NHTSA Complaint #701634 — 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

THE AUTO IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. AT VARIOUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, THE AIR BAG IN EACH STRUT HAS FAILED. INSIDE EACH STRUT IS A "RUBBER"BAG THAT IS INFLATED BY A COMPRESSOR BASED ON ROAD CONDITIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY FORD, THAT THE BAG DETERIORATES OVER TIME CAUSING THE BAG TO TEAR OR IN ONE CASE EXPLODE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE CAR TO DROP SO LOW THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. NOT A FUN EXPERIENCE WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT 60 MPH. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NUMEROUS LINCOLN OWNERS THAT HAVE INCURRED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS, BUT FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR COMPLAINTS. AT SOME POINT I WOULD EXPECT TO REPLACE A STRUT OR A SHOCK, BUT WHEN THE COST TO REPLACE AND INSTALL JUST "ONE" STRUT IS BETWEEN $800-$1000, I WOULD THINK THESE PARTS WOULD LAST MUCH LONGER AND BE MANUFACTURED TO WITHSTAND THE ELEMENTS. I BELIEVE FORD HAS FAILED ON THEIR PART TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, AND I AM SURE IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS COMPLAINT, YOU WILL AGREE THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THIS COMPONENT SHOULD WARRANT SOME CONSIDERATION FOR A RECALL. IF FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAILURE OF THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FOR LINCOLN CARS DUE TO CORROSION FROM THE ELEMENTS, I THINK THEY SHOULD ALSO ADDRESS THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.