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Comments
Anyone else had this issue?"
OK, I just gotta ask. Why were you pushing on those windows anyway?
Think of it as the Five Hundred wagon, but taller than a normal wagon. That's what it is!
xnappo
As an aside, Ford totally blew marketing this vehicle. I only found it when I was walking across the dealer lot after test driving the new Expedition Max/LT (potential replacement for primary family vehicle, a Suburban but no longer an option) and said,"Hey, what's this?".
Remember, it's not resale value that matters . . it's the total dollars "lost" from what you PAID for it divided by the number of YEARS that you kept it.
Dealers here aren't in fire-sale mode to dispose of the 07's yet so I'll keep waiting.
Mark
07N10 Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
July 3, 2007
TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers
SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 07N10
Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
PROGRAM TERMS
This program extends the warranty coverage of the rear brake pads to 3 years of service or 36,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already accumulated more than 36,000 miles, this coverage will last until December 31, 2007. This program provides one-time replacement coverage, and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego FWD & AWD and Ford Freestyle FWD vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through November 28, 2006.
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Freestyle AWD Vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through Job Last 2007.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS.
REASON FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Some of the affected vehicles may have had direct exposure to moisture for an extended period that may have caused the pads to “swell” and create a slight drag condition. Low levels of brake drag might not be noticed by a customer, but could lead to premature brake pad wear and excessive brake dust.
SERVICE ACTION
2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego & FWD Freestyle Vehicles
If an affected vehicle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rear rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
2005 through 2007 AWD Freestyle Vehicles
Due to the configuration of the braking system on AWD Freestyle vehicles the front brake pads must be replaced when rear brake pads are replaced. Therefore, this program will allow replacement of front brake pads, but only if the rear brake pads require replacement during the same visit.
If an affected AWD Freestyle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the front and rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
NOTE: Brake pad inspection is part of normal maintenance and is not covered as part of this program. If the vehicle is within this extended time and mileage coverage and the owner experiences a brake system symptom or during a normal maintenance inspection (brakes every 15,000 miles or more often, per the Scheduled Maintenance Guide) the vehicle's rear brake pads are found to have less than 3 millimeters (0.118 inch) of lining material, then Ford Motor Company will cover the cost of replacing the rear brake pads.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Mailing will begin July 9, 2007.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
Customer Notification Letter
QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Only) . .1-800-325-5621
Mark.
I came across a picture of a Mercury CUV on http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4219078.html
This vehicle is supposed to be a model that was shelved by Ford, well anyway, so says the guys at Popular Mechanics. I think that they are wrong about this. I think that this model will be produced at a later date. This CUV looks to be the Mercury version of the Ford Taurus X. Look closely at the headlight cluster, the new satin aluminum grill, and the lower front fascia. They ALL look like styling cues from the 2008 Mercury Sable.
On a different note, I have owned my Freestyle for 2.5 years. It has been a great vehicle. Seeing the new pricing on the Taurus X, I realize what a value the Freestyle has been. :shades:
I just don't get this "better materials needed" nonsense.
Do you stroke your Freestyle, or something? :P
I like my CVT too, but apparently we're in a very small minority that do. Americans want a transmission that "shifts". Ford has learned this lesson the hard way. Nissan is learning it now too.
All mileage figures for 2008my vehicles will appear to suck. We're just going to have to go through an adjustment period with our brains. I think it's likely that a sane driver will easily be able to do better than what the new EPA figures would suggest.
It's not about dash stroking, it's about what you touch and interact with and what we paid for it, they simply could have done a better job.
You'd think that Ford (and Nissan) could provide a firmware that would simulate a "shift" in the CVT, for those who prefer it.
Trim? Accent? Eyuck! I don't even care for the simulated wood in my Limited.
I've been a passenger in plenty of "the competition" (both foreign and domestic), and I just don't get a sense of anything better in their interiors. About the ONLY difference is that I've chosen the light tan interior for both my vehciles, and most other people seem to choose the darker colors.
Like most things in life, most people are idiots. :P
Is Nissan giving up on the CVT, as well? That would be too bad.
Thanks to the guy who posted the bulletin on the brakes. My May 2005 AWD Limited goes in for its 15,000 service tomorrow and its nice to have this in my hand, because in the past I have complained about the excessive brake dust from the rears but the last time they were checked the service group claimed their were wearing normally ...
I would like to have my car covered by the program to have both the front and rear replaced on warranty but knowing my luck my Freestyle will be one of the AWDs not covered under this warranty....
Don't think I'd like that.
knowing my luck my Freestyle will be one of the AWDs not covered under this warranty....
I got both my warranty letters (one for my Freestyle, one for the Five Hundred) on this issue yesterday.
The way I read it, it only covered the REAR brakes.
Doesn't really matter for me, since I've had very little wear amounts on both vehicles at 15k miles (last checkup).
Lady in her 70's, sharp mind and car-knowledgeable.
She went to dealer to get info. Dealer said they didn't have brochures, but they did have a car. She bought it.
It's clearly a Freestyle derivative, but with much-improved styling inside & out. Inside looks rich.
A Limited model I assume.
Did it have the power liftgate?
Was she aware of this feature?
We more than knew the derivitive part. Not sure how you run with the idea of much improved interior styling as it hasn't changed short of some contrasting colors thrown on the door panels, different gauges and a bit more shiney stuff around gauges and a few buttons. That to me hardly implies much improved and worth the price premiums they are going after. As for the exterior it's more in line worth the corporate look but again I would not give it a "much-improved" on those points.
2- Don't know
3- Don't know
They had several Tauruses as well. I have to say, I didn't much like them in pictures but in person they are actually quite nice. More aggressive looking and somehow they look larger.
I don't know what you mean by "sway". Vehicles don't sway, that I am aware of. If you mean it would "drift" from one lane into another, that can be accounted for by many things, including wind conditions, an under or over-inflated tire, or even just the crown of the road.
Where do you live that they already have so many X's in stock?
The biggest factors are the added cost of the CVT over the 6-speed with little or no mileage gain and the possibility that it won't handle the torque of the 3.5 that everyone had to have.
I think sales of the Freestyle were more a factor of marketing. I also seem to recall seeing the Nissan's sales have been trending upward over the last couple of months as their new models take off. Probably helps that they actually advertised the CVT and it's benefits.
I'm thinking body roll is what they are reacting to from the limited description. Also just because they said air pressure was correct does not mean they were the same from one to another. Correct to one might mean 32psi and correct to another might mean 34psi and that will be noticable in some cases. They also weren't clear whether they were buying new or used and that would definitely have an affect on vehicle feel one to another.
I think the comment about being driven on different roads is probably telling in this situation. In the real world of mass production though you can find variables between vehicles or maybe you found one that had bad or slightly different dampers(shocks) from the factory.
I don't think there are dealer's "tuning" a car after delivery short of making sure fluids are topped up and pressues are where they belong, Other than that how vehicles roll off the truck are pretty much how you are buying them.
the dealer is blowing smoke up, well you know where, with what they called "tuned" unless they swapped out suspension pieces or made modifications somehow in one vs. the other. I suspect they are just throwing that term around to set you up for a "tuning" fee ($) when it comes time to deal.
Ask them specifically what they do during the "tuning" process and see what they say to that as I'd love to be a fly on the wall to hear that line of information, I mean BS.