NHTSA Complaint #736919 — 1995 FORD RANGER

MY PROBLEM IS WITH AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT THAT CONTROLS THE DOOR CHIME, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHT. THESE THREE ITEMS WILL TURN ON INTERMITENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL FOR NO APPARENT REASON BEGIN TO OPERATE. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT TURN OFF WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING THE VEHICLE, AND SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON FOR HOURS DRAINING MY BATTERY AFTER I HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DOOR CHIME IS THE WORST; IT REFUSES TO STOP RINGING (ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS). THE FORD DEALER HERE HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS A FAULTY CHIP IN A CONTROL MODULE LOCATED DEEP INSIDE THE DASH BOARD. THEY HAVE A TSB ON IT. OKAY, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 450.00 TO REPAIR. I THINK THAT IS UNFAIR. IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT COMPONENT INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY THAT IS NOW BECOMING FAULTY. I THINK FORD SHOULD ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSTALLING A FAULTY CHIP OR MODULE. I THINK IF THE CHIP WERE CONTROLLING OTHER IGNITION OR ELECTRICAL PARTS IT WOULD BE A HAZARD. RIGHT NOW THE DOOR CHIME IS DRIVING ME CRAZY.*AK