NHTSA Complaint #10134755 — 1998 FORD CONTOUR

MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 5/15/97 BUT IS TITLED AS A 1998 VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR VEHICLES FOR A PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION FALLS OFF THE UNDERHOOD WIRING. MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT THAT BARE COPPER WIRING IS EXPOSED AT EVERY CONNECTOR UNDER THE HOOD AND I AM SURE IN PLACES THAT ARE NOT VISIBLE AS WELL. IF THESE WIRES CONTACT EACH OTHER, POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING, LOSS OF LIGHTING, COOLING AND EVEN ENGINE FIRES ARE POSSIBLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS TITLED AS A 1998 EVEN THOUGH IT WWAS MANUFACTURED IN 1997 WITH THE SAME PARTS AS THE VEHICLES THEY ARE OFFERING TO REPAIR. I AM REFERING TO THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION 99M03 WHICH CALLS FOR ALL WIRING HARNESSES TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. MY LOCAL FORD EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY FOR THE ONTINUED SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE VIN IN HIS SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF THE TITLE YEAR, (1998 BUT BUILT IN 1997 WITH 1997 PARTS). THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON ARE REFUSING TO MAKE GOOD ON MY VEHICLE. *NM