NHTSA Complaint #10429517 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

I WENT TO INSTALL A PAIR OF STEP BARS ON MY TRUCK, AND NOTICED THAT MY BODY BUSHINGS LOOKED ODD. I TOUCHED ONE OF THEM AND IT CRUMBLED, AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED AT LEAST 3 SETS ON EACH SIDE WERE IN THE SAME SHAPE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PLAN, OR RECALL. I TOLD THEM I WAS A MECHANIC AND DID NOT NEED TO GO TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BODY BUSHINGS IN SUCH STATE ON ANY NAME BRAND OR MODEL VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THEY WERE 20 OR SO YEARS OLD. I HAVE SEEN THEM FLATTEN OUT, BUT NEVER DETERIORATE. I FEEL SURE THAT THE MATERIAL USED IS OF POOR QUALITY. BY NOT REPLACING THEM, THERE IS A RISK OF BODY CRACKING OR OTHER FAILURES. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT I AM NOT ALONE, AND FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY JUST DONT KNOW IT. *KB