NHTSA Complaint #10149106 — 2005 FORD FREESTYLE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO BE SEATED IN A WHEEL CHAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THE MODIFICATION A PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO LOWER THE RAMP. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY TO ENGAGE THE RAMP FOR EXIT OR ENTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERE THE MOTHER BOARD WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REMOTES DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL MODIFICATION DEALER WERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND WAS DETERMINED THE REMOTES WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A FOREIGN BODY WHICH WAS REMOVED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE FLOORING MATERIALS NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SECURE THE LOCK DOWN FOR THE FRONT SEAT WHEEL CHAIR. THIS PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED TO REMEDY A SECOND PROBLEM THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE EXISTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE MOTHER BOARD BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABILITY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT BOARDS WERE NOT THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FOR USE IN THE CONVERSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE USE OF A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BRAND OF MOTHER BOARD. THE DEALER ORDERED THE NEW MOTHER BOARD AND IS AWAITING SHIPMENT. CURRENTLY THE ONLY WAY THE DOOR AND RAMP CAN BE USED IS BY SOMEONE MANUALLY OPENING THE DOOR AND PULLING OUT THE RAMP. THIS PROCESS RENDERS THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO USE BY THE CONTACT ALONE.