NHTSA Complaint #10630706 — 2004 FORD F-150

WHILE STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP NOTICED A RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END. I HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID REPLACED, U-JOINTS CHECKED, AND BRAKES INSPECTED. (HAVE HAD THIS DONE 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS)I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM DURING A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND WHO HAPPENED TO BE A RETIRED FORD MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE WAS WITH FORD AS A MECHANIC HE REPLACED OR REBUILT NUMEROUS REAR SLIP DIFFERENTIALS, AND THAT IT WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2004 F-150, AND THAT I SHOULD INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER. I WENT ON-LINE AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004 F-150 REGARDING REAR SLIP DIFFERENTIAL \WITH VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR PROBLEMS. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A VERY LONG TIME, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT EXCEPT TO OFFER LAME EXCUSES AND CHARGE EXORBITANT PRICES FOR REPAIRS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR END LOCKING UP AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN REQUIRED? *TR