NHTSA Complaint #10174927 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10174927
Vehicle	2003 FORD EXPLORER
Component	POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Date of Incident	November 30, 2006
Date Filed	December 1, 2006
Mileage	30,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	Yes
State	MD

Consumer Description

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE BINDING, SHUDDER SENSATION IN THE REAR AXEL DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. IT ALSO HAS A WHINING SOUND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TYPICALLY 55 - 70 MPH). THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS TO REBUILD THE REAR AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - AT MY EXPENSE SINCE THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY TIME LIMIT IS UP. IF LET GO, THE FORD DEALER INDICATES THE REAR AXLE COULD 'BLOW UP' (THEIR WORDS), RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE TO THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE DISCOVERED AT LEAST SIX (6) TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD ON THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BAD DESIGN AND LATENT DEFECT WHICH CAN EFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

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