Check Engine Light - I bought this vehicle new in 1996 and around the 2007 (135,000 miles) the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle in to have maintenance conducted and was told that the EGR Valve needed to be replaced in which I did and the check engine light stayed off for about 1 week and came back on I returned to the garage and they then stated that the O2 Sensors needed to be replaced in which I did and the light went out again for about a week and came back on. This same process has been repeated for the last 4-5 years with various parts being required to be replaced in order to get the light to go off and the codes to clear in order to get the vehicle to pass N.C. State safety/emissions inspection. I have had the O2 Sensors replaced 3 times, the EGR Valve 2 times, the catalyst converter once, the fuel pump, the fuel filter, cleaned everything related to the emissions, and SEA FOAMED the vehicle and the light is still on. All repairs were conducted by Certified Automotive Maintenance Facilities and the Ford Motor Company.

Even thought the Ford Dealerships usually charges more than most places, I decided to take it to the dealership to get the problem fixed once and for all. The stated that it was the fuel pump and reluctantly I decided to take their advise and replace it. Well the same evening the light came back on and I took it back and they replaced a fuel line and the light was off when I left the dealership. Well, when I left there and stopped to get gas, I noticed all of the gas running out from under the vehicle. I returned to the dealership and they stated that they forgot to hook up one of the fuel lines and fixed that a “no cost” to me. Really I said “no cost to me” - Well thank you for not charging me for your mistake!

I have spent literally THOUSANDS on the CHECK ENGINE problem with no resolve. I was recently told, by a local mechanic, that all I have to do is spend $200.00 a year on repairs and I would receive a waiver for the emissions inspection - only to repeat this yearly on "$200.00" worth of emissions type maintenance. This is a ridicules idea since I desire to have no vehicle payment and I do not want to just spend money to satisfy an "emission requirement". I have taken this vehicle to at least 5-6 different places, to include the Ford Dealership and they all continue to say that the code being read by the ODC is O2 Sensors, EGR, Catalyst Converter, Muffler, Fuel Pump, Gas cap, etc. All which have been replaced, as I stated above, several times. If I spend $200.00 plus a year for maintenance that does not fix the problem or a $1000 plus a year to "fix" the light until after inspection, why not just get a new vehicle, right? Well I don't want and cannot afford a new/newer vehicle and expect either Ford or a certified mechanic to fix the problem permanently. A NC emissions/Safety inspection should only cost me $35.00 barring any NECESSARY/REQUIRED repairs.

I could understand it being an old vehicle and things just simply wearing out, but when you are replacing the same parts annually to pass emissions inspection - THAT IS CRIMINAL - on all levels. Federal, State and Local Government, NCDOT, Ford Motor Company, and all of the Certified Repair Shops that allow this to happen to their customers. Bottom-line; What right does the average citizen have when the government implements these requirements that cost the customer thousands of dollars in unnecessary (Not Required) expenses? WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE AND WHAT DO I DO NOW? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Master Sergeant Edsen B Hughes USMC