NHTSA Complaint #10493345 — 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY

THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A SAFETY RECALL BY NHTSA (12V006). THE PART INVOLVED (TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT) IN THE RECALL FAILED IN MARCH 2011, LONG BEFORE THE RECALLED WAS INITIATED. AT THE TIME, I WAS TOLD BY A FORD SERVICE CENTER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT HAD FAILED. THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS DONE. WHEN THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL AND I WENT TO FORD SERVICE CENTER, THEY GAVE US A REFUND FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WAS AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE JUST THE TORQUE CONVERTER, NOT THE WHOLE REPAIR. SINCE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE THE RECALL, THE UNSAFE PART IS STILL IN MY VEHICLE. FORD NOW REFUSES TO REPLACE THE UNSAFE PART BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT NHTSA AGREED TO ONLY AUTHORIZE ONE FIX PER VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE VEHICLE MADE SAFE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE THE CASE FOR A SAFETY RECALL? THE OLDER, UNSAFE PART CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME, JUST LIKE IT DID THE FIRST TIME WHEN IT FAILED ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO A CONGESTED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR WITH SCHOOL CARPOOL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. NHTSA SHOULD AUTHORIZED AN AMENDMENT TO THE RECALL TO REPLACE ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR