NHTSA Complaint #10135161 — 2004 FORD F-350 SD

WE PURCHASED 4, 2004 F-350 FORD DIESEL 6.0 LITER AMBULANCE CONVERSIONS. ALL 4 VEHICLES ARE HAVING REOCCURRING ENGINE FAILURES. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN ON SOME OF THE VEHICLES AT LOW MILEAGE. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO "PATCH" THE ENGINE PROBLEM. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH SEVERAL OTHER AMBULANCE SERVICES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE FAILURE OF THESE ENGINES WHILE TRANSPORTING CRITICAL PATIENTS CREATS A VERY RISKY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE PATIENTS AND A HUGH LIABILITY ISSUE FOR THE PARAMEDICS AND OUR COMPANY.LAST NIGHT ANOTHER ENGINE FAILED WHILE TRANSPORTING AN 18 YEAR OLD WITH A BROKEN NECK TO A HIGHER LEVEL HOSPITAL. THE DELIVERY OF THE PATIENT WAS DELAYED UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE ANOTHER AMBULANCE SERVICE HAD TO BE CALLED AND WAITED ON TO GET TO MY CREW TO TRANSPORT THE PATIENT. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EACH TIME I SENT ONE OF THESE AMBULANCES ON A TRIP. NOT ONLY IS THE PATIENT PLACED IN DANGER, BUT MY COMPANY IS QUICKLY GETTING AN UNFAVORABLY REPUTATION BECAUSE OF THESE BREAKDOWNS. THIS IS COSTING US BUSINESS. MY PARAMEDICS ARE REFUSING TO DRIVE THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF LIABILITY THAT THEY MAY HAVE KNOWING THE MECHANICAL HISTORY OF THESE VEHICLES. ALL OF THE TRUCKS ARE STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. FORD HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST IN HELPING US WITH THIS ISSUE. EVEN IF THE ENGINES MAKE IT TO 100,000 MILES , I KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT LAST MUCH PAST THAT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. WE ARE PAYING GOOD MONEY OUT EACH MONTH FOR VEHICLES THAT WILL NOT DO THE JOB . THE GEORGIA LEMON LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO US . HELP!