NHTSA Complaint #736481 — 1992 MERCURY SABLE

I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.4 L EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE, NOW THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO SPEND OVER $900 TO GET THE REPAIR DONE. THIS HAS IN TURN PUT ME AND MY FAMILY INTO A SERIOUS FINANCIAL SITUATION. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MANY OF THESE ENGINES, BUT IT WAS FOR 7 YEARS, LEAVING MY CAR OUT OF THAT. HOWEVER, SINCE IT HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT, I THINK FORD SHOULD RETHINK THEIR POLICY. I ALSO HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW AGAIN. HOW CAN FORD BE ALLOWED TO LET THIS GO ON AND ON AND ON FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES? SURE, YOU CAN GET IT FIXED IF IT IS UNDER THE WARRANTY, EXTENDED OR REGULAR, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE FAILURE LATER AND THEN EVEN AGAIN AT SOME POINT. I THINK THE SITUATION IS FAR WORSE THAT FORD IS ADMITTING, THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM LONG AFTER THE 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MANY OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOW CAN I HAVE MY 17 YEAR OLD CHILD GO OUT IN THE CAR AND GET STRANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. WE LIVE IN AN AREA THAT CAN HAVE SOME LONG, DARK ROADS. SO, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ITSELF MAY NOT BE A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT IF SOMEONE BREAKS DOWN IN A BAD AREA. IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS?? IS FORD BEING ALLOWED TO COVER THIS UP LIKE THEY DID WITH THE TIRES AND LIE ABOUT HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE REALLY AFFECTED AND TO WHAT EXTENT? AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL OF US WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT, BEING A WOMAN, WITH THE RISK OF BREAKING DOWN ON A DARK ROAD SOMEWHERE? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVEN ONCE, NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENS, ESPECIALLY WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED.*AK