NHTSA Complaint #725131 — 1999 FORD TAURUS

CAR HAS HAD SHAKE IN STEERING WHEEL SINCE THE TEST DRIVE; WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO CAR SITTING ON THE LOT AND THAT TURNING THE ROTORS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SHAKE RETURNED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM SINCE. IT STARTS AS A SUBLTE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECOMES A VIOLENT SHAKE AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GETS WORSE. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED, REPLACED 2X, DRUMS REPLACED, WHEEL CYLINDERS REPLACED. WE ASKED THEM THE LAST TIME TO ALSO CHECK PROPORTIONING VALVE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD BUT DIDN'T. IT HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 4 REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM, INCLUDING THEM TURNING T HE ROTORS BEFORE PURCHASE. WE SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO FORD JUST BEFORE THE LAST REPAIR. THEY REPLIED WITH THE STATEMENT THAT A REGIONAL OFFICE OR THE SERVICE MANAGER FROM THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CONTACT US, AND IF NOT WE WERE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. NO ONE CONTACTED US, AND WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR 10MONTHS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE SALESPERSON HAS TOLD US SHE'LL SPEAK TO HER GENERAL MANAGER. THE CERTIFIED LETTER WAS RECIEVED BY FORD ON 6/16/00, THE LAST REPAIR WAS DONE ON 6/24/00, AND THE SHAKE RETURNED ON 7/7/00. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THEM GETTING PARTS TO DO REPAIRS, WITH IT TAKING WEEKS. ALSO WERE TOLD IN THE WINTER TO WAIT UNTIL SPRING FOR T HE REPAIR, THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT JUST BE CAUSED BY SAND AND SALT, WHICH IT WASN'T.*AK