NHTSA Complaint #10261336 — 2006 FORD ESCAPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE UPON ACCELERATION. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IN A STRAIGHT POSITION AND THE VEHICLE MOVED IN REVERSE, BUT NOT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER, THE TOW RINGS SLIPPED AND DETACHED FROM THE TOW ROD, WHICH PROCEEDED TO PULL THE FRAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND SHEARED OFF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE VEHICLE'S FAILURE TO START IN COLD WEATHER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 3/24/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A TOW HITCH AND TOW SUPPORTS THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME SUPPORT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PULLED OUT OF A SNOW EMBANKMENT. UPDATED 03/27/09. *JB