NHTSA Complaint #718883 — 1996 FORD F-250

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL SNOW DRIFT, ON AN ISOLATED COUNTRY ROAD, SNOW DISLODGED THE SERPENTINE BELT, THUS DISCONNECTING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND DISCHARGING THE BATTERY. LUCKILY A PASSING SNOW PLOW OPERATOR ASSISTED US OR THIS COULD HAVE HAD MORE TRAGIC RESULTS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD ENGINEERS TO ASSIST WITH A SOLUTION. SKID PLATES ARE NOT MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE NOR CAN THEY APPARENTLY BE MANUFACTURED BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHILE OUR LOCAL DEALER IS HELPING TO PROBLEM SOLVE, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE NO REPLY NOR INTEREST FROM FORD, WHO CLAIMS THAT ANY SOLLUTION WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY OR IMPROVEMENT RATHER THAN A REPAIR. WE FEEL THAT SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS ADVERTISED AS A RUGGED OFF-ROAD FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT IS DEPICTED BLASTING THROUGH DEEP SNOW DRIFTS ON COMMERCIALS, IT PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BREAK DOWN AND STRAND PASSENGERS WHEN THE TRUCK IS CONFRONTED WITH NORMAL WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. FURTHER, IT SHOULDN'T LEAVE THE PASSENGERS STRANDED WITHOUT POWER,ENGINE COOLING, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.