NHTSA Complaint #11604065 — 2017 FORD MUSTANG

To provide some context, I purchased my Mustang new in 2018, and it currently has 40,000 miles on it. Approximately four weeks ago, I began experiencing a "shaking" issue when cold-starting the engine, accompanied by the check-engine light turning on. I brought my vehicle into your service department, where I was informed by the service representative that the problem was related to the spark plugs. After paying $600 for what was purported to be a fix, I retrieved my car, which drove fine for about a week before the same issue recurred. The engine began shaking again, and the check-engine light reappeared. I promptly scheduled another appointment, explicitly mentioning that the problem was identical to the previous one. Upon dropping off my car, I was told that the mechanic couldn't determine the issue from the initial diagnostic. After three days without any updates, I reached out to my service representative, Jack, who then informed me that my car required an engine replacement due to a coolant leak—a problem he described as a common issue with EcoBoost engines. The cost quoted for this repair was $9,000, an amount I find exorbitant given that my car's total value is around $12,000-$13,000. My primary concern now is the nature of the engine issue. Given that this problem is apparently common with EcoBoost engines, I believe it is a manufacturing defect that should not be my financial responsibility to fix. Furthermore, during my research, I discovered recalls and class action lawsuits related to this exact issue—information that was never communicated to me by your team or at the time of purchase. Unfortunately, my vehicle is not included in these recalls. Coolant leaking into the engine will eventually make my engine overheat and potentially crack the engine. This is a manufacturing issue, and should not be my financial responsibility.