Subject:    1998 Ford Windstar GL 3.8

To:         fordsucks@tgrigsby.com

Todd,

I am writing but will make a very very long story as short as I can.  I
LEASED what was my very first BRAND NEW CAR (VAN). The first item which
needed attention was the tie rods which were replaced under warranty, no
problem. Then there was the fact that I could never put more than 14 - 15
gallons of gas in the car after the warning light came on indicating that I
was low on fuel.  Back to the dealer.  They had not installed the 25 gallon
tank that I had ordered and paid for, and suggested that they would refund
the difference in cost ( I think about 38.00 ) or so.  I declined their
gracious offer and requested that the proper tank be installed, which they
did.  Shortly thereafter I filled up again and could get no more than 15 - 16
gallons in the tank.  I called the dealer to inquire if there was a different
sending unit or some sort of adjustment that need to be made.  His response
was that  the fuel remaining in the tank after the light came on was the
reserve, the sending units were the same.  I responded that almost 10 gallons
of fuel seem to be a lot as a reserve!!!!  No response to that.

Then, after the car was about 14 months old I drove into my business, which
is located in an industrial park, the drive which has the slopped entrance
curbs.  I am almost 50 years old so my reckless driving days are long gone,
but when slowly pulled into the lot I felt and heard what sounded to me like
a twisting sensation.  I took it back to the dealer and had them check it
out.  They put it on their rack and determined that nothing seemed to be
wrong, and none of the welds had come apart, and could find nothing wrong.
Shortly thereafter I notice that the sliding door and rear hatch no longer
operated properly, the rear hatch is canted to the left by almost 5/8", the
dash board and front interior door panels no longer line up the the dash,
etc.  Nothing changed as far as driving, so for the most part left it alone.

Now to the big one.  I attended a conference at Ford in Michigan about two
months ago, and meet with some of the employees of Ford.  The only one of the
five we met that was of any help was a lady who worked at the assembly plant
where the van was built.  She by far showed the most interest, and DID FOLLOW
UP with us to see if we had been contact by anyone at Ford about our meeting
and concerns. However, during the meeting, I mentioned that I felt my
speedometer was not accurate.  And that I had three instances where city
streets had the portable units on the side of the road, and they all
indicated that when my speedometer showed 35-36 MPH, the sign showed that I
was doing 28 MPH. Never gave it much thought till this meeting.  I was told
that Ford typically sets their speedometers 1 -2 MPH over what the actual
speed is to somewhat reduce the chances of getting a ticket. I then inquired
about the relationship with the odometer.  It is directly controlled through
the speedometer.  WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That means that my car
theoretically can have any much as 25% more mileage than I have actually
driven.  WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That could mean that any miles I put on my car
over the lease amount is going to cost me $0.15 per mile.
WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    We are in the process of talking now to see how
this situation can be resolved.  Yeh Right!!!!!!!!!

When my dealings with Ford on concluded, I would be more than happy to
provide names and telephone numbers of the people which manage the Executive
Offices which relate to customer complaints, unless you alread have them.

More to come when they conclude their Customer First policy with me.