NHTSA Complaint #10510087 — 2008 FORD F-450 SD

2008 FORD F-450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RADIATOR FAILURE AND DENIED WARRANTY CLAIM. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING A 27-FOOT TRAILER, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT FROM NORMAL TO COMPLETELY HOT, AND A DIGITAL TEMPERATURE GAUGE LIT UP. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. HE ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR AND PROCEEDED ONCE AGAIN TO DRIVE THE TRUCK, AND TRAILER, TO THE NEXT EXIT. THE CONSUMER ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL, ADDED MORE WATER AND SOME STOP LEAK INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE EXTENDED SERVICE CARRIER INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD HONOR THE RADIATOR CLAIM, BUT FIRST THEY REQUESTED THE DEALER TO BREAK DOWN THE MOTOR, INSPECT AND TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SEND THEM IN FOR ANALYSIS. AN ADJUSTER FROM AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY PERFORMED A THOROUGH VEHICLE INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NO COOLANT/WATER IN THE ENGINE. THE INSPECTOR FURTHER CONCLUDED THE CAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING WAS A FAILED RADIATOR RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT AND THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE DAMAGE WAS CONTINUED OPERATION OF AN OVERHEATED VEHICLE DUE TO LACK OF PROPER FLUIDS.