NHTSA Complaint #756868 — 1999 FORD EXPEDITION

DURING CHRISTMAS WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN, WE NOTICED THAT THE TRUCK FELT SLUGGISH AND NON-REPONSIVE TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. AT WHICH TIME IT WAS NOTICED ON THE DRIVEWAY THAT A OIL LEAK HAD BEGUN. WE TOOK THE EXPEDITION INTO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A SERVICE EVALUATION. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN BLOWN. WE DECIDED TO GET A SECOND OPINION BY A RESPECTED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO GAVE US THE SAME PROGNOSIS. WE AGAIN CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THE COST OF THE REPAIR COULD BE NEGOTIATED LOWER THAN THE $1,850. ESTIMATE. A FORD MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT A SPECIAL PLAN MIGHT BE AVAILABLE, BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE. THAT REQUEST WAS REJECTED. IN TRYING TO TALK WITH A FORD FACTORY SERVICE MANAGER, HE WOULDN'T TALK WITH ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOR DID WE RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL HELP. IN PURCHASING A USED VEHICLE, I REALIZE THERE IS A RISK OF FAILURE, BUT 7 MONTHS & 14,000 MILES LATER, TO PAYOUT CLOSE TO $2,000!, THAT'S TOO EXTREME. A HEAD GASKET SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS SOON INTO A VEHICLE'S LIFE. I'VE NOTICED THAT FORD'S HAVE HAD A RECENT HISTORY OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS AND WE WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE "RECALLED" AND TO BE REINBURSED FOR THIS EXPENSE. THANK YOU. *AK