NHTSA Complaint #10034278 — 2000 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE WHEEL VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE SEVERITY OF THE OF THE VIBRATION ALMOST MADE THE TRUCK UNCONTROLLABLE. *AK THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD SERVICE DEALER AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS AIR IN THE RACK & PINION STEERING WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THE AIR APPARENTLY ENTERED THROUGH THE HOUSING SEALS WHEN THE TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED AFTER THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND THE TRUCK HAD TO BE MANUALLY STEERED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ONLY WAY FOR THE AIR TO BE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSING, WAS TO RUN THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE AIR CIRCULATED WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND ESCAPED AT THE RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB