NHTSA Complaint #706257 — 1994 FORD EXPLORER

PURCHASED USED VEHICLE 01/99 FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. WITHIN WEEKS OF PURCHASE, HEARD RATTLING FROM REAR HATCH. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED LIFT BRACKET PULLING AWAY FROM LIFTGATE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND SAFETY CAMPAIGN #95I007000, HOWEVER, FORD APPARENTLY ONLY COVERED REPAIRS THROUGH 60K MILES. (THE VEHICLE HAD MORE THAN 60K MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT.) THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND REPAIR IT PRIOR TO RE-SELLING THE VEHICLE, NOR DID THEY MAKE MENTION OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUE WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. THIS MIGHT HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH PERSONAL INJURY HAD I NOT NOTICED THE DEFECT MYSELF. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST TO MAKE THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AROUND $200. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION UPON RE-SALE OF A VEHICLE IF THEY DECLINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AFTER 60K MILES. WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES 60K MILES HAVE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS? IS FORD SAYING THAT IF THE BRACKET FAILS AFTER 60K MILES, THAT WOULD BE NORMAL WEAR & TEAR AND NOT A MFG. DEFECT? IF THIS IS THE MESSAGE THEY ARE SENDING WHERE CUSTOMERS' PERSONAL SAFETY IS AT STAKE, AND THEY CONSIDER 60,000 MILES AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO CONSIDER A SAFETY DEFECT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY - I DOUBT THAT I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT.