NHTSA Complaint #10070635 — 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER

I WENT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT TODAY ON MY 1997 VILLAGER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, DUE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I WAS INFORMED ALSO THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT IN SPECS, REAR SHIMS WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR TWO WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THESE SHIMS ARE NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, BUT ARE REQUIRED IN ALMOST ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PRICE TAG? A HEFTY $347 PLUS TAX! I HAD TO DECLINE THE REPAIR, I THINK IT IS PATHETIC FOR FORD TO CUT COSTS IN THIS MANNER, ALWAYS PASSING UP QUALITY IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING A BUCK! THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS I PAID 80.00 DOLLARS TODAY FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I THINK FORD/MERCURY SHOULD BE CALLED ON THE CARPET AND REQUIRED TO INSTALL THIS PART ON ALL VILLAGERS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!