Consumer Complaint Detail

FORD / CROWN VICTORIA / 2003

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 003241529 Incident Date: Oct, 21 2003
Consumer's City: PHILADELPHIA Consumer's State: PA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Ford Motor Company
Model Name: CROWN VICTORIA Model Year: 2003
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Engine and engine cooling:engine
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 2FAFP73W63X Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Oct, 21 2003 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Jan, 07 2003
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 8 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: I purchased a 2003 crown victoria new. the engine devoloped a pinging noise which was recognized by the dealer. the car is under warranty. i received a call from the dealer stating it was an engine problem and they were on the phone with the ford hotline tech trying to come up with a solution. they felt the engine was running "too lean" but they weren't sure. they needed the advise from ford motor company. an hour later another call was received from the dealer stating ford told them they had many complaints about the pinging problem in crown victorias on the east coast. it has been determined by ford motor company that it is a problem with the gasoline on the east coast and therefore, the problem cannot be fixed. i was told i could try a higher octane gas, allthough this was not recommended by the owners manual. when first discuusing this problem with the dealer, i told him i had this same problem with my previous car, a 1999 ford windstar, and had been told by the previous dealer to use a higher octane gasoline. the response from this dealer is "that won't solve the problem." frustrated, i called ford's customer service. after explaining my problem i was told i had a good question and they would have to put me on hold while they researched the answer. the answer was "as this is caused by contaminated gas, the repair is not covered by the warranty. i'm now completely confused as the dealer wants to fix the problem but can't because ford has determined its the east coast gas. the treatment of the ford customer service was appalling. my way of thinking is if its a gasoline problem, wouldn't all crown vic's ping. in the final anaylsis, the consumer(me) is stuck again. this whole episode to me is so ludicrous, that maybe i write a play about the incident but i doubt anyone would buy it. i want to thank you for taking the time to read this complaint. if nothing else i hope it adds a little chuckle to your day. *la