1997 Mercury Sable

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. IN COLD WEATHER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL SHUT, BUT NOT LATCH UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 3-4 MILES WITH THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR THE PAST TWO WINTERS. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS SHUT, ONE OF THE TRIM PANELS DETACHES FROM THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC ATTACHMENTS (CHRISTMAS TREE). HE WAS INFORMED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT HARMFUL. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH BECAUSE THE PLASTIC MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAS TO MANUALLY WORK THE DOOR HANDLE TO REACTIVATE THE LATCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE, AND THAT THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART AND RELUBRICATED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 04/21/08 *BF

I OWN A 1997 MECURY SABLE. ON 06/07/05 I WAS TRAVELING IN MI ON HIGHWAY 96 EAST BETWEEN GRAND RAPIDS AND LANSING. WHILE CRUISING ALONG AT 70 MPH, THE HOOD ON MY CAR RELEASED, AND SMASHED INTO MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, HOOD, AND ROOF OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THE SAFETY CATCH FAILED, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE DAMAGE. I SPOKE WITH FORD MOTOR, WHO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. I BELIEVE FORD TO BE LIABLE BECASUE THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. THE SAFETY CATCH BY DESIGN IS INTENDED TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF ACCIDENTS, AND IT SHOULD NEVER FAIL.