NHTSA Complaint #10226851 — 2004 FORD FREESTAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTING FLASHED. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AREA AND CAUSED THE MAIN COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE GAS LINE HAD TO BE BLOWN OUT, AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PRODUCT DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIVING THE CONTACT'S WRITTEN COMPLAINT; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE $1,200 REPAIR COST THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,502.