NHTSA Complaint #10470216 — 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY

WHEN MY 10 YEAR OLD SON WAS GETTING IN THE CAR TODAY HE NOTICED THAT THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS WOBBLY AND MOVING AROUND. WE SAW THAT THE LATCH THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE WAS NO LONGER THERE! IN ITS PLACE WAS A HOLE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I LOOKED IN THE DRIVERS-SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND SAW THAT THE ENTIRE LATCH ANCHOR PLATE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF! THANKFULLY I NOTICED THIS BEFORE WE GOT ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THE ANCHOR PLATE WAS LAYING LODGED BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE BODY OF THE CAR - WHO KNOWS WHAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR FURTHER DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO OUR OWN VEHICLE OR TO OTHERS WHO COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE PATH OF THE FALLING, DETACHED PLATE. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY VAN SINCE THE REAR SEAT IS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE AND MY CHILDREN ARE TOO YOUNG TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT - NOT TO MENTION THE LARGE, GAPING HOLE IN MY CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE PLATE IS RUSTING THROUGH AS WELL. THIS IS A 2004 AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING SUCH SEVERE RUST ISSUES THAT ENTIRE PIECES OF THE BODY ARE FALLING OFF. *TR