NHTSA Complaint #10297689 — 2006 FORD F-250 SD

I HAVE A 2006 FORD F250 2 WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK WITH 41,500 MILES ON IT. WHILE ON A TRIP, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SEIZED UP REQUIRING IT TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE INNER RACE OF THE BEARING WAS GALLED (WELDED) ONTO THE SPINDLE REQUIRING NOT ONLY REPLACEMENT OF THE BEARINGS BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE SPINDLE. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO CHECKED FOR DAMAGE AND FOUND TO BE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED. NORMALLY, FRONT BEARINGS LAST IN EXCESS OF 100,000 MILES WITHOUT SERVICE. IF I WERE TO KEEP DRIVING ON THE SEIZED BEARING, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY KILLED SOMEONE. FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN #06129 AND NHTSA #10020174 WHICH COVERS "NOISY" FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS AND INSTALL MOISTURE AND DUST SHIELDS WHICH DO NOT COME WITH A NEW VEHICLE AT THE CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THE REASON WHY THE BEARINGS FAILED IS BECAUSE WATER INTRUDES INTO THE BEARING AREA AND WASHES AWAY OR DILUTES THE GREASE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL SINCE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS WHETHER FORD DID THEM OR NOT. THEY ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR SINCE IT WAS NOT DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR