NHTSA Complaint #10129995 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER (2002) USED FROM TOYOTA DEALER. DROVE FINE FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. BEGINNING IN MARCH (2005), UPON ACCELERATION (ESP. ON HILLS), VEHICLE LURCHES/SHUDDERS AS IT GAINS SPEED. HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS, WITH NO RESOLUTION (INITIALLY SAID THAT MY NEW TIRES WERE 1/4-INCH DIFFERENT IN SIZE...TIRES WERE REPLACED AND PROBLEM CONTINUED). CONTINUOUS LURCHING FINALLY FRIED THE GEM MODULE (AND FRONT/REAR SPEED SENSORS). FORD STILL DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. TOOK IT TO REPUTABLE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRES, NOR SENSORS, BUT A PROBLEM WITH "SLOP" IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS SLOP MADE THE 4X4 AUTO SENSE SLIPPAGE AND COMPENSATE, BUT MORE SLOP MEANT MORE SLIPPAGE AND MORE COMPENSATION, HENCE THE REPEATED LURCHING FEELING. GRAPHICAL ELECTRICAL CHART INDICATED THAT 4X4 WAS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING APPROXIMATELY 40X A SECOND. AFTER-MARKET WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER REPAIR AT LOCAL MECHANIC, SO BROUGHT CAR TO FORD DEALER (6TH TIME), WHO "THINK" PROBLEM IS IN THE TRANSFER CASE.