NHTSA Complaint #10352173 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

STEERING issue reported to NHTSA

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Crash

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10352173
Vehicle	2003 FORD EXPLORER
Component	STEERING
Date of Incident	August 23, 2010
Date Filed	August 26, 2010
Mileage	101,000 miles
Crash	Yes
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	VA

Consumer Description

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 38 IN SC, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND THEN THE ENTIRE SUV STARTED SHAKING AND WE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME OFF AND WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I SAW THAT 2 OF THE 5 LUG POSTS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 3 WERE BENT. IN ADDITION THE MOLDING AROUND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT SAFELY THE SUV HAS BEEN TOWED AND IS WITH AN AUTO CENTER FOR REPAIRS AND BODY WORK. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE YET FORD HAS NOT HAD ANY RECALLS DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU SEARCH "2003 FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS" IT WILL COME UP. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THEIR VEHICLES TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANOTHER WHEEL. *TR

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