10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

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problem #1

Nov 291999

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
This automobile was purchased new in September, 1996. The car now has 31,066 original owner driven miles on it. On 11/27/99, I took the car into a local shop (express oil change) for brake inspection. The car needed front brake pads and when the front wheel brake rotors were turned, all that was left on them was.965 in useable metal. The mechanic told me the rotors would have to be replaced on my next brake pad replacement. I walked across the street to vulcan Lincoln-Mercury dealership and asked Mr. Marshall avery (service advisor) why the problem with brake rotors on my automobile, and he stated that Ford was not using the same metal thickness once used in manufacture of brake rotors would be his guess. Why does an automobile which is minimally driven to and from work not have front brake rotors large enough in thickness to allow more than one turning? it would seem that Ford Motor Company has reduced the thickness of its brake rotors to a dangerously thin level. This is a rip-off of the automotive consumer in that only 31,000 miles can be expected with a pair of front brake rotors and on the next brake replacement the rotors must be discarded and new ones purchased. In addition, it is a dangerous condition whereas a set of rotors which is turned once now is below the minimum dot requirement (.974) for thickness. I have sent a note via E-mail to Ford Motor Company to their consumer assistance center, but have not received a reply. I would like to know how this situation has come about. I have owned many vehicles, but this is the first time front brake rotors have been an alarming issue in my maintenance program for my car. This situation concerns me due to the fact that my wife alone uses this car, and I am no longer sure of the safety of the brake system. It is my personal thinking that the use of a specific front brake pad which is not compatible with the rotor thickness has caused undue and early rotor wear on this size automobile. Thank you for listening.

- Hoover, AL, USA