NHTSA Complaint #10335905 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

2002 FORD EXPLORER DIFFERENTIAL SUBJECT TO INCREASED WHINING @ 85000 MILES AND RAPIDLY FAILED OVER THE COURSE OF ONE WEEK @ 99,000 MILES. R SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED AT SAME TIME. DIFFERENTIAL HAS LOCKED UP AND DRIVE GEAR JUMPS GEAR TEETH DURING ANY TURN. DEALER CLAIMS THEY'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE BUT LOCATED A FORD 'FIX KIT' VERY QUICKLY SO AM VERY SUSPICIOUS OF THEIR STATEMENT. I PULLED THE EXPLORER FROM THE DEALER FOR SECOND OPINION AND REP TOLD ME TO 'PARK IT' AND NEVER TO DRIVE IT UNTIL REPAIRED DUE TO POTENTIAL OF HIGHWAY LOCKUP WITH EXTREME CONSEQUENCES. FORD IS HIDING THIS DEFECT FROM THE PUBLIC. HAVE JUST FILED COMPLAINT WITH FORD ONLINE WHO ARE REPLYING WITH FORM LETTER EMAIL REFUSALS TO HELP . DRIVE GEAR FAILURE ON ANY VEHICLE IS UNHEARD OF, AND SHOULD NEVER FAIL. VEHICLE SITS ON A TRUCK CHASSIS AND SHOULD BE STURDIER THAN IT IS. *TR