Ford has refused to replace the wiring harness in my 1995 Mercury Mystique because: The extended warranty for this vehicle expired in Jun 2005 (10 years from 'in service' date. I have owned the vehicle since Nov 2003 and never received a recall notice. Ford states a letter was sent to a previous owner. I cannot verify this and really view it as irrelevant since the harness was never accomplished on this vehicle. Is Ford not required to locate and notify subsequent owners of such a recall if the remedy has never been applied to the subject vehicle. Surely Ford would keep records of remedies applied or not applied? the defective harness has rendered this vehicle completely unuseable, it now sits in the front yard. I cannot afford the repairs on my own (I'm a single mother with a 3 year old). I cannot sell the vehicle in it's present inoperable state. The crux of my complaint is that I feel Ford should have made a diligent effort to locate the owners of vehicles affected and which were not repaired as part of the recall. I have contacted Ford customer service by phone and E-mail and they refuse to review the matter further. Can you help me?

- Pensacola, FL, USA

The majority of the insulation on the wiring of the engine compartment has become very brittle. Whenever a wire is touched the insulation falls off. This could cause a fire because some of the wires come directly from the battery. In the last three years I have contacted the Ford Motor Company or repersentative and reported this problem. I never got a response. At the present I cannot afford to replace this vehicle, I will as soon as I can. The wiring needs to be look at by some one. Ten years is not long, actually it was seven years when I first noticed the insulation problem.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

While the vehicle was parked it caught 0N fire from underneath the hood area.

- Tampa, FL, USA

While driving and without warning vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Dealership was notified, vehicle was serviced. However, vehicle was continued to be used, miles later vehicle became inoperable. The engine cooling fan motor and wire harness caught on fire, dealer replaced the engine cooling fan assembly and main fuse, dealer also repaired the burnt wiring, 2 years later, consumer received recalls 00V367, 99M03, 99M06, 00S44/00M13 and 00S44, consumer has not been reimbursed for any of the repairs. Dealer replaced right rear weather stripping and reinstalled mold around the handle due to the weather strip bowing. Tape player would not eject. Vehicle was hard to steer, especially when raining, dealer could not duplicate problem. Front brake pads were replaced and rotors were machined due to vibration when braking. Vehicle was running rough and acting like it wanted to stall, dealer replaced spark plug wires, vehicle later stalled. Right blinker too fast, dealer replaced right rear turn signal bulb.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

With no warning wiring harness had snapped, causing vehicle not to run. Cause unknown dealer notified.

- Austin, TX, USA

While driving about 10-20 mph noticed smoke from under the hood. She pulled over and saw flames. Fire department put out fire. Damage unknown at this time. Please add further comments.

- New Haven, CT, USA

While traveling at 30mph temperature gauge went to hot, and vehicle completely died. Rep at dealership had vehicle towed to dealer, and they reported that wires had melted underhood which resulted in wiring harness needed to be replaced. Recall 00V367 dealing with overheating related to the problem consumer had with vehicle, however dealer will not do any recall repairs due to mileage of vehicle.

- Fort Odgen, FL, USA

Had dealer install electronic fuse module. Noticed the three wires to the fan plug has exposed copper wire strands due to insulation heat damage making the wires to radiator fan unsafe. Defective and heat damaged wiring to the fan is another reason a resulting underhood fire can be started.S

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Consumer received recall 99M03, however the wire harness and blower motor had been replaced prior to recall, dealer would not reimburse consumer for any repairs that were complete even though the recall letter states that prior failures of the component would be fully refunded.

- Columbia, SC, USA

Vehicle caught on fire due to the fuel rail injectors bursting and causing fuel to leak into engine. Vehicle suffered a total loss. Also, caught on fire on 10/28/98 due to wiring harness overheating which was later covered under warranty.

- Plano, TX, USA

Heater blower switch is blowing out, and blower does not work. Also, consumer found wiring harness burned up underneath engine.

- Greensboro, GA, USA

We have owned said 1995 Mercury for 2 years.we did not recieve any defect notification on wiring problems.all under hood wiring insulation is cracked and peeling off. Local dealer says warranty only covers cars 5 years old or 100,000 miles. Manufacturer refuses to honor 8 year safty defect warranty.

- Booneville, MS, USA

Dangerous problem plase contact owner as soon al posible, 787-258-4177

- Caguas, PR, USA

Vehicle is accelerating slowly. Took car to the dealer for a tune up, and was told exposed wiring from the transmission harness causes the slow acceleration.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Wiring harness. Shorted out.

- North Lauderdale, FL, USA

Wiring harness shorted out.

- North Lauderdale, FL, USA

Problem with fan motor led to our taking vehicle into dealer. Their inspection revealed severe deterioration to wiring harness insulation which service manager said might lead to a fire hazard. Ford area rep contacted and offered $1,500 payment toward $2,500 bill. This all took place yesterday, June 10, 1999. I did not authorize any replacement to be done pending further conversation with Ford and request that they replace defective wiring harness at no charge to me. Please also note that in June 1998, I completed and filed another vehicle owner's questionanaire, this time having to do with defective wiring relating to the ABS system. I received no response from that from dot or Ford. This problem, having to do with defective weatherproof covering on the 22 pin electrical connector that controls ABS and traction control circuits and causes inadvertent braking. I believe these are problems that need the attention of your Agency before injuries or fatalaties take place.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

At the speed of 55 mph the car shuts down in the rain or the transmisson slips in and out of gears. Recently the check engine light appeared with the air conditioner. I believe its an ongoing electrical issue.

- Madison, WI, USA

Electrcial harness wiring has no installation which could result in a fire, cause unknown.

- Colonia, NJ, USA

Battery light comes on intermittently. During inspection dealer found nothing. Dealer contacted again, states that the entire car needs to be rewired, estimated costs - $3500. Driving approximately 35-40 mph, vehicle stopped and will not start until jump starting, dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Washington, DC, USA