Complaint 293577

Complaint Summary

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Owner Narrative

IN MARCH OF 1999 THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER OF MY FORD PROBE LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE WHILE I DROVE AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM OR OTHERWISE - I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SAW AND SMELLED SMOKE FROM THAT WHEEL. AT THE TIME, I HAD BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER (DILLON FORD), WHO SAID THAT BOTH HAD FAILED. ON MAY 18, 2001 (ABOUT 20,000 MILES LATER) THE REPLACEMENT LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER AGAIN LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AGAIN CAUSING THE BRAKE PADS TO OVERHEAT AND BURN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME SITUATION - HOWEVER, I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND THEY REFUSE TO GET INVOLVED, SAYING THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL OR TECH. SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THAT PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS UNSAFE TO ME - I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME.*AK

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.