NHTSA Complaint #723939 — 1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD

THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE HAS PERFORMED WITHOUT FLAW. I LEARNED FROM MY DEALER THAT A LETTER WAS ISSUED TO OWNERS WITH INFORMATION ON PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON THE 3.8 L ENGINE. I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS LETTER DUE TO DEALER ERROR. THE DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY REGISTER ME HAS THE ONWER OF THE VEHICLE WITH FORD MOTER COMPANY. THEREFOR I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY PENDING PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ERROR AND NO SUPPORT FOR REPAIR WOULD BE GIVEN. HAD I BEEN AWARE OF SUCH PROBLEM, CORRECTIVE MEASURE COULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT THE CALL TAKER WAS VERY RUDE AND OFFERED NO SUPPORT WHAT SO EVER. ALSO, COMMENTS WERE MADE TO THE AFFECT THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT THE CAR LASTED AS LONG AS IT DID. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR AS PRESCRIBED BY FORD SINCE IT HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION. I FEEL THIS MAY BE AN ATTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE EXTRA MILEAGE BEFORE FAILURE. HOWEVER, BASED ON MY CARE OF THE CARE, I AM EXPECTED TO COVER THE CAOST OF A KNOWN FLAW IN THE HEAD GASKET. I AM REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR OF MY VEHICLE.*AK