NHTSA Complaint #10070630 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

FLANGE BRAKAGE ON THE EGR VALVE ASSEMBLY. THE PIPE BREAKS AT THE FLANGE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE SIDE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CAUSEING A SPUTTING SOUND AND EMITTING EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE AUTOMOBILE. IT ALSO CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH (3) SENSORS. I CALLED THE SERVICE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT AT THREE LOCAL DEALERS AND WAS TOLD BY ALL THREE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PART BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. SO I HAD TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED WITH A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE PART. BUT IF THIS IS COMMON WHATS TO SAY AFTER A YEAR IT WILL BREAK AGAIN? THE PART IS NOT WELL MADE AS IT'S MADE OUT OF COPPER WITH A SMALL WELD AT THE FLANGE. I HAVE BEEN TO OTHER FOCUS OWNERS GROUP SITES AND FOUND SEVERAL HAD SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD BE THANKFUL FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS MATTER. JOHN GARNER