NHTSA Complaint #10249661 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

I HAVE A 2002 XLT EXPLORER WITH THE 4WD NOT WORKING. DURING MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FOR REPLACEMENT THE 4X4 CM UNIT FAILS AND THE 4WD SYSTEM BECOMES INOP. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS UPGRADED THE MOTOROLA UNIT WITH THE END RESULT COSTING THE CONSUMER $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RUNS IN 4X4 AUTO ADJUSTING THE DRIVETRAIN TO WEATHER CONDITIONS OPTIMIZING THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.. THIS COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED AS A RE-CALL BY FORD AND THE COST SHOULD NOT EFFECT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 EXPLORER VEHICLES AND IS MORE SERIOUS THEN THE FIRESTONE TIRE COMPLAINT. SINCE FORD RECOGNIZES THIS DEFECTIVE MODULE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I'M SHOCKED THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT CONTROLS THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF THE 2002 EXPLORES HAS NOT ALREADY REGISTERED A RECALL. *TR