NHTSA Complaint #10220354 — 2001 FORD RANGER

I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER 4X THAT IS MAINLY USED FOR DRIVING TO WORK. IT IS ONLY TAKEN OFF THE PAVEMENT TO UNLOAD MATERIALS OR REMOVE WOOD, ETC FROM THE BACK OF MY PROPERTY. I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AT 75,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SINCE I QUESTIONED THIS, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE ALIGNMENT. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR $500, WHICH I ALSO DOUBTED. I TOLD THEM TO DO THE ALIGNMENT BUT NOT THE BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD NO REASON TO SUSPECT THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD BUT IF THEY ARE THEN I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I AM 65 AND HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF CARS. I HAVE HAD SOME FOR NEARLY 200,000 MILES BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACEMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY PROVIDED NOT HELP. THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT. *TR