NHTSA Complaint #10178461 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

THUMPING NOISE FROM DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END IN THE WHEEL AREA. THE NOISE IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH DURING ACCELERATION. IT ALSO BECOMES A HUMMING NOISE AS THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED AND THE CAR IS COASTING OR DECELERATING. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THEN NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. TALKED TO MY BROTHER, ANOTHER LOYAL EXPLORER OWNER, AND HE HAD SAME PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A BEARING NEEDING REPLACING. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT A LEAK ON HIS GARAGE FLOOR IN THE REAR MIDDLE OF THE CAR WHERE THE REAR AXLE IS. I TOLD HIM I HAVE SAME EXACT SPOT OF SOMETHING LEAKING ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. WE READ ABOUT ALL THE SEAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AXLE AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. HE SPENT OVER $1000 ON THE FRONT BEARINGS AND NOW IN FOR ANOTHER BIG BILL FOR THE SEAL PROBLEM. I SEE WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR EXPLORER DISAPPOINTMENTS. ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. COME ON FORD, BACK UP YOUR VEHICLE AND PAY FOR THESE DEFECTS TO YOUR SUVS. *JB