NHTSA Complaint #766762 — 2000 FORD TAURUS

WHEN I PURCHASESD THIS CAR FROM PEYTON CRAMER FORD LAST SUMMER I COMPLAINED ABOUT A GROANING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FIRST DIAGNOSIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK & PINION, WHICH I THOUGHT SOUNDED FAIRLY SERIOUS. WHEN THE PARTS WERE REPLACED THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE AND A NEW DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE AND MORE STEERING PARTS WERE REPLACED. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE MY "SIMPLE" COMPLAINT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. I EXPRESSED CONCERN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE NUMBER OF STEERING PROBLEM THEY FOUND AND WAS ASSURED THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY SAFE. THREE WEEKS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING ON A FLAT, DRY STRETCH OF ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY MADE A VIOLENT RIGHT TURN. WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT IT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT, SLAMMING INTO A CURB CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE MADE THE REPAIRS AND CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. BUT, AGAIN, I WAS ASSURED THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS CAR IS SAFE AND WANTED TO TRADE IT IN ON A NEW CAR. WHEN I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION I WAS GIVEN A VERY "MINIMAL" DEAL TOLD THAT ANYTHING FURTHER COULD BE TAKEN UP WITH FORD. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WIH FORD (9007826298) AND WILL ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.*AK