NHTSA Complaint #10135761 — 2000 FORD EXPEDITION

ON MAY 28TH, 2005 I WAS PERFORMING A PRE-VACATION SAFETY INSPECTION OF MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ANTI SWAY BAR ENDS WERE NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED SHAWNEE MISSION FORD IN SHAWNEE, KS FOR ADVICE. THEY DIRECTED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR IMMEDIATE REPAIR. AFTER ARRIVAL AT THE DEALER, I STAYED WITH THE MECHANIC TO OBSERVE REPAIRS. HE SHOWED ME TWO RUSTED AND BROKEN HALVES OF LINK THAT HAD SNAPPED IN TWO FROM CORROSION AND METAL FATIGUE. HE SAID THAT HE GETS SEVERAL OF THESE EACH WEEK ON F150S, EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORERS. HE REFERRED TO IT AS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN RECTIFIED BY A RECALL ON THE EXPLORER WITH A LARGER OR REINFORCED LINK, BUT NOT ON THE EXPEDITION OR THE F150. I DECIDED THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED OR HAVE THEIR VEHICLE DAMAGED BY THE BOTTOM HALF OF THESE LINKS FALLING OF ONTO THE ROADWAY. SECOND, I SUSPECT THE PREMATURE AND CHOPPY WEAR OF MY FRONT TIRES IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS DEFECT. SOMEONE EQUIPPED THIS VEHICLE WITH THAT ITEM FOR A REASON. IT ISN'T PERFORMING ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED WITH AN ACCEPTABLE AND SAFE PART.1 *JB