NHTSA Complaint #10490663 — 2004 FORD FREESTAR

RETURNING FROM A 'DUMP RUN', I NOTICED THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE 3RD ROW PASSENGER SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, HAD BEEN DISLODGED AND WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. I WENT TO RECONNECT IT AND I FOUND THE LATCH 'FLOATING'. IT WAS NO LONGER PART OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD SEE OUT THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE WELDED PLATE, THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE VAN WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE TIRE FOR DAMAGE, YET. THIS IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ERROR, AS THE LATCH BRACKET USED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER SEAT IN PLACE, NEEDS TO BE A PERMANENT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VAN ISN'T TOO OLD, AND SHOULD LAST MANY MORE YEARS/MILES AND FOR THIS PIECE TO COME LOOSE, IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A QUALITY ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR FEAR OF BEING GOUGED ON THE COST TO REPAIR, WHICH SHOULD BE AT FORD'S COST. IF THIS WAS A PICK UP TRUCK WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS ALL THE TIME, I COULD SEE A RUST ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND GARAGED NIGHTLY, SO IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN - EVER. THE OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE ALL SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PART. RIGHT NOW, I'M USING A STRAP TO HOLD THE PIECE IN PLACE, STRETCHING TO THE LATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COMMENT: THIS VAN HAS HAD TOO MANY QUALITY ISSUES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2006 - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, DRIVER SEAT HEATER REPLACED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MECH. REPLACED, IGNITION REPLACED. *TR