NHTSA Complaint #10430656 — 2007 FORD MUSTANG

WENT TO DRIVE MY 3 AND A HALF YEAR OLD MUSTANG TO WORK THE OTHER DAY AFTER A BIG RAINSTORM. NOTICED A MUSTY MOLD SMELL BUT ASSUMED IT WAS NOTHING. AS I DROVE MY CAR UP MY DRIVEWAY, (A SLIGHT INCLINE) GALLONS OF WATER SPILLED OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. USED A CARPET EXTRACTOR TO VACUUM UP OVER 2 GALLONS OF WATER (NO KIDDING, EMPTIED 1 GALLON EXTRACTOR TANK 3 TIMES) BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A REPAIR THAT WAS OUTLINED IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD, BUT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIR -AND THAT THE GEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE WATER HAD POURED INTO AND DAMAGED IT. THE PRICE FOR THIS, NOT INCLUDING REPLACING THE RUINED CARPET AND PAD OR THE RUSTED SEAT MOUNTING BRACKETS WAS OVER $1100. IT SAYS RIGHT IN THE TSB FROM FORD THAT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSED BY GAPS IN THE SEALANT AROUND DRAINAGE GROMMETS INSIDE THE FIREWALL, YET SOMEHOW THIS IS THE CUSTOMERS PROBLEM??? RESEARCHING ONLINE I'VE ENCOUNTERED HUNDREDS OF HORROR STORIES FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE, BUT FORD HAS BEEN DENYING THIS SINCE AT LEAST 2005. (6 YEARS!!) THEY NEED TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AS IT IS PAINFULLY OBVIOUS THAT THEY REFUSE TO DO SO VOLUNTARILY... THE 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE IS NOW A MOLDY HEALTH HAZARD AND I'M TOLD THAT IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGIN.THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ME A FORUM TO VENT MY FRUSTRATIONS OVER MY "SWAMP BUGGY" AS I HAVE GOTTEN NO SATISFACTION ANYWHERE ELSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR