NHTSA complaint: 1997 FORD ESCORT — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE HEATER CORE LEAKED ONTO THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, CAUSING IT TO SHORT OUT AND CATCH ON FIRE. THIS ITEM WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HEATER CORE FOR A COST OF $955.00. I HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM CATCHING ON FIRE AND BURNING UP, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT STEGALL FORD IN PONTOTOC STATED I SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN BECAUSE THE NEW PART WAS SEALED IN PLASTIC. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR ODI ID LOGS OF 865884,867236,845896 AND 845837 ALONG WITH NUMEROUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS FOR THIS MODEL CAR FOR NO REASON. I BELIEVE THIS PART WAS CHANGED BY FORD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON ALL MODELS. I WORK AS A DESIGN ENGINEER AND IF AN ELECTRICAL ITEM IS SUBJECT TO MOISTURE INJESTION, IT SHOULD BE SEALED OR POTTED TO ELIMINATE SHORTS AND FAILURE. THE PLACEMENT OF THIS MODULE UNDER THE HEATER CORE WAS WRONG, I NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY ONLY APOLIGIZED FOR THE HEATER CORE LEAK, THEY DID NOT ACKNOWLEGE ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR BAG MODULE, I AGAIN NOTIFIED THEM THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT ON THIS ITEM, SINCE THE DESIGN HAD BEEN CHANGED, THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED TO THIS IN OVER A WEEK, STATING IT WOULD ONLY TAKE 3 DAYS FOR A REPLY. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, I HAVE WORKED IN THE PAST UNDER FDA GUIDELINES IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY WITH REPORTING AND I DO NOT LIKE THE WAY THIS IS BEING HANDLED BY FORD, THEY ARE ACTING LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE SOMETHING, A PERSONS LIFE OR PERSONAL INJURY IS NOT SOMETHING TO SW
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation