NHTSA Complaint #10086502 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS AND IT HAS BEEN INTO THE FORD SERVICE-REPAIR SHOP A TOTAL 0F 37 WORK HOURS -10 DOCUMENTED SERVICE DAYS FOR AN ANNOYING TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DASH-CONSOLE-ENGINE AREA THAT CAN NOT SEEM TO BE REPAIRED. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER OR NOT THAT THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM, THE WEATHER CONDTIONS HOT-DRY OR HUMID AND WET, IT STILL TICKS INTERMITENTLY FOR SOMETIMES AROUND 8 MINUTES OR CAN GO ON FOR 20 AT THAT MOMENT. WHEN IT STARTS IT SOUNDS LIKE A TOGGLE SWITCH GOING ON AND OFF AND THEN MAKES A RUBBING ,SQUEAKING , TICKING NOISE THAT STARTS OFF LOW AND THEN GETS SO LOUD THAT YOU CAN HEAR IT WITH THE RADIO ON SET AT A SLIGHTLY HIGH VOLUME. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE AIR IS ON OR OFF, THE RADIO-CD IS ON OR OFF OR THE HEAT IS ON OR OFF. ALL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN TESTED . THE FRONT DASH HAS BEEN REMOVED NUMEROUS TIMES AND REINSULATED, A NEW RADIO HAS BEEN PUT IN, THE WINSHIELD REPLACED, VENTS AND GLOVE BOX REMOVED AND WIRING CHECKED. ONCE THE SOUND STARTS, BUMPINESS IN THE ROAD SEEMS TO PRODUCE THE SOUND LOUDER AND MORE OFTEN. ALSO WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL ON A WINDING ROAD THAT IS SOMEWHAT BUMPY ALSO PRODUCES THE SOUND. IT IS NOT A PLEASURE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AS I STATED FOR THIS PROBLEM EVER SINCE 2002. IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2001. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANY DIFFFERENT TECHS. CA NOT FIND OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I WOULD GET RID OF IT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT HONESTLY SELL A LEMON IN GOOD FAITH. THIS VEHICLE BODY WISE IS IS EXCELLENT CONDITION AND ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT. AS I SEE IT, I HAVE ONLY HAD A PERFECT VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR OUT OF THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL TO FORD AND THAT IS ONLY WHAT I HAVE OWNED THE LAST 28 YEARS AND CURRENTLY OWN 3 OTHER FORD VEHICLES. MY FATHER WORKED AND RETIRED FROM FORD MOTOR CO. HIS WHOLE LIFE AND NONE OF US HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED SUCH DISAPPOINTMENT IN ONE OF THEIR PRODUCTS. *AK