NHTSA Complaint #10269065 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IS A UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FOR EXPLORERS FROM 2002-2005. THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR REAR DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING THEM TO WHINE LOUDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN SOME CASES THEY WILL LEAK AND IN EXTREME CASES EVEN SEIZE UP CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVERS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ARTICLES ON THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND I MYSELF HAVE HAD MY DIFFERENTIAL PARTS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. I STILL EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT "WHINE" IN THE REAR END AROUND 60MPH, NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE BUT STILL THERE HOWEVER. APPARENTLY WHEN THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD DEALERS WILL ONLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IF THEY ARE PAID TO DO SO. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THIS SITUATION AND HAVE A RECALL SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS ADVISING THEM THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. IT IS A DOWNRIGHT ANNOYING,COSTLY AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AS THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH UNHAPPY OWNERS AT THE WHEEL. MYSELF INCLUDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR