I have a 2002 SCrew which I purchased from a local Ford dealership with 21000 miles on it in 10/2003. It was originally purchased from another local Ford dealer in 9/2002. Yesterday I came home from work to have a business card from the investigator with my city's police automobile theft division (I live in Jackson, TN). I called him today to see why he had left a card thinking maybe there was some stolen vehicles or break-ins in my area. Unfortunatly that was not the case. El Paso, Texas police have notified him that my vehicle matches the VIN number of a vehicle that recently went through an auction there. They have confirmed that the displayed VIN matches on both the engine casting and the transmission of their vehicle, therefore they feel mine must be altered. I am supposed to meet with this investigator and an investigator from the state highway patrol as soon as the HP investigator concludes a vehicular homicide investigation. The investigator is being extremly nice and is saying that he knows that I am not at fault, but he has no explanation to offer me. Neither has my dealer (they have been very nice and have provided me all the info they have on the vehicle). I am looking for advice on how this has happened and what should I do to protect myself before I meet with the investigators. I am sure that this will be taken care of and I am not overly concerned, but am a little anxious to get this taken care of. Please advise.

 

I don't know if this will help you or not. In 1997, I bought straight from the factory a Ford Aerostar. Within 30 days, I took the van in for some Warranty work. When the service person entered my VIN into the computer, the vehicle that came up was for a Chevrolet on the West Coast in British Columbia. The service person told me that this is a natural occurance as there are only so many VIN numbers out there. He proceeded to type over the information for the Chevrolet to reflect the vehicle change. I still don't know to this day if he was giving me the B.S. or not. As to your problem. You bought the vehicle in good faith from a dealeship. They are supposed to do a search to see if there are any liens on the vehicle. It looks like they screwed up big time. If I were you, I could contact them and you might consider some legal advice.

Good luck.