NHTSA Complaint #10151483 — 2003 MERCURY SABLE

I OWN A 2003 MERCURY SABLE PLATINUM EDITION. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOUR FLAT TIRES IN THE LAST YEAR WITH THIS VEHICLE (2/2005 TO 2/2006). THE FIRST THREE I HAD REPAIRED AT A LOCAL TIRE STORE, AS I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE VEHICLE'S ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN EACH CASE THE WHEELS CORRODED AROUND THE SEALING BEAD, OR THE VALVE STEM CAUSING AN AIR LEAK. THE CORROSION OCCURS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE WHEEL, HIDDEN FROM SIGHT. THE ONLY CLUE IS WHEN THE TIRES BEGIN TO LOSE PRESSURE. THE FIRST FLAT TIRE OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2005. THE SECOND AND THIRD HAPPENED IN MARCH AND APRIL OF 2005 RESPECTIVELY. FINALLY THE THREE WHEELS THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND THE FOURTH BEGAN LEAKING, AND IN SEPTEMBER 2005 I HAD ALL FOUR OF THE WHEELS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER. IN DECEMBER OF 2005 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE TIRE INFLATION PROBLEMS AGAIN, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. CURRENTLY I AM FORCED TO CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE DAILY, AND FILL THE TIRES EACH TWO TO THREE DAYS. THE LAST FLAT TIRE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 23, 2006, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TIRE FILLED BEFORE IT TOTALLY DEFLATED. PLEASE NOTE THIS VEHICLE (PLATINUM EDITION) COMES EQUIPPED WITH SPECIAL WHEELS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE NORMAL LS EDITION. I FEEL THAT THIS CONDITION IS HORRIBLY UNSAFE, AND AT THIS POINT I AM BEGINNING TO FEAR THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME UNDRIVABLE.*JB