AC just wasn't working right. Took it in to a shop and it was said that a known problem with the valve of the compressor was bad. Replaced that. Next thing the rear evaporator core was leaking. Replaced that. Now the 1st evaporator core is malfunctioning. I decided to have Ford diagnose the car. They did. Ford wants $3000 to fix the 3rd problem.... they want $900 for the evaporator core itself.

I researched online and that price is totally outrageous. the ac runs, but not cold really.....very much a bummer on a hot Hawaii day. I am shocked that a car that is treated gently, that is serviced regularly has such a MAJOR system problem. It's not just one part. I bought this car 3 years ago, it had 65,000 miles on it.

This is a Ford Motor Company dirty little secret. The desiccant in the drier unit of the a/c system disintegrates and destroys the other components. Everything had to be replaced - condenser assembly, compressor, valve assembly, accumulator, all the lines, resister assembly. Also had to buy flushing kit, for (I assume) to flush out the evaporator which was the only thing that didn't have to be replaced.

The service advisor told me I was the third customer with this problem in the last two weeks! The Dealership later denied my being told this after an inquiry by the FMC customer relations people. I was offered a couple of free oil changes by Ford customer relations person who told me I should have purchased an extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle new in 2009. I politely rejected the oil changes as I always do my own.

I have always been a Ford/Mercury guy, but after this huge expense, I have a really bad taste in my mouth about Ford. When they- the customer relation guy- asked what would assuage my misery , I asked them to throw in the compressor gratis. They refused. Like I said, this is a recurring problem with Ford a/c units. It is a dirty (literally) little secret. The service adviser used the term "Black Death" in his initial description of the problem to me.

I purchased the car in Oct. Had no reason to use a/c til April. The problem is not covered under warranty. The dealership wanted 4,000.00 to fix it, probably could get it done cheaper elsewhere but even half of that is outrageous. I can get a/c installed in my home for that much! How can they justify that much money to fix a/c in a car! Haven't fixed it yet, probably won't, still making car payments. How much money do they expect you to pour into a car. The sad part about this is, I liked the car until this happened, now I wouldn't recommmened a Ford to anyone. Now I'll have to suffer all summer with no a/c.

Update from Aug 16, 2013: I took the car to another, more honest, mechanic. After a thorough inspection of the entire system, he found that there wasn't any problem other than it need to be charged. All the parts that were suposed to be damaged were intact. He fixed the problem and it is running fine. Once again, buyer beware. Always get a second opinion, especially if they are asking an outrageous amount of money.