NHTSA Complaint #10234181 — 2006 FORD EXPLORER

I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE . ON 7/7/08, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR (REVERSE) TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I DROVE IT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHILE KEEPING ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE ACCELERATOR. AT THAT POINT, I CALLED FOR A TOW TO A FORD DEALER. ON 7/8/08, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST OR THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PART IS IN GREAT DEMAND OR IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE PRIOR TO THAT ANTICIPATED DATE. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED, IT COULD HAVE A TRAGIC ENDING. HOW MANY OTHER FREESTYLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY WRECKS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE OF A PART? MY VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES, AND IT WAS PURCHASED 8/06. I AM REQUESTING FORD PROVIDE ME WITH A VEHICLE (AT NO EXPENSE TO ME) TO DRIVE UNTIL MY CAR IS REPAIRED. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $650. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STILL HAVING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. FORD HAS OFFERED ME 10 DAYS OF RENTAL WITH THEM PAYING ONLY $27 PER DAY. IT IS ONLY FAIR THEY PROVIDE ME WITH A COMPARABLE CAR RENT FREE. OBVIOUSLY THIS PART IS IN GREAT DEMAND--BUT I PERCEIVE THAT TO BE FORD'S ISSUE--NOT MINE. *TR