1988 FORD FESTIVA

JUNE, 2001, TIRE #NPC8 JPHR 169 ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS DOING ABOUT 70 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (COOL OUT). THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT SIDEWAYS TO THE ROAD, IN THE ONCOMING LANE. I BARELY GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND BACK TO MY SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE AN ONCOMING CAR WHIZZED BY. A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER, OR LESS DRIVING SKILL, AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS WAS ONE OF A SET OF FOUR NEW TIRES I GOT FROM THE LOCAL GOODYEAR STORE. I THOUGHT IT WAS "JUST A BLOWOUT" BUT I KEPT THE TIRE AS A PRECAUTION. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE. IF I FIND OUT THAT GOODYEAR KNEW OF THE DEFECT IN THESE TIRES BEFORE JUNE, 2001, AND DID NOT WARN ME, I AM GOING TO BE UPSET, BECAUSE IT ALLMOST KILLED ME. THE SECOND TIRE THAT BLEW WAS THE SAME NUMBER: NPC8 JPHR 169. IT BLEW OUT IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF SEPT. 1, 2002, AT OVER 7000 FT (COOL TEMP). SPEED WAS ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS BLOWOUT WAS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AND WAS UNEVENTFUL, BUT SIN

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE MECHANIC STATED VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. MANAGER INSISTED THAT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, AND REFUSED TO SERVICE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE WHEEL CAME OFF, THE MECHANIC STATEED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NLM

EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEELBEARINGS ONE OR BOTH SIDES. HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE REAR SPINDLES ON BOTH SIDES TOO. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. IS THERE ANY THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.*AK

NO SUMMARY

CALIPERS RUSTED DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEMS (LUBRICATION OF THE BUSHINGS). MJS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON BROKE, JAMMING BUCKLE. RECALL, NHTSA ID 95V103011. MFG. SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED, AND WON'T FIX IT.

SAFETY SEAT BELT FAILED, PRIOR RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE.

SEAT BELTS CRACKED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.

IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF, DID NOT GIVE AN WARNING. *AK

WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

ON ONE OCCASION THE BELT TEINSIONER WAS REPLACED AND NOW IT IS LOOSE AGAIN. .*AK

CONTACTED DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER STILL NO WORD ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE REGARDING SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL 95V103011. *AK

RECALL 95V103011, SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED ON 8-27-96. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. GARNET FORD 215- 358-5600. *AK

SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL.

STEERING COLUMN FIRE, IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED AND VEHICLE BURNED. *AK *SLC

LAP BELTS IN THE REAR WILL NOT RETRACT ON PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDES. *AK