NHTSA Complaint #10244310 — 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

I JUST PURCHASED A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD AND HAVE BECOME AWARE OF A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE FATAL TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I HAVE LEARNED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2005 FOR THE COIL OVER PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEM, BUT NOT FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. A MAJORITY OF 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRDS WERE PRODUCED IN MODEL YEAR 2002. I FURTHER LEARNED THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED COP FAILURES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THEIR CARS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE AND WITHOUT NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. CLEARLY THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY AT BEST, AND MORTAL AT WORST. IN ADDITION TO BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THERE IS AN EQUITY ISSUE AS WELL. REPAIRS COST OWNERS OF 2002 THUNDERBIRDS IN EXCESS OF $1,500 BUT OWNERS OF NEWER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. I HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL CORRECT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD AND ITS 2002 THUNDERBIRD: HIGHWAY SAFETY AND EQUITY. THANK YOU. *TR