NHTSA Complaint #730263 — 1999 SAFARI CONTINENTAL

PARKING BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE CALIPER TO BE PARTIALLY DISLODGED FROM THE ROTOR, WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE CALIPER SLIPS OFF THE ROTOR AND THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL. THERE ARE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THIS WILL RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHASSIS BUILDER (MAGNUM), THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS THE BRAKE CALIPER IS UNDERDESIGNED AND RESULTS IN THE BOLTS LOOSENING FROM SERVICE LOADING. WHEN THE COMPANY SHIPPED THE FIRST REPLACEMENT CALIPER, THEY DID NOT INCLUDE A NEW OR REDESIGNED BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY AT THE FACTORY WHERE THEY DID TWO WEEKS OF WARRANTY WORK, BUT DID NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THEM IN DETAIL. IT IS OBVIOUS THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED OR ADEQUATELY INFORMED AS TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT EQUIPED WITH A PARK FEATURE.