NHTSA Complaint #10132028 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

DT: THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT STOPPED THE CAR AND PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR BILL COST $1000. THE TIE ROD END WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE STRUTS, UPPER BEARING PLATES, FRONT STABILIZER RINGS, TIRE, A NEW RIGHT SIDE AXLE, AND CONTROL ARM. THEY WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS THAT CAUSED THE AFOREMENTIONED FAILURES. IN 11/04 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED BY RECALL LETTER. RECALL REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE IN APRIL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. CONSUMER TOOK REPAIR BILL AND RECALL LETTER TO DEALER, AND THEY SUBMITTED IT TO FORD. HOWEVER, FORD SENT BACK A CHECK FOR $480 BUT NOT THE $1000 THE CONSUMER SPENT. THEY ONLY PAID FOR THE COILS AND SOME OTHER WORK, BUT CLAIMED THAT SOME OF THE OTHER REPAIRS WERE UNNECESSARY. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ATTEMPTING TO FORCE FORD TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE. *AK *JB