NHTSA Complaint #10491645 — 2006 MERCURY MILAN

PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH MY SON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IT (THE HANDLE) BROKE IN HALF AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY OR SAFELY. I BEGAN TO PANIC AS I FELT TRAPPED. SO I ROLLED DOWN THE POWER WINDOW FOR AIR AND TO CALM DOWN. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO THINK CLEARLY AND TRY OPENING THE DOOR WITH THE EXTERIOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE, I EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER WINDOW. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE HANDLES ARE A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON ALL 4 INTERIOR DOORS. SOMEONE WILL NEED TO EXIT THEIR VEHICLE QUICKLY. IF THIS HAPPENS THEY ARE SLOWED DOWN IF NOT TRAPPED INSIDE. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE? FORD HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND RE INSTALLS THE SAME DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLES AT THE DEALERS. THIS SHOWS A LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE ON FORD MOTOR COMPANIES PART. MANY FORD FUSION & MERCURY MILAN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN ON THE REPLACEMENT HANDLES ALSO. *TR