NHTSA Complaint #11089812 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

IN THE RECENT PAST BOTH REAR TIE RODS HAVE BROKEN, ONE AT A TIME WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS AT LESS THAN 18 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 27,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE WHEEL TURNS FROM STRAIGHT TO A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THIS SO FAR HAS OCCURRED WHEN BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DON REID FORD ON THE STATE OF FLORIDA CONTRACT FOR LIGHT TRUCKS - 4WD. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK AS WELL AS ON THE 196 MILES OF DIRT ROADS WITHIN THE ST. JOHNS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. THIS VEHICLE DESIGN WAS CHANGED IN 2016 TO A TAURUS CHASSIS WITH WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS TIE RODS AND CV AXLES IN THE FRONT AND REAR. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SUITABLE FOR PART TIME OFF ROAD USE. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHILE I AM TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO WORK THAT ONE OF THESE REAR TIE RODS WILL BREAK AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH OR INJURY TO MYSELF.