NHTSA Complaint #10163733 — 2003 FORD F-250 SD

I HAD A NEAR WRECK IN MY 2003 F250 SUPER DUTY CREW CAB, LARRIAT TRIM PACKAGE WHEN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAB, AND FELL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAB LANDING AT MY FEET, AND INTERFERING WITH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. NO FIRE OR WRECK, BUT CERTAINLY A NEAR MISS. I AM AWARE THAT THE HARD PLASTIC MOLDING AROUND THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS VERY BRITTLE, AND CAN CRACK AND BECOME DISLODGED IN NOT JUST MY TRUCK, BUT MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT I HAVE QUESTIONED REGARDING THIS MATTER. I WAS EVEN INFORMED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP THIS ITEM IN STOCK IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT BECAUSE EVERYONE'S OVERHEAD CONSOLES ARE BREAKING. THIS IS A RATHER LARGE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT CAN INTERFERE WITH THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND IS A SAFTEY MATTER THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. OBVIOUSLY THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF PLASTIC USED TO MOLD THIS CONSOLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A MORE PLYABLE, AND LESS BRITTLE MATERIAL, OR IT SHOULD BE BETTER SECURED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS. *JB