NHTSA Complaint #10290126 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON ALL 2002 FORD EXPLORERS AND THE FREQUENCY IN WHICH THEY BREAK OR COME LOSE CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE ON 5 OCCASIONS, THE LAST OF WHICH FORD REFUSES TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT BEARING BROKE WHILE I WAS ON AN HIGHWAY OVERPASS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL NEARLY COMES OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE JERKS. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2008 WHEN MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THIS TIME I WAS THANKFULLY NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY BUT ONCE AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR THIS TIME I REQUESTED THAT THE REAR BEARINGS BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THOSE TWO BEARINGS ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NOW, IN OCTOBER 2009, ONCE AGAIN MY FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS LOSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BEARINGS ARE FAULTY AND THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER JUST SAYS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY ALSO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR AS IT IS OUT OF THEIR 12 MONTH OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE FOUND 28 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THIS IS JUST ONE WEBSITE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE BEARINGS ON 2002 EXPLORERS. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED FACTORY PART THAT USUALLY DOES NOT REQUIRE REPAIR AND I AM ON MY FIFTH REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. *TR