1986 MERKUR XR4TI User Comment / Complaint

Optitron instrumentation: not easy to read in broad daylight. when driving, it's important to keep your eyes on the road. under normal daylight conditions, instrument readings are virtually invisible. current speed necessary to set cruise control. poor design: at night, or under low ambient light conditions (dusk, heavy shade, rain, etc.) instrument lighting is exceptional: all elements of the instrument cluster are very clear, very visible. under normal daylight conditions (with sun overhead - not shining directly on the panel) the illumination level within the cluster is insufficient to provide easy visibility. (staring intently will yield results - a definite safety issue in a moving vehicle.) in order to set the cruise control, it is necessary to know exactly what speed the vehicle is at: very difficult to see in broad daylight. (the maufacturer advertises their optitron instrumentation as "illuminated for faster and easier reading".)  view

Brakes developed pulsation and vibration on application at any speed. dealer replaced front brakes and rotors to correct problem. problem continues to recur requiring replacement of same components. four failuires experienced in 31,000 miles and 24 months of driving. obviously a defective brake design.  view

While driving the engine just quits.  view

While driving vehicle at any speed applied brakes and without warning vehicle would vibrate violently. the front brakes failed causing the steering wheel to shudder. the front pads were warped and were gripping unevenly, also the right and left rotors had metal flake.  view

Vehicle was parked and consumer got out of vehicle and noticed left front end of vehicle had dropped onto tire. consumer had taken vehicle to dealer who stated that torsion bar was broken. cause unknown. consumer stated that the vehicle could have caused a crash due to the lack of control. estimated  view

Brake lights are inoperable. dealer has been notified. please provide further information.  view

The zenon headlights are blinding also for the driver of the car equipped with them. the reflection on objects and signs is annoying , blinding and a nuisance.they also tire the eyes much more. i am 52. i know you have a study on this and wanted to contribute this, as a driver and of course also as ad driver facing cars equipped with them. they should be banned.  view

On 4/25/2002, middle finger on right hand was broken by power window on right rear side of car. there is no safety device to stop window from rolling up when it meets with resistance from object in window. i am in hand therapy and this is august, it still may be another 6 mos before it is healed.  view

During normal driving conditions brakes routinely fail when applying brakes while going over any kind of bumps. brakes eventually come back on as long as i continue to apply pressure to the pedal. initially thought my foot had slipped off of the pedal slightly and deployed anti-lock brakes, however, after 5 times this does not seem to be the case. i have read the consumer complaints section of this site and this appears to be a common problem on s-10 trucks.  view

Car bottomed out with three passengers - lbs 210,123,115+30lb dog and luggage. how can an suv touted to haul 3500 lb trailer, seat five, have a luggage rack.bottomout at every expansion joint from here to maineand back??? we were not carrying lead or gold in the suit cases. called pat gauss and he suggested air bag assists. no thanks, its trade in time.  view