NHTSA Complaint #11301254 — 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

I HAVE ONLY 20,118 ORIGINAL MILES ON MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ULTIMATE. THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLY RUSTED. THE CORROSION LOOKS SCARY. I WANTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM TELL ME IF I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT! NOW, I WASN'T LOOKING FOR FORD TO PAY FOR ANYTHING BUT GET THIS - THEY WANT ME TO PAY THEM A $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO TELL ME IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN! THE 2005 TOWN CAR IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME THING YET FORD IS PAYING FOR THIS. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE. I SEE NOW WHY THEY WANT TO CHARGE FOR THIS INSPECTION BECAUSE THEY KNOW THESE CARS WELL AND ARE AWARE OF THE CORROSION ISSUE WITH THEIR STEERING COMPONENTS. NOW THE I LOOK AT THE TOE-IN TOE-OUT POSITION OF THE FRONT WHEELS ONE WHEEL IS POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND THE OTHER IS TURNED SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM STRAIGHT. IT ISN'T CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS BUT I WANT THIS INSPECTED SO I CAN REPLACE THE PARTS IF NEEDED BUT I'LL BE DOUBLE-DAMNED IF I GIVE THE MORONS $100 JUST TO TELL ME IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. THIS CAR LOOKS LIKE IT IS BRAND NEW ON THE OUTSIDE, THE INTERIOR'S LEATHER HAS NO CREASES...NO ONE HAS EVEN SAT IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT. IT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR TOO. THIS IS WHY I CANNOT BELIEVE THE STEERING COLUMN IS SO FREAKIN RUSTY - IT LOOKS DANGEROUS! I LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM A CAR THAT'S BEEN SITTING IN A JUNK YARD ALL ITS LIFE. NOW I SEE WHY THE LINCOLN CONCIERGE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS CORROSION ISSUE.