TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ONE OF HER CHILDREN ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE BUTTON TO AUTOMATICALLY FOLD DOWN THE THIRD ROW PASSENGER SEAT. WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDING DOWN, ANOTHER CHILD'S LEG GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CHILD SUFFERED BRUISES AND CARPET BURNS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN THAT THE SEAT CONTINUED TO FOLD DOWN FORCEFULLY WHEN THE CHILD WAS STUCK. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO FREE THE CHILD ONCE THE CHILD'S LEG WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,439. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2013
ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND THEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE PRETTY BAD. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER HOLDING UP THE CELL PHONE TO THE ENGINE, I WAS TOLD TO "TURN THAT ENGINE OFF NOW!". THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS LATER TOLD THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO AN CYLINDER WITHIN THE INTERNAL PISTON THAT BROKE FREE AND PUT A WHOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME THE MANGLED CYLINDER AND STATED HE THOUGHT THE BALL BEARINGS HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE CYLINDER TO WREAK HAVOC WITH THE ENGINE. AFTER SEEING THE PIECE THAT BROKE OFF. I FEEL THAT WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT DID NOT COME THROUGH INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT; IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY, IF IT HAD. FORD HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, SAYING THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ONLY HAPPENS "1 IN A MILLION". I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE THAT THE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IF THE BALL BEARINGS AND OR CYLINDER ARE INFERIOR. I HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. *LN
