Faults:
Knocking engine until oil circulates into engine--after approximately 15,000-20,000.
Backfiring and extremely rough idle.
Air conditioner freezing--no airflow from vent.
Windshield washer totally broke after.
Starter not always engaging.
CD player hot and destroyed 3 new CDs.
Loud thump hitting underneath floorboard after turning steering wheel.
Leak from passenger window--speakers soaked--have to pack with a towel.
Leather driver seat worn.
General Comments:
A $30,000 lemon--pile of junk!
A lemon to which Ford refuses to back up their product--warranty about to exhaust.
Initially, taken to local Ford dealer for convenience--had to pay for rent car:
Their Ford mechanic initial diagnosis for knocking engine--replaced censors and wires.
Air conditioner part ordered and replaced.
Windshield washer part ordered and replaced.
Wires and censors replaced for starter.
Advised--normal for CD player to get extremely hot after 30 minutes of play.
Order part and replaced for leaking window.
After a short time--same issues with exception of window washer.
Taken to dealer where purchased to be given a loaner:
Their Ford mechanic advised he heard slight tick and was caused from previous oil change--found 1/2 quart over of oil--changed oil and engine noise eliminated.
Air conditioner o-rings replaced.
Adjusted leaking window.
Thump hitting floorboard--found shock to be loose--tightened.
CD player removed and repaired.
After 1 week--retrieved car, and loud knock, not a tick, still present--service supervisor heard--car did not leave premises.
They supposedly contacted Ford engineer for guidance on knock.
Another week--service supervisor called--knock was determined this time to be timing chain tension rod.
Attempted to drive car home--loud thump hit floorboard--returned to dealer.
Another week--service supervisor called--tightened every bolt for loud bang.
Two weeks later--knock in engine--apparently, mechanic was instructed to pour engine treatment to eliminate knock.
Air conditioner broke again.
Still leak in passenger window.
Loud bang after turning steering wheel.
Back to dealer for repair:
Ford mechanic called Ford engineer again.
Ford service supervisor admitted engineer instructing him to pour can of engine treatment into motor--obvious shady business practices to exhaust warranty.
Ford female engineer flown from Michigan to dealership.
Car kept 1 month.
Ford engineer called for maintenance records--produced showing oil changes every 3,000-4,000 miles.
Two weeks later, December 2002, Ford engineer made the timely determination knock in engine is now a characteristic of Mustangs.
Three different diagnosis now on the knocking engine.
Strange, Ford just now, December 2002, made the convenient determination a knock in engine is now a characteristic of a Mustang.
Obviously, air conditioner will not be properly repaired either in order to exhaust warranty.
I will never own another Ford product as long as I live--the manufacture nothing but cheap, shoddy vehicles.
Is there anyone out there who can help me?
23rd Feb 2003, 06:04
Drive a 2002 Trans Am and you won't be praising your Cobra so much...