NHTSA Complaint #10120473 — 2002 FORD ESCAPE

SINCE TAKING POSESSION OF A NEW 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLS IN SEPTEMBER 2001, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CUSHIONING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS NOT AS DENSE AS THE CUSHIONING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE LEFT PORTION OF THIS SEAT HAS REMAINED COMPRESSED THROUGH NORMAL DAILY USE, AND WILL NOT SPRING BACK TO MATCH THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THIS HAS CREATED A SOMEWHAT UNLEVEL SEATING POSITION WITH RESPECT TO A DRIVER "LEANING" INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I HAVE JUST NOTICED THAT BECAUSE OF THIS COMPRESSION, CRACKS AND TEARS HAVE FORMED IN THE VINYL UPHOLSTERY TRIM WHERE THE CREASES ARE MOST APPARENT, AND LOOK ONLY TO GET WORSE THROUGH REPEATED USE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS TO THIS SEAT.