While the car was in use and running, the timing chain cover failed resulting in the serpentine belt tensioner coming detached. The serpentine tensioner mount broke off the timing chan cover, resulting in the loss of all loads driven from the serpentine belt. This failure presents a severe safety issue as without the serpentine belt properly functioning the alternator will not generate electricity, the battery will be drained and then the electric power steering will fail. An average driver will not be able to control the vehicle without power steering and brake assistance. Until almost all of the oil has been thrown from the engine or the battery dies, there is no warning to the driver -- the driver knows nothing of this failure until the low oil pressure, alternator or check engine light comes on. The vehicle had only 62156 miles when this extraordinary failure occurred.

- Westford, MA, USA

For the past 6 months my car will periodically loose power, I would be in the middle of a busy street, in stop and go traffic, or anywhere, and suddenly have no acceleration at all. It would then jerk very violently until I just shut it off. After 2 or 3 episodes, my car would be fine for several weeks, before happening again. Early on there were no dash lights that came on and the dealership could not identify any problem. After about 4 months there was finally an engine light and a code that indicated an issue with the electronic throttle body. But the dealership says they are still not sure what is wrong with my car, because they could not duplicate the problem. Now my car is out of warranty, and I am still having the same issue, however it is occurring more frequently, to the point it is not safe to drive my car anymore. When my husband looked up the part 2 weeks ago the price was $176 ' yesterday he called to get a price and they are now $350 or more at dealerships, (grapevine Ford) that have them in stock, or dealerships that haven't jacked up the price (hiley Mazda), they are out of stock and on back order.

- Keller, TX, USA