new 1/29/2004
Larry...
A friend of mine led me to your website.
Two weeks ago today, my 1999 V8 SHO literally fell apart while I was driving on 290E. I'm going to try to answer all of your questions on your website. I'm in for the fight.
1.1FAFP54N4XA284798
2. January 15, 2004
3. Highway
4. 89,000 +
5. 60 miles per hour
6. I believe I was at a constant speed
7. April 2000--I bought the car "new" from the dealership.
8. The car had 6000 miles on it. I was told that a Ford executive had driven the car for a while.
9. Darlene Silver
Bartlett, IL 60103
10. I did hear a clicking noise. I thought I needed an oil change. I had the oil changed at a JiffyLube and asked what the noise was. I was told that cars make different sounds in the winter than they do in the summer. I believed him...kept driving. Had NO idea this was a sign leading to this enormous disaster with the engine.
11. I did call Ford Customer Service today. I don't remember who I talked to, but will get names written down in the future. I called 1-800-392-3673.
12. I do realize that it isn't the fault of the person I spoke to, therefore I kept my cool, however I didn't want to. When I explained the cam problem...he sounded as though this was the first time he had ever heard of such a problem. (I called my dealership and talked to the Service Dept there....they sounded and responded to me like I was crazy....they had never heard of this happening} Knowing that Ford Company DOES know of this problem, I was NOT SATISFIED that upon my first call to them...they responded that they didn't. I also know that I bought a Premier
Warranty--75,000 miles/5 years. So, my warranty won't cover the repair. I am NOT SATISFIED that I was sold this car and was NEVER told from the dealership that this was a problem. Based on your website, these problems existed on earlier models. I am completely convinced that 1999 was the last year Ford made this car because they knew they had a problem and this was the quite way of getting out of the problem.
Bottom line is this. I am not some young, crazy, hot-rod kid. I am 48 year-old that has NEVER had a ticket or an accident. I don't drive crazy. This problem isn't something I did. NO CAR--no matter what the make--should have such a devastating engine problem in only 4 years. (I only have owed the car since Apr. 2000). I find this UNACCEPTABLE and plan to make my voice heard.
13. The car isn't at a Ford Dealership. It broke down on my way to work and it was towed to the closest repair shop--Firestone. This particular Firestone does all the repairs on company cars for the organization that I work for....they always do a great job...so, that's where the car is.
Firestone/York Road/Elmhurst, IL 60126 Repair guy: Bill
14. After tearing the engine apart....they found that the intake cam had slipped and in its slipping, damaged the head. {I don't know what all of these parts mean/do--I just know it is costing me big $$}
15. I had no idea what happened. I just knew I was pressing the gas pedal, the engine didn't sound right, and the speedometer was slowly going down. I knew it had to be something big. All the lights came on the dash--engine, oil, battery.
16. Right now the car is still in the garage. I've been quoted 3300...I have no doubt it will be more. I WILL keep the receipt.
17. After I saw my engine strung out on the floor of the Firestone garage...I doubt the engine will ever be the same. My first choice is a new car....my second choice is FULL
reimbursement for the cost of the repair. That's what I want. I also want Ford to take responsibility and ownership of this known problem. They can afford to. I don't know that I'll ever buy a Ford again...and if I have anything to say/do about it....none of my family and friends will either.