NHTSA Complaint #10172782 — 2002 FORD RANGER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL COULD BE CHANGED AT A CHARGE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE TRUCK SHOOK PROFUSELY. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLES WERE CRACKED AND THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ADMITTED THERE WAS A RECALL BUT STATED THAT IT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL HADN'T EXPIRED IT JUST DIDN'T EXIST FOR THE CONSUMER'S RANGER. THE SERVICE REP WHEN ON TO TELL THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL WAS FIR 2002 RANGER 4X4 WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *NM