NHTSA Complaint #10074724 — 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY

THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD 1030 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS IN FOR A SAFETY/COURTESY/NEW CAR CHECK AT 600 MILES WHERE THE DEALER SAID HE RETORQUED THE WHEELS. 400 MILES LATER WE HAD A NOISE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM -- THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A TSB ON IT AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. 30 MILES LATER, THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND DAMAGED THE FENDER, DOOR, SUSPENSION, BUMPER FASCIA, ETC. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE TECH DID NOT TAKE THE WHEELS OFF THE VEHICLE BUT DID TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE VAN, MY WIFE ASKED THE SERVICE MGR IF THE VAN WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, HE SAID THE NOISE WAS A NUISANCE BUT SAFE. 30 MILES LATER THE WHELL CAME LOOSE. 2 LUG NUTS CAME OFF, STUDS REMAINED ON VAN. TWO OTHER LUGNUTS HAD THE STUDS WITH THEM AND SHEARED OFF. THE 5TH LUG NUT AND STUD ARE NOT TO BE SEEN OR FOUND. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS HAVE OVAL NOT ROUND HOLES IN 4 OF THE 5 BOLT HOLES. IF THE TECH DID NOT TAKE THE WHEEL OFF AT THE 1000 MILE SERVICE BUT DID RETIGHTEN AT 600 MILES, THEN IN 400 MILES THE WHEEL WORKED LOOSE. THUS WE MAY HAVE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS AND LUGNUTS. THE FEAR IS, HOW DO I KNOW IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER IT IS REPAIRED. *JB