NHTSA Complaint #704048 — 1991 FORD TAURUS

WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WHEN CAR CLUNKED TO A STOP. THE CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH AND BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND THROW CAR INTO PARK TO STOP CAR. ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERSHIP, THE FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNT SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE MOTOR TO LIFT UP INTO THE HOOD, SEVERING THE THROTTLE CABLE AND RADIATOR HOSES. ACCORDING TO DEALER, MOTOR MOUNTS COMMONLY GO BAD AND ARE PART OF NORMAL YEARLY MAINTENANCE CHECKS. FUNNY THAT THE PAMPHLET THAT FORD PUTS OUT ON RECCOMMENDED YEARLY MAINTENANCE DOESN'T MENTION THIS ANYWHERE. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECENT RECALL ON ENGINE MOUNTS AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. REPAIRS WERE DONE INCLUDING THE RECALL, INSURANCE COVERED PART. DEALER REFUSED TO GIVE ITEMIZED REPAIR TICKET TO CUSTOMER AND GAVE NO PROOF THAT RECALL WORK WAS DONE. NOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS LEAKING. DEALER SAID WAS OLD LEAK AND NOT CAUSED BY EVENT. NEVER HAD A LEAK BEFORE. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED, OR EVEN IN A SCHOOL ZONE AT THE TIME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE DEALER THAT DID THE REPAIRS IS FAMILY AUTO FORD; 6105 E. 38TH ST.; INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46226; PH. 317-545-8551. SERVICE ADVISOR, BENJAMIN BELL WAS VERY RUDE AND UNCOOPERATIVE TO BOTH US AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND A COMPLAINT IS FILED WITH FORD. WHEN WE QUESTIONED THE REPAIRS, WE DID NOT GET FAR, AND WERE BLUNTLY TOLD THAT IT WAS ALL CAUSED BY US NOT DOING THE PROPER MAINTENANCE CHECK. HE SAID MOTOR MOUNTS COMMONLY GO OUT WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.