2009 Ford Mustang Problems

The contact owns a 2009 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V319000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

The contact owned a 2009 Ford Mustang. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V081000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as he no longer owns the vehicle. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The VIN was unavailable.

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to have been in an accident with my children. I only have approximately 27,000 miles on this vehicle and it is not modified in any way. I have the dealership documentation as well that I can email at a later date. I unfortunately do not have it in electronic format at this time.

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V319000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER IS LEAKING UNDER THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE DUCT WORK AND ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. HEAVY RAINS HAVE CAUSED AS MUCH AS 5 INCHES OF WATER TO LAY ON PASSENGER FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE SMART JUNCTION BOX TO MALFUNCTION AND CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I NOW HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW BOX AND HAVE IT PROGRAMMED, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE READ ARTICLES ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2009 MUSTANGS. FORD HAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. NOT ONLY IS IT EXPENSIVE TO FIX, IT ALSO IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE TO IGNITE WITHIN THE CAR. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD MUSTANG ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET 30 MPH, WHEN I TURNED A CORNER (10 MPH) I ATTEMPTED TO HONK MY HORN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MY CAR ACCELERATED WITH A HARD RIGHT STRAIGHT INTO A DUMPSTER DAMAGING THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR 6 MONTHS BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND THE HORN HAD NOT WORKED, WE DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG AT THIS TIME. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE BECAUSE THE CAR BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, THE IMPACT WAS SO FORCEFUL IT BENT THE FRAME OF THE CAR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS ESTIMATED AT $7000.00.

BASICALLY, I FIRST NOTICED THE PAINT BUBBLING UP ON THE FRONT EXTERIOR EDGE OF MY HOOD ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AFTER BUYING THE CAR NEW. IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE GENTLEMAN AT THE BODY SHOP SAID THAT HE'D SEEN IT MANY TIMES ON MUSTANGS AND OTHER FORD MODELS AND THAT THE PROBLEM MOST LIKELY WOULD RETURN AND IT DID. AFTER REPORTING IT A SECOND TIME, I TRIED TO CLAIM FOR A NEW HOOD FROM FORD BUT THEY FLAT OUT REFUSED. I ALSO REPORTED IT TO MILITARY AUTOSOURCE ON LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK (THE BOSS ACTUALLY) AND HE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP ME GET A NEW HOOD BUT THEY REFUSED HIM AS WELL. FORTUNATELY, I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE I'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY MUSTANG, THE MOST SERIOUS BEING THE PLAY/BACKLASH IN MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEING WAY OUT OF LIMITS. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE BETWEEN 0.2 AND 0.3MM. I HAD TO GET A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CHECKED IT PROPERLY AND FOUND THAT THE PLAY/BACKLASH WAS ALMOST 5MM. THIS IS WHAT HAS BEEN CAUSING THE "CLUNK" IN MY DRIVE TRAIN. FORTUNATELY, THE BOSS AT MILITARY AUTOSOURCE CONTACTED A TOP MECHANIC AT FORD TO GET THE INFO I NEEDED TO GET THE DIFFERENTIAL ADJUSTED/REPAIRED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAFE TECH AUTO GLASS- JOE MYERS FORD 16634 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77040 WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

DURING SAFETY INSPECTION, ON A 2009 FORD MUSTANG, LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DISCOVERED AS DEFECTIVE. PREMATURE FAILURE, VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 53,000. *TR

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to have been in an accident with my children. I only have approximately 27,000 miles on this vehicle and it is not modified in any way. I have the dealership documentation as well that I can email at a later date. I unfortunately do not have it in electronic format at this time.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

The clutch/flywheel/ and or other components of the drive train/engine/transmission connection are faulty and are known to fail for the 2007-2009 Shelby Ford Mustang GT 500 as documented in the numerous Ford Technical Service Bullitens (TSB). This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Late this summer (2023), I was driving this vehicle with my kids in the car and attempting to merge on the entry ramp for the expressway. I experienced a sudden loss of acceleration and the RPMs immediately "redlined". I had to pull over to the shoulder of the expressway so I would not be rear-ended. I researched this issue and found hundreds of posts on Mustang forums documenting this known issue and the TSB issued by Ford. I have reached out to Ford directly and had my vehicle inspected at a Ford Dealership. The Ford Dealership indicated the issues were consistent with the known defective parts. There were zero warnings either by warning lights or symptoms and I am just fortunate to have been in an accident with my children. I only have approximately 27,000 miles on this vehicle and it is not modified in any way. I have the dealership documentation as well that I can email at a later date. I unfortunately do not have it in electronic format at this time.

SERVO ON TRANSMISSION PUSHED SNAP OUT OF RETAINING GROOVE CAUSING LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED.SERVO PUSHED OUT OF TRANS,CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL THAN LURCHED AHEAD ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT500 - AT 18,000 MILES THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SLIP WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR TO M PURCHASING DEALER AND REQUESTED A DIAGNOSTIC, THEY INDEED CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR EXHIBITED THE PROBLEM BUT INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A WEAR ITEM WITH ONLY A 12 MS/12K WARRANTY. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE CLUTCH AND ITS FLYWHEEL INDICATING THAT HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WILL WARP THE FLYWHEEL AND IN TURN RUIN THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION. FORD DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (IDENTIFIED IN THE TSB,NHTSA 10032615 - TSB-09-19-11). *TR

I HAVE A FORD MUSTANG 2009 V-6, I WAS IN 2ND GEAR ACCELERATING TO PASS SOMEONE, AND GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR,COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, STILL DID IT. I FINALLY TURNED ENGINE OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS OK. SCARED ME, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. CALL DEALERSHIP, SAYS IT DOES NOT KNOW WHY. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2009 MUSTANG AND AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, HE SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED QUICKLY ON ITS OWN. HE SAID THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, HE TRIED PUSHING BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT STOPPING THE CAR. IT SENT HIM THROUGH ANOTHER INTERSECTION, HE ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. LUCKILY HIS CAR WENT THROUGH AN AREA OF SOGGY GRASS THAT HELPED SLOW THE CAR DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP BY RUNNING INTO HEDGES AND RESTING NEXT TO A BRICK CHURCH. HE DESCRIBED HEARING THE RPM'S REVVING UP ALONG WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HE ALSO DESCRIBED THE STEERING WHEEL AS "LOCKING UP".

MY 2009 MUSTANG 6CID, WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE IN AN UP AND DOWN MOTION. THEN IT STARTED TO BECOME LOOSE IN A SIDE TO SIDE MOTION TO A LESS OF A DEGREE THAN THE UP AND DOWN MOTION. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND BY THE TIME I ARRIVED THERE IT HAD GOTTEN WORSE! THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL ON WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER DRIPPING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE GLOVE BOX. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS, INTERIOR LIGHTING, DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL, AND HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LAMPS HAVE DEBRIS THAT INTERFERES WITH THE VISIBILITY. IF VISIBILITY IS REDUCED, THE RISK OF A CRASH IS INCREASED. THE CONSUMER TO 2 DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER CHARGED $525 FOR HIGH INTENSITY LOW QUALITY LIGHTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/9/09 *CN UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB

I WAS COASTING TO RED LIGHT WHEN IT FELT LIKE MY CAR JUST WENT WITHOUT ME ACCELERATING MY SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH I WAS T BONED. *TR

MY SON WAS PULLING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE WHICH IS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED. HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. HE RAMMED INTO A WEIGHT MACHINE AND CABINET IN THE GARAGE WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE ACROSS THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE FORD MOTOR CO AND I REQUESTED AN INSPECTOR TO COME AND EXAMINE THE VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL, BRAKE OVERRIDE AND AIR BAGS FOR DEFECTS BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE JUST THE BODY WORK DONE AND THEN BE PUT BACK INTO THE CAR AND HAVE THE SITUATION HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM THE STORE. AS I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL IN THE GARAGE THE CAR ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE FRONT OF MY GARAGE. THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD. I HAVE SKID MARKS THE WHOLE WAY UP MY DRIVE INTO MY GARAGE FROM THE CAR BEING PUSHED FORWARD BY THE FRONT TIRES..... I WILL BE REPORTING THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS THEIR WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR FORD MUSTANGS 2005-2010 IF PURCHASED IN SELECT STATES, MINE BEING FLORIDA, WHICH WAS PART OF THIS LAWSUIT. (WAS REPORTED IN USATODAY FOR 3/23/13) I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THIS. MY CAR'S FRONT END AND ENTIRE LEFT DRIVER SIDE IS DESTROYED AS WELL AS MY GARAGE. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED MY SON'S BIKE TO COME THROUGH MY HOUSE. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON FEB 2, 2010. MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY BECAUSE MULLINAX FORD CO. HERE IN FLA. PUT SEATCOVERS OVER CLOTH SEATS. SO ACTUALLY THE AIRBAG HAD TO DEPLOY OUT OF TWO SEATS. I HAD PAID $950.00 FOR LEATHER SEATS NOT SEATCOVERS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED MY CAR WILL NOT PUT THE SEATCOVER BACK ON SO NOW I HAVE SEATCOVERS ON ALL THE SEATS EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG EQUIPPED WITH COOPER ZEON R53-61R20 TIRES, SIZE: 255/40/ZR19-XL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE CROWN AT THE MIDDLE OF REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SPLIT AND DETACHED. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED IN CHANGING THE TIRE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED MARVIS DISCOUNT TIRE CENTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE HE DID NOT PURCHASE THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE TIRE CENTER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (COOPER TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD POSSIBLY REFUND THE COST OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE HAD THREE MORE COOPER TIRES THAT COULD HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,944.

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND TRYING TO EVADE A DRIVER WHO RAN A STOP SIGN, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES OF MY 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE BRAKES DID LOCK AND THE CAR SKID LEAVING TIRE MARKS FOR SEVERAL FEET. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS FOR AT LEAST THE PAST 15 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BRAKE BEHAVIOR ACROSS ANY OF THOSE VEHICLES AS I DID TODAY.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD MUSTANG. THE WINDSHIELD IS MAGNIFIED AND DISTORTED. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE VISIBILITY IS UNCLEAR AND PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK. THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

THIS NOTIFICATION INVOLVES MY BRAND NEW 2009 FORD MUSTANG GT PREMIUM CONVERTIBLE AND THE USE OF CHILD SEAT TETHERS. WHEN ONE INSTALLS A CHILD SEAT IN THIS VEHICLE AND RUNS A TETHER STRAP OVER THE HEAD REST OF THE REAR SEAT, THE FORD MANUAL STATES THAT THE TETHER SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE INDICATED ANCHOR HOOK. THIS ANCHOR HOOK IS DOWN IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE POWER CONVERTIBLE TOP STOWS WHEN IT IS OPENED. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP GOES THROUGH THE OPENING PROCESS, THE FIRST PART OF THE ROOF THAT IS LOWERED DOWN INTO THE ROOF STORAGE COMPARTMENT IS THE HARD REAR-WINDOW GLASS PART OF THE ROOF. AS THE REAR-WINDOW BEGINS TO LOWER ITSELF INTO THE STORAGE WELL, IT COMES DOWN ON TOP OF THE TETHER BUCKLE. WHEN THE REAR-WINDOW CONTACTS THE TETHER BUCKLE, TWO SERIOUS THINGS HAPPEN (OR COULD HAPPEN). FIRST, AND MOST SERIOUSLY, THE PRESSURE FROM THE REAR-WINDOW CAN CAUSE CERTAIN TYPES OF TETHER BUCKLES TO LOOSEN WITH THE DOWNWARD PRESSURE FROM THE REAR-WINDOW. THIS, OF COURSE, LOOSENS A KEY SAFETY BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE CHILD RIDING IN THE CHILD SEAT. THE LOOSENING OF THIS ATTACHMENT COULD PUT THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT AT GREATER RISK OF INJURY, WITHOUT A PARENT KNOWING IT HAS OCCURRED. SECOND, THE CONTACT OF THE REAR-WINDOW WITH THE TETHER BUCKLE COULD DAMAGE THE REAR-WINDOW GLASS, THE FABRIC ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP AND/OR THE MOTOR MECHANISM WHICH DRIVES THE ENTIRE ROOF STRUCTURE. LUCKILY, I WAS SMART ENOUGH TO FORESEE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE LOWERING MY ROOF ALL THE WAY AFTER CHILD SEATS WERE INSTALLED. THUS, I KNOW TO AVERT THE RISK OF THE POTENTIAL LOOSENING OF THE TETHER BUCKLE. HOWEVER, I WONDER HOW MANY PARENTS ARE DRIVING AROUND AT THIS VERY MOMENT THINKING THAT THE TETHERS ON THEIR CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS ARE SECURE, WHEN THEY MAY NOT BE. *TR