NHTSA Complaint #761477 — 1992 FORD RANGER

SPRING TOWER DETERIORATED PREMATURELY AND COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I EVEN HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE DAY BEFORE, AND NO APPEARENT DEFECT WAS DETECTED. WHEN I CONFRONED THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP ,HE TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TRUCK. FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AC DRIPS ON THIS PART CAUSING IT TO RUST AND FAIL SOONER. HE INFORMED ME THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK. THE PRICE WAS ABOUT $100. FOR THE PART AND APROX 200. FOR LABOR. HE ALSO RECOMENDED ANOTHER SHOP WHERE I COULD GO AND HAVE DONE A LITTLE CHEEPER. SO I CHECKED WITH THEM , THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. LATELY THE'VE DONE SEVERAL. I THINK THIS NEEDS SOME INVESTIGATION. I THINK I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE CRASHED. THIS ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS VEHICLE ON THE STREETS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME (708) 417-8104 OR (708)422-1699 THANK YOU. AK