NHTSA Complaint #10347250 — 2007 FORD EXPEDITION

IT WAS 5/5/09, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON A 'CHIP AND SEALED' STREET. SHE PARKED IT ON THE SHOULDER AND WENT TO SOME YARD SALES. SHE RETURN TO THE VEHICLE AND WAS BACKING IT, TO TURN AROUND. THE ENGINE CHANGED SOUND AND BEGAN TO REV UP. [SHE WAS NOW HALF ITS LENGTH UP A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY.] WITH HER FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE SHE IMMEDIATELY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO A FORWARD. THE ENGINE WAS REALLY LOUD AND REVVING UP WITH THE REAR TIRES SQUEALING, AND SPINNING, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TIRES BEGIN TO SLIDE ON THE GRAVEL OF THE 'CHIP AND SEAL' AND THEN SLIDE ON THE CRUSHED ROCK OF THE NEXT DRIVE WAY. WITH HER FOOT STILL FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND NOW BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE LUNGES AND SCOOTS FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL ON ITS OWN, PLOWING INTO A BRICK MAIL BOX. AS THE VEHICLE IS PLOWING OVER THE MAIL BOX, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY IDLES DOWN AND THE VEHICLE STOPS MOVING. MY WIFE HAD NEVER REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDDLE UNTIL AFTER SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE BRICK MAIL BOX WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED COSTING AND THE EXPEDITION HAD DAMAGE TO THE GRILL AND FRONT FASCIA. THE COUNTY SHERIFF WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 3 WKS THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND DECLARED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR