new 2/16/03
Dear Sir:
It is my sincere hope that the following information will be of some use to you and others. I would also like to be included in the class action lawsuit if at all possible.
1. VIN #1FALP54N7VA158709.
2. Date of failure: on or around September 15, 2000.
3. Malfunction took place on a city street in La Crosse, WI.
4. Odometer reading: approximately 46,500 miles.
5. I was going about 30 mph. when I first noticed the problem.
6. Am not certain if I was at constant speed or accelerating when I first noticed the problem.
7. I purchased the car in mid-February of 2000 with approximately 38,800 miles on it.
8. Current Address: , Stillwater, OK
9. Sounded like the engine timing was off, slight at first, then more pronounced. Put some gas additives in it.
10. Repairs were performed at:
New Caledornia Ford, 405 S. Highway 44/76, P.O. Box 152 Caledonia, MN 55921, (507) 724-3346.
11. At first we couldn't figure out what the problem was, then mechanic determined it to be the camshaft.
12. Total repair bill: $2099.59; total repair time: about 7 weeks.
This entire series of events was very disheartening. I bought this car, and was so happy to have it. Ironically, one of the major reasons I bought it was to have reliable transportation! I drove it back to SE Minnesota because I was unemployed at the time and needed money. Unfortunately, I ended up a lot worse off financially. The timing of this camshaft failure was very inconvenient for me. I not only couldn't afford the repairs, it also left me without transportation for several weeks.
Thank you for your time and effort. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me with them.
Sincerely,
Perry Reed
Dear Mr. Wright:
Here is the information you requested, it is very similar to that given to you earlier. Any more questions or comments, please feel free to contact me with them. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Perry Reed
-----Original Message-----
From: Perry Reed <reedp@provalue.net>
To: tkymasters@msn.com <tkymasters@msn.com>
Date: Sunday, July 28, 2002 7:49 PM
Subject: camshaft failure 1997 SHO
Dear Sir:
Below are provided the information you suggested we send to you concerning SHO camshaft failures.
1. VIN #1FALP54N7VA158709.
2. Date: On or around September 15, 2000.
3. Malfunction took place on a city street (La Crosse, WI).
4. Odometer reading: approximately 46,500 miles.
5. About 30 mph.
6. Am not certain if I was at constant speed or accelerating.
7. Mid-February of 2000.
8. Approximately 38,800 miles.
9. Perry Lavern Reed,
10. Sounded like the engine timing was off, slight at first, then more pronounced. Put some gas additives in it.
11. None.
12. NA.
13. Caledornia Ford, 405 S. Highway 4476 Caledonia, MN 55921, (507) 724-3346.
14. We couldn't figure it out at first, then mechanic determined it to be the camshaft.
15. Didn't know, thought is was timing related until told by the mechanic.
16. It was over $2000, maybe slightly over $2100. The statement is in MN, Caledonia Ford would also have it on record.
17. At this point, not much. I bought the car in the first place to have reliable transportation. I was unemployed at the time, and traveled from OK to MN to work at my parent's apple orchard to make some money. I ended up way in the hole as a result of this. Also, the car was unavailable for several weeks largely because the dealership
couldn't get the parts. This whole series of events really made me think of FoMoCo in a new light. I would prefer cash to credit as I intend to not ever buy a new Ford product again. If Ford wants to issue credit, then it should be for any new/used car at a Ford dealership, that way I can use it on a Volkswagon Golf or Jetta.
Thank you for your time and effort. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me with them.
Sincerely,
Perry Reed