2002 Ford Thunderbird

I AM WRITING TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. *TR --------------------

I AM WRITING TODAY TO EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERNS FOR MY 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2005 FOR THE COIL OVER PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEM, BUT HAS CHOSEN TO OMIT THE 2002 MODEL YEAR EVEN THOUGH A MAJORITY OF 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRDS WERE PRODUCED IN MODEL YEAR 2002. MY CONCERN IS THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED COP FAILURES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THEIR CARS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE WITHOUT NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. TO TAKE THIS A STEP FURTHER, IMAGINE DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE AND HAVE THE SYSTEM FAIL. THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE WHEREBY THE CAR CANNOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 25 MPH. THIS IS A DISASTROUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING OWNERS OF MY 2002 CARS IN EXCESS OF $1,500 WHERE OWNERS OF NEWER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THIS INEQUITY MUST SERIOUSLY BE INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTED BY THE NHTSA! *TR

I AM WRITING REGARDING A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD -- AN OTHERWISE GREAT CAR THAT I HAVE LEARNED HAS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT (FOR EXAMPLE, MODEL YEARS 2003 THROUGH 2005) HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. YET THE 2002 MODEL USES THE SAME EQUIPMENT AS THE 2003 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEARS, AND MORE 2002 MODELS WERE SOLD THAN THOSE OF THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS. THE RESULT OF THIS? 2002 MODEL OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. THANKS IN ADVANCE! *TR

I JUST PURCHASED A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD AND HAVE BECOME AWARE OF A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE FATAL TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I HAVE LEARNED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2005 FOR THE COIL OVER PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEM, BUT NOT FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. A MAJORITY OF 2002-2005 THUNDERBIRDS WERE PRODUCED IN MODEL YEAR 2002. I FURTHER LEARNED THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODEL YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED COP FAILURES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THEIR CARS VIRTUALLY INOPERABLE AND WITHOUT NOTICE OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. CLEARLY THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY AT BEST, AND MORTAL AT WORST. IN ADDITION TO BEING A SAFETY ISSUE THERE IS AN EQUITY ISSUE AS WELL. REPAIRS COST OWNERS OF 2002 THUNDERBIRDS IN EXCESS OF $1,500 BUT OWNERS OF NEWER MODELS ARE COVERED FOR 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. I HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL CORRECT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD AND ITS 2002 THUNDERBIRD: HIGHWAY SAFETY AND EQUITY. THANK YOU. *TR

I AM WRITING TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST.

I AM WRITING TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AT BEST AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. MANY POTENTIAL DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. *TR

I AM WRITING TO PROACTIVELY PREVENT WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION. I OWN A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD AND OTHER 2002'S LIKE IT HAVE DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR(S) TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. THE COILS ARE PRONE TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AT ANY MOMENT, THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY LOSE POWER. THIS COULD BE DEADLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A LETTER STATING THAT 2003-2005 THUNDERBIRDS CAN HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE FAILED TO INCLUDE THE OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS IN THIS ACTION. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THAT 2002 OWNERS CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR COILS REPLACED DUE TO THE EXPENSE (BETWEEN $1500 AND $2500). THIS PLACES THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ENDANGER NOT ONLY THEIR OWN OCCUPANTS, BUT THOSE OF OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. SINCE FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COILS (THE 2002 USES THE SAME AS THOSE BEING REPLACED FOR FREE), I IMPLORE YOU TO USE WHATEVER INFLUENCE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION. POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATHS COULD BE AVOIDED IF FORD WOULD SIMPLY INCLUDE THE 2002 MODEL THUNDERBIRD IN THE LIST OF APPROVED VEHICLES FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AT NO COST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIL AND A SPARK PLUG WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIL AND A SPARK PLUG WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR ONCE AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,705 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS 8 COILS, ONE FOR EACH CYLINDER/SPARK PLUG TWO OF THE COILS HAVE FAILED. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB