NHTSA Complaint #765881 — 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

THIS CAR HAD CONTINUED BRAKE DEFECTS FROM 03/29/01 (OUR FIRST FIRE) UNTIL THE LAST FIRE. WE SPENT NEARLY $4,000 ON BRAKES, EACH TIME BEING TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FINALLY, AFTER THE LAST FIRE IN FREMONT, NY, 3 DAYS AFTER THE LAST REPAIR BILL OF NEARLY $800 FOR BRAKES, THE COMPANY FOUND A STATEMENT FROM FORD SAYING THIS PARTICULAR MAKE COULD HAVE A BAD BOOSTER (FROM THE FACTORY), WHICH WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR PROPERLY AFTER 60 MPH AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND BRAKE FAILURE. WE WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR OVER 60 MPH; THE TWO FORMER OWNERS WERE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DID GOOD TO DRIVE IT 50 MPH. THE DEALER USED THE FOLLOWING TO FIX THE CAR: WWW.FORDTECHSERVICE.DEALER CONNECTION.COM/TPSCONTENT/USEN14/TN1902.HTM. HE TOLD MY HUSBAND FORD OFTEN DOESN'T ISSUE RECALLS UNTIL SOMEONE HAS TROUBLE WITH A PART. FORD KNEW THIS EXISTED; IT IS DATED 08/09/1992. WE FEEL FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO ANSWER WHY THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL THAT CAUSED NOT ONE, BUT TWO FIRES; THE LAST ONE ON RECORD WITH FREMONT, NY POLICE AND FIRE TRUCKS, WHO RESPONDED, AND WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE., NOT TO MENTION REFUND SOME OF OUR MONEY. IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED. NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND $4,000 ON BRAKES IN 50,000 MILES, AND HAVE THEM CATCH ON FIRE THREE DAYS AFTER A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOB. ALL OTHER MAJOR CAR MAKERS ISSUE RECALLS BEFORE OWNERS HAVE PROBLEMS, IF THEY KNOW IT. WHY DOESN'T FORD? WHY DON'T YOU MAKE THEM DO THAT?*AK