NHTSA Complaint #10554563 — 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER

WATER LEAKAGE IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IS A HEALTH HAZARD DUE TO MOLD ISSUES, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. SICKNESS FROM MOLD CAN BE A LIFELONG AFFLICTION. IT IS A HEALTH SAFETY ISSUE. WATER LEAKING INTO THE INTERIOR OF A CAR, WHETHER BY DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY OR DEFECTIVE DESIGN, SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD (AND PROBABLY OTHER MAKE) VEHICLES THAT HAVE MOONROOFS OR SUNROOFS. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO STOP THIS. FORD'S IMPLICIT DENIAL OF BLAME IS A MORAL FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT TO FORD... WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SALES OR SERVICE ISSUE?:MY 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS BEEN LEAKING IN THE INTERIOR FROM A KINKED MOONROOF DRAIN HOSE. I TOOK IT TO A BODYSHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE DRAIN HOSE WAS PERMANENTLY KINKED FROM SLOPPY ASSEMBLY. THE DRAIN HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHAT ACTION HAS YOUR DEALER TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?:MY DEALER SAW THE DRAIN HOSE AND AGREED IT WAS A FACTORY ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THEY GAVE ME THE 1-800-392-3673 AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT THAT NUMBER FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROTOCOL OR RECALL TO ADDRESS THE DRAIN HOSE ISSUE. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. WHAT ASSISTANCE ARE YOU SEEKING FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY?:FORD SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE DRAIN HOSE. $272.85. THERE WERE OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS MOLD WHICH I WAS ABLE TO FIX MYSELF. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE DRAIN HOSE. I AM CERTAIN THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE AN AFFADAVIT THAT THIS WAS AN ASSEMBLY DEFECT. I CAN ALSO SEND A PHOTO. ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YES VIN : [XXX] MILEAGE : 150000 WHERE IS YOUR VEHICLE NOW : INPOSSESSION HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE DEALER :YES DEALER NAME : WESTLIE FORD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR