NHTSA Complaint #10978753 — 2013 FORD TAURUS

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE ENGINE TEMP WARNING ACTIVATED. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK, WHICH WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY, AND PARKED. I NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW COOLANT POURING FROM SOMEPLACE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, AND IT WAS INITIALLY DIAGNOSED AS A MISSING FREEZE PLUG. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. NO LEAKS HAD BEEN NOTED DURING PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE AND ALL FLUIDS WERE TOPPED OFF. NO FREEZING TEMPERATURES HAD OCCURRED IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT DEALS WITH MAJOR REPAIRS. WARRANTY COMPANY WAS CONTACTED FOR GUIDANCE AND I WAS INFORMED BY THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS IF THE CRACKS WERE CAUSED BY FREEZING OR OVERHEATING. INSPECTION BY WARRANTY COMPANY PENDING, BUT I HAVE THE FEELING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO WORM THEIR WAY OUT OF COVERING THIS, EVEN TOUGH IT'S THE TOP OF THE LINE WARRANTY AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE "BUMPER TO BUMPER" AND "WORRY-FREE" COVERAGE. I WAS LUCKY THIS HAPPENED TO WHILE I WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A FAMILIAR PLACE TO PARK (MY WORKPLACE). THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY JUST BEFORE EXITING TO A CITY STREET, LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY WORKPLACE. IT HAS NOW BEEN CLOSE TO TWO WEEKS THE THE CAR IS STILL DOWN AND IN NEED OF A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR AT ALL, IT RAN PERFECTLY UP UNTIL THIS ISSUE. FAIR WARNING TO THOSE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AND LOOKING TO BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.