURE THAT EVEN THE UNDERHOOD INSULATION IS DAMAGED. BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD ALL BE REPRGRAMMED REGARDLESS OF DATE. *AK