NHTSA Complaint #10259979 — 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD

I AM WRITING REGARDING A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD -- AN OTHERWISE GREAT CAR THAT I HAVE LEARNED HAS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT (FOR EXAMPLE, MODEL YEARS 2003 THROUGH 2005) HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. YET THE 2002 MODEL USES THE SAME EQUIPMENT AS THE 2003 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEARS, AND MORE 2002 MODELS WERE SOLD THAN THOSE OF THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THE RESULT OF THIS? 2002 MODEL OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. THANKS IN ADVANCE! *TR