NHTSA Complaint #10135739 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

1. I NOTICED A HUMMING TYPE SOUND THAT WOULD INCREASE AS I SPED UP. I THOUGHT I HAD A WHEEL OUT OF ALIGNMENT, OR TIRE OFF BALANCE. I WAS DUE FOR MY 36,000 MILE MAINTENANCE CHECK, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. THEY PERFORMED A $400.00 MAINTENANCE PACKAGE TO MY VEHICLE ON MAY 4, 2004, OF WHICH I THOUGHT INCLUDED INSPECTING TIRES, WHEELS, ETC. THEY RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME AND AS I DROVE HOME, NOTICED THE HUMMING SOUND WAS STILL OCCURRING, BUT I JUST HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED, AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A NOISE THAT WAS NORMAL. 2. THE NOISE CONTINUED ON, GETTING WORSE (LOUDER) AND WAS BOTHERSOME, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. UPON REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE, HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. 3. ON JULY 3, 2004 THE RR HUB ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $360.52. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE. BUT, AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER MECHANICS, I HAVE HEARD THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE AND WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TOO.