I've been reading about the 97 4.2 defects and was wondering if anyone has been able to get anything out of Ford in terms of $$$ or replacement parts for their trouble. My father has a 97 Ford Van with the 4.2 and the engine blew #1 rod due to this defect. We tried to contact Ford with negative results. No one would return calls and basically just being ignored. Just wondering

Thanx JR

 

Howdy Lowrider,

Everbody I've talked to from the Ford to the dealership told me to go get ****ed.

We need a class action law suit against Ford. They knew there was a problem but failed to do anything about it. The dealership even lied to me about the problem.

Paul

 

Thanx for the reply, guess by the overwhelming response to my thread I guess the answer is NO!!! Guess that $2200 rebuilt engine and labor was on the house. That's why nothing will ever change, no one gets together and fights. Take Care JR

 

Wow, I can't believe the lack of responses to this thread. Unbelievable how when someone posts a mechanical problem, every shadetree mechanic comes out of the woodwork to answer, but just one person even acknowledges my thread. Thanx again. JR

 

 

 

Lowrider, I had my lower intake gaskets replaced 11/2002 to prevent my motor from doing what your fathers did. I too called Ford and asked when they were going to issue a recall on this problem and they said it was not a recognized problem. So,basically,your father is in the long line with all the others that Ford has shoved the "blue oval" up there a** and broke it off!!

 

I wished we would have at least received some info on the problem so we could prevent the eventual failure of the engine. We were not as fortunate as some who knew about the problem before anything catastrophic happened. At least if they weren't gonna fix it, they could have at a minimum let customers with the potential problem know about it so they could take the preventative measures. In retrospect, if they mailed out any info like that then that could be interpreted as knowledge of the problem which they are denying, I guess. It's funny how they run these ad campaigns about buying American, but when you do it seems like you always get the short end of the stick. What happened to having a little pride in your craftsmanship? I'm not unreasonable and I do understand that mistakes occur, but at least stand by your product!!! In the long run people that get good service will return and they'll make the money back. I'm glad I got my f150 w/ the 5.4 and it's been good so far. I plan on having it a good while, but if something does happen I'm not sure I'd buy another Ford. Just my opinion, JR!

 

Howdy lowrider,

The bad part is that it didn't just affect the 4.2 V-6, it also includes the 3.8 V-6 in the mustangs, thunderbirds, taurus, and windstar mini-vans!!

I went to the
ford dealership last week (again!), and they just laughter at me, and said "Yea, you got ****ed!".

While walking back to my car a salesman asked if I needed help. I told him I was interested in a new SUV, something in the $45 to $50,000.00 range. He says cool, what did you have in mind? Then I tell him I will not buy anything from Landers (the dealership that lied to me about the recall), and that he can thank Rick Crawford for losing a $1,000.00 commission check! He didn't look too happy. Especially when I came by the next day in a $55,000.00 Excursion from another dealership.

Paul

P.S. I'm trying to start a class action lawsuit against Ford because of this.

 

OK. I'll chime in here. I have posted this info in the past but can't figure out myself how to find them again here. First of all Ford will do thier best to avoid giving out free money (repairs). Yes Ford knows of this problem. They issued first a Technical Service Bulletin and then a recall. Unfortunately they did a crappy job getting thier arms around the problem initially and the recall only succeeded in causing even more confusion. www.leakingford.com started by AJ Ragno should give you a pretty good overview to this problem and Fords related activities.

Now as to a class action suit. There was an attempt by a firm in either Minneapolis or Massachusetts somewhere to get a class action certified. The last I was aware of, they were losing that battle. I think its a great idea but not an easy one to manage. First of all it will require a firm that has deep pockets. Secondly they will be going up against Ford who will do a good job of burying this by thier attorneys. Actually the cause of action would be "Implied Warranty" and Chrysler has been beat on it before. Ford would lose this battle if fought properly by the plaintiffs.

If you have a good relationship with your dealer and they feel that its in thier best interest to solve this issue, they have a corporate arrangement with Dearborn to offer a PO5 program. This allows the local dealers to in effect "charge" Ford corporate for repairs to vehicles that are problem areas for the dealers. The trouble with PO5 is, the dealer is treated like a consumer by Ford corporate. They don't like giving out free money to the dealers anymore than they do us. Also the dealers only have so much PO5 "credit" available to them. They won't waste it on a single pissed off customer who has never bought anything from them or has no relationship with that dealer.

So there are programs. There are ways to get some or all of your repairs covered. But it requires some tact and technique and proper "presentation". I have helped 3 people on this board get PO5 repairs done. Ford picked up the lions share of the cost of the repair. But out of 3 sucesses, I have had 4 that haven't gotten the same results when trying to use it. Ford does not like us to know about these programs. Its an inside arrangement they have with the dealerships.

This is screw job we the consumer is getting. Yes we can and should have some form of retribution. But Ford counts on the fact that the hassle factor is high and they simply learn to tap dance. If you started a class action today. It would be years before it went to court. In the meantime, do you fix the truck or do you let it sit as an exhibit for the court. If you fix the truck without the attorney directing the repair activity, you loose your ability to "show" or prove that Ford was at fault. The attorney won't be in the same hurry you are. So who gets left holding the bag here?

 

Thanx for the reply guys. I knew other had experienced problems and was shocked when no one responded to the thread, even if the viewpoint was dismal even though probable realistic. Well if it does get going I'd love to sign on. At this point it would be more of a moral victory being that my old man spent $2200 hard earned dollars on a rebuilt engine. The original had only 108k which in my opinion was barely broke in. Thanx again, Take Care JR.

 

I too have just been hit with this known engine defect. Like most, I had no luck with Ford motor company or a dealer who has my repeat buisness. My engine blew with 53,000 miles on it. I have written letters made phone calls etc. with no response.
What can be done??
I recieved a letter from Dalton Law Firm, L.L.C regarding "Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act regarding Ford Motro Company's Windstar engine problems. Maybe they would be interested in looking into this!

 

Hi Mike,

The Windstar iss ue revolves around a head leakage failure. Not the same failure we have but certainly similar in nature enough to make them aware of this. They may very well decide to add this harpoon to the whale they call Ford. Respond to them. Tell them yoy can bring hundreds if not thousands to the table with a problem that is in our best interest to litigate.

If you need expert witnesses myself and several others are more than willing.

At one time AJ Ragno was establishing a database of persons for just this purpose should the day come.

 

Has anyone tried contacting these people?


Ford Contact List
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• Ford Customer Service Division Manager
Jay D. Klahn. 313-845-7335 or fax 313-845-8999.
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• Manager, Northeastern States
Phil J. Perry. 313-205-7075
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• Manager, South, Southeast States
Andrea A. Caldwell. 313-205-7082
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• Manager, North, Midwest States
Kim S. Peterson. 313-205-7079
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• Manager, Western States
Chris J. Reames. 313-205-7087
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• Vehicle Warranty Issues
Steve DeAngelis (313-323-8897)
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• Dealer-Customer Relations
Pat Hoye (313) 248-8336

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• Ford Customer Service Communications
Linda Perry-Lube (313-845-5744)
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• Ford Customer Care Manager
Kim Goering 313-390-5410
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• Vehicle Recall Manager
Frank Ligon (313-323-8467)
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• Ford Investor Relations
Anne Bork (313) 323-8221
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• Ford Lemon Law Assistance
Peggy Bowers (313) 845-4743

 

Please File Your Complaints To:

U.S. Department of Transportation,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Office of Defects Investigation,
NSA-10.01, 400 7th Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20590.