NHTSA Complaint #10182116 — 1998 FORD EXPEDITION

ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS AN AUDIBLE, HIGH FREQUENCY RATTLE OR VIBRATION THAT IS INCREASED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, STOPPED AND IN IDLE. THE NOISE REDUCES AND OFTEN GOES AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS ARE INCREASED ABOVE 600 PER MINUTE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES, HAS HAD ALL OF THE EXHAUST BRACKETS TIGHTENED OR REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A "BACKED OUT BOLT IN THE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD", THIS BOLT WAS CHANGED BY DEALER ON THE 3RD TRIP, WITH NO CHANGE, IN FAT, THAT MADE IT WORSE. TWO DIFFERENT MUFFLER SHOPS HAVE LOOKED AT AND NOTICE NOTHING ELSE LOOSE OR MISSING. ON THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THE NOISE IS THAT THE "EXHAUST PIPE IS TORQUED AND TWISTED A LITTLE BIT FROM HEAT CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION." *NM