NHTSA Complaint #10574965 — 2005 FORD FREESTYLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2014 AND ADVISED THE DEALER DURING A TEST DRIVE THERE WAS A NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE BELT AND STATED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT IN OR OUT GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST; HOWEVER, INSTEAD THE DEALER PROVIDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A POTENTIAL CRASH. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MECHANIC POSSESSION FROM FEBRUARY 26, 2014 TO MARCH 19, 2014; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS REFERRED TO THE CONTACT BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER GAVE THE MECHANIC A TRANSMISSION WITH NO WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THERE IS A LIMITED WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,439.