I have had this car for one year and one half. I bought it from ray hudson Chevrolet in la crosse, wis. I had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Two weeks after the front and back brakes had to be replaced. This was at the dealers exspense. I had to have a wheel bearing replaced and now after a year and 1/2 I have to replace the whole motor.

- Winona, MN, USA

The consumer experienced engine trouble. The consumer then opened the hood and saw flames. The consumer first noticed there was a problem when the vehicle sputtered. Upon stopping he noticed smoke coming out of the front end. The consumer put the flames out with a soda.

- Gibraltar, MI, USA

The water pump failed on a 1996 Mercury Sable because sand from the engine casting got into the water pump

- Cleveland, OH, USA

I was traveling home from my first long distance trip from Napa, ca. To ventura, ca. When without any warning the cars temperature gauge went straight to hot, the engine light came on and the car lost total power, result? two blown head gaskets, numerous cooling parts replaced. When Ford was contacted about reimbursement for a known defect (head gaskets) they said the goodwill policy doesn't count in my case because I took it to a repairshop other than Ford. So here I am out $2,724.62 repair costs $400. Towing cost and another $250. In rental cost. I believe that I should be reimbursed my costs even though I didn't have the car repaired by Ford, because I didn't know about the extended "goodwill" warranty until after the fact. So here is another sob story about defective head gaskets not being fixed. Ford knows about this serious problem and refuses to fix it.

- Ventura, CA, USA

Vehicle experiencing problems with the heating/cooling system, consumer noticed brown corrosion in the radiator and reservoir, the radiator cap was replaced and a super flush was done to stop the problem, after the flush the heat still didn't work as it should, at the end of November, the consumer had to replace the radiator because of the corrosion, now there are signs of anti-freeze in the tailpipe, which could be a sign that the corrosion could be getting into the engine and possibly warping the heads.

- Two Harbors, MN, USA

Consumer had recall repair work on the heating and cooling system in April, now the freeze out plugs have gone bad and there is a blown gasket.

- Washington, DC, USA