NHTSA complaint: 2001 FORD F-150 — WHEELS:RIM
OUR INSURED, MR MOHSSIN, PERFORMED AN EVASIVE MANUEVER AT HIGHWAY SPEED APPLYING THE BRAKES TO THE MAXIMUM WHILE TURNING. HIS 2001 F150 HARLEY EDITION IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS AS WELL AS 20" RIMS WHICH ARE 40LBS HEAVIER THAN STOCK. IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, WE HAVE GATHERED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE LF AND RF BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS SNAPPED DURING THIS LOSS CAUSING BOTH TIRE/WHEEL/HUB ASSYS TO SHEAR OFF THE SPINDLE NUTS AND BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS AND ALL COMPONENTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE OEM. IT IS THE OPINION OF OUR INDPENDENT RECONSTRUCTIONIST ENGINEER THAT THERE IS AMPLE REASON FOR FORD TO BE CONCERNED AND REVIEW THE EVIDENCE FOR THEMSELVES. TO DATE, WE HAVE HAD NO LUCK GETTING ANY RESPONSE OR INTEREST IN REVIEWING OUR FINDINGS. MANY AVENUES HAVE BEEN PURSUED TO SEEK SOME RESPONSE. THE ONLY CONTACT SO FAR HAS DIRECTED US TO SUBMIT A SUBROGATION DEMAND IF WE SEEK RECOVERY. OUR CONCERN AT THIS POINT IS TO GET THE INSURED HIS VEHICLE BACK. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SECURED. REPAIRS WILL BEGIN THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY. WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THE NHTSA COULD PERSUADE A FORD REPRESENTATIVE TO CONTACT OUR NCAL PD MGR, ERIC HACKER AT 916 853-4607 TO CONFIRM FORD'S POSITION. WE APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation