NHTSA Complaint #11084623 — 2002 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE SUSPENSION. PRIOR TO THE TEST DRIVE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC OF SEVERE RUST ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER (ELKHORN MOTORS FORD, 910 N WISCONSIN ST, ELKHORN, WI 53121, (262) 723-2131) WAS CONTACTED AND A SUBSEQUENT VIN SEARCH SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK STRAPS WERE ALSO CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JS