NHTSA Complaint #10493303 — 2001 FORD EXPEDITION

VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD EXPEDITION XLT 4X4 PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL 2001 AND OWNED CONTINUOUSLY BY CURRENT OWNER, ONLY SERVICED AT HUB FORD OF COLCHESTER, CT AND GIRARD FORD OF NORWICH CT. FAILURE OF SUSPENSION/DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A HIGHWAY ONRAMP. BOTH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD CORROSION THAT LED TO COMPLETE DISCONNECTION FROM REAR AXLE. WITH NO SUPPORTING LOWER CONTROL ARMS, THE REAR TRANSAXLE SHIFTED DURING VEHICLE ACCELERATION. SHIFTING OF TRANSAXLE THEN INTRODUCED EXCESSIVE FORCE ON DRIVE SHAVE UJOINT (REAR TRANSAXLE UJOINT) WHICH CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE AND DISCONNECTION OF REAR DRIVESHAFT. VEHICLE'S 4WD SYSTEM ENGAGED, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BE SAFELY GUIDED ONTO THE AVAILABLE OFFRAMP (CLOVERLEAF HIGHWAY INTERSECTION) AND INTO SAFE RECOVERY LOCATION FOR TOWING BY AAA TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. GIRARD FORD REPAIR ESTIMATES COSTS FOR ALL FOUR CORRODED CONTROL ARMS TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1500. SHATTERED PARTS OR DEBRIS ALSO CUT REAR BRAKE LINE LEADING TO LOSS OF REAR BRAKING AND ALL BRAKE FLUID LOSS - CAUSING ADDITIONAL INDIRECT REPAIR COSTS. OWNER IS RECOVERING CORRODED CONTROL ARMS AFTER REPAIR FOR EVIDENCE TO BE USED IN ANY NHTSA INVESTIGATION. NHTSA IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE OWNER/COMPLAINANT OF VEHICLE FOR ACCESS TO FAILED PARTS FOR INVESTIGATION SUPPORT. *TR