NHTSA Complaint #10345940 — 2010 FORD FLEX

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2010 FORD FLEX, WITH A CLASS III TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. THE PACKAGE,ACCORDING TO FORD'S BROCHURE IS SUPPOSED TO INCLUDE A TIRE MOBILITY KIT. THE KIT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS ESSENTIALLY MADE UP OF AN AIR COMPRESSOR AND A CAN OF SEALANT COMPOUND USED TO PLUG A HOLE IN A TIRE. THEREFORE THE COMPRESSOR INJECTS THE SEALANT COMPOUND,WHILE INFLATING THE TIRE. ON PAGE 309, OF THE OWNER'S GUIDE, IS THE FOLLOWING WARNING: " WARNING: WHEN TOWING A TRAILER, USE THE TEMPORARY MOBILITY KIT AND NOT THE MINI SPARE TIRE IF NECESSARY. THE MINI SPARE TIRE IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE HIGHER TOWING LOAD LIMITS OF THIS VEHICLE. WHEN TOWING HEAVY LOADS WITH THE MINI SPARE TIRE, VEHICLE HANDLING MAY BE DIMINISHED, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY." MY CAR IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE TIRE MOBILITY KIT, AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELLS ME, "IF YOUR CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE, IT WILL NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH THE TIRE MOBILITY KIT". IT SEEMS STUPID TO ME, AND PERHAPS CRIMINAL, THAT THEY INCLUDE THE WARNING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND REFUSE TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT THEY CLAIM TO BE NECESSARY, AND WHICH THEY CLAIM IS INCLUDED IN THEIR SALES BROCHURE. INCIDENTALLY, IT TOOK THE SALESMAN TWO WEEKS TO COME UP WITH FORD'S EXPLANATION, AND HE SAID, "IT'S ALL HUSH HUSH". *TR