Since buying the car in 2004 with 10K miles on it, I've put 120K on it. It's eaten thru 5 sets of tires. I've had them aligned every time I changed tires.. had two axle rod's break. Radio failed. Ac will constantly turn on randomly.

- Bryan, OH, USA

Both rear axles and bearings were damaged and had to be replaced. Ford has issued a bulletin on this: Article no. 03-5-5 axle-rearaxle shaft and/or axle bearing premature wear-vehicles produced before 1/1/2003. My '03 Mercury Marauder was built in Aug. '02. Both axles, bearings and seals had to be replaced at the cost of $647.55.

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

The vehicle was washed and fueled against customer?S repeated requests. Significant (additional) clear coat abrasion damage to painted body surfaces and trim. Vehicle"S engine knocked for the duration of the tank, suggesting that it was fueled with regular, not premium fuel the vehicles fuel gauge clearly reads, premium fuel only. Immediate mechanical failures: Within the first 24 hours of ownership, the vehicle exhibited three system failures. Power steering pump failed required replacement. Overdrive indicator light constantly flashing. Possible defective sensor requires replacement. Radiator fan defective requires replacement. Subsequently, other mechanical anomalies appeared: Transmission anomaly occurring repeatable. Climate control system behaving erratically. Irreparable clear coat and paint damage: Severe amount of clear coat damage to nearly 100% of the vehicles exterior. Although a few surface scratches might be expected with any new vehicle, the volume and severity of the damage to this vehicle is beyond anything I could have imagined in a new car. High resolution photo images are attached which depict all defects described below. Ten or more deep, irreparable, concentrated burn marks, caused by over-buffering, are located on the hood, drivers door, and the driver"S-side rear door, right-front quarter panel, etc. Two additional burn marks are clearly present on the trunk lid lip and trunk surface as well. These swirl marks range in diameter from a few inches to more than a foot. Thousands of foreign metallic particles are irreparably embedded into paint along all lower body panels. A small test area of the damaged surface was treated with a clear coat-safe polish, yet demonstrated no visible improvement as a result.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

Paint flaking and the buffing marks appear on hood and fenders the hoods shakes side to side and the trim is coming apart around the side windows the frontend makes noies at slow speeds like somthing is not put togeather or they forgot to tighen the nuts

- Brentwood, TN, USA

Engine cuts out around turns; misalignment, vehicle pulls drastically to the right; low hanging panel on driver's side interferes with throttle and break operations; burning odor emitting form engine compartment; fluid leaking from rear axle; smoke emitting form engine compartment; lack of acceleration between 2000-4000 RPM; engine stalls while idling; noisy clicking, clunking, and grinding sounds coming from front axle; poor acceleration between 20-40 mph; front tires rapidly wearing unevenly; squeaking from front end; loose right front exterior door handle; trunk organizer lid cracked; alarm system not working; remote entry key system inoperable; stains on leather seats; sharp edges around trunk; cruise control malfunctioning. This vehicle was purchased 02/01/03 and has been in the shop seven times for a total out-of-service time of over a month. The entire rear end was replaced but the vehicle still leaks oil. The acceleration problems are posing very dangerous driving conditions for me, as power lacks severely between 2000-4000 RPM. The front end clicks, grinds, clunks, and squeaks during driving. On most occasions while in the shop, the service departments documented that they could not duplicate my concerns even after they verbally confirmed my complaints during test drives with me. On some occasions, then attempted to make repairs without documenting it to avoid "lemon law" status. This vehicle is unsafe, unreliable, and hazardous to drive. Mlg

- Orange, CA, USA