NHTSA Complaint #704638 — 1995 FORD CONTOUR

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION IN MY CAR FROM WHEN I PICKED IT UP. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE STOPPED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SHAKING TERRIBLY. AFTER HAVING IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH CONTOURS AND DID NOT PURSUE IT ANY FURTHER. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET ALONG WITH A REBUILT ENGINE. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF ALL THE VIBRATION IN THE CAR WEAKENED THE SEAL CAUSING LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 65,000 MILES, IS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, FORD MOTORS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR AUTO COMPLAINTS, WBZ CALL FOR ACTION, AND THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY IN WASHINGTON, DC ON THIS MATTER. THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAVE SHORT OF HIRING AN ATTORNEY, IS TO FILE COMPLAINT FORMS, WHICH I HAVE DONE. I'M BEGINNING TO SEE A PATTERN BY FORD TO MAKE AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND THEN NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTS. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS LITTLE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $3000 (OF WHICH I DON'T HAVE) TO GET MY CAR BACK IN WORKING ORDER. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE FOR CUSTOMERS LIKE ME OR IS IT "TOO BAD. YOU'RE STUCK WITH IT"?