NHTSA Complaint #10592116 — 2000 FORD EXPEDITION

TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IN THE SUBDIVISION, MY SON WITH A FRIEND IN THE VEHICLE HEARD A SLIGHT CLUNK, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. HE KEPT DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE "FELT A LITTLE STRANGE" HE REPORTED. HE PULLED OUT ONTO A MAJOR ROADWAY AND HEARD ANOTHER LOUD NOISE, BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING, SO HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS HE COULD, TO DISCOVER THAT THE REAR END ALMOST FELL OFF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH AWD. THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT GOT PULLED OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE, DROPPED TO THE GROUND STARTED TO DRAG. IT SNAPPED OFF, BREAKING THE PINION SHAFT, WHEN PULLING OFF THE ROAD. THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAD RUSTED AWAY AND SNAPPED OFF. I LIVE IN THE RUST BELT IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS, AND EXPECT THINGS LIKE DOORS AND FENDERS TO RUST, BUT A MAJOR PIECE OF THE SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE WHOLE CAR TOGETHER? REALLY? DOESN'T THAT DESERVE AT LEAST A HEADS UP MENTION IN THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE MANUAL, OTHER THAN AT INTERVALS HAVE THE SUSPENSION CHECKED? THE MANUAL PRETTY CLEARLY DESCRIBES CHECKING THINGS AT RECOMMENDED INTERVALS, AND I'VE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE LOCAL (NOW CLOSED MERCURY DEALER NEARBY). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, AND I'VE OWNED IT FOR 12 YEARS. I'M EXTREMELY THANKFUL NOBODY WAS INJURED. FORD CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON THIS ISSUE. IF IT HAD 200,000 MILES AND WASN'T EVER CARED FOR OR GARAGE KEPT, THEN I'D BE A LITTLE LESS SURPRISED!! AS OF THIS WRITING I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CAR FIXED YET BECAUSE IT WILL INVOLVE GETTING THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL REBUILT. I HAD PLANNED ON KEEPING THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHOLE LOT LONGER THAN 70,000 MILES. I'M BEING FORCED TO SHOP FOR ANOTHER FAMILY BUS DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING ON FORDS PART. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THEM SEND AT LEAST A NOTICE TO GET THESE $100 CONTROL ARMS REPLACED BEFORE; IT NOW WILL COST $2000 TO MAKE THE VEHICLE DRIVABLE AGAIN. *JS