NHTSA Complaint #10144171 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

WE OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS RECENTLY IN THE SHOP AT 45K MILES FOR A WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE SERVICE GUY SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS SURPRISED IT DIDN'T START AT 12K. WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION IN ORDER TO FIX A LEAK AND WHINING NOISE FROM THE AREA. HE SAID WE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY SEE LEAKING FLUID BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST OF 1300. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING IS GOING OUT. 250.00 TO REPAIR THIS. THE SERVICE GUY ALSO TOLD ME THAT UNTIL FORD CAME OUT WITH A DIFFERENT REPAIR PART HE HAD NEEDED TO REPLACE IT SEVERAL TIMES ON AT LEAST ONE EXPLORER. THEY HAD ONE IN THAT DAY TO REPAIR OTHER THAN MINE IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. *JB